Bollywood star Katrina Kaif has made a statement which could blow up into a controversy.
In an interview with Delhi Times, the Bollywood hotie was asked a question about her being a half Indian.
The question was: "And that's why you've been touchy sometimes about people making snide remarks about your passport, ethnicity, surname?
Katrina replied: "Yes. Because people are insinuating that there is something wrong in it! Please understand that I am not - I assure you, I promise you - I am not the only half Asian half British person alive on this planet!
"My passport's copies are with every news channel in this country - don't ask me how they got them. Everyone has my name, which is my mother's name, on the passport.
"It's never been hidden, that, or my date of birth, or where I was born - I was born in Hong Kong, for all those who';ve missed that part of the breaking news - and I just find it so funny. Am I supposed to be ashamed that I am half Asian, half European? I mean, no! Rahul Gandhi is half Indian, half Italian. So? I am very proud of what I am and I just don't understand the confusion - as if I'm trying to hide the fact that my mother's British. Why would I?"
From the lack of a father in her life,to the lack of a godfather in the industry,Katrina Kaif opened up to DT with both her strength and her vulnerability.
Q: You were a little unsettled,lots of questions facing you,six months back
Katrina: I think its sort of settled down now.I am at,lets say,a calm place in my life right now.There are times in life when you are going through real highs or lows in terms of emotions,the waters are really choppy.And then there are times when the waters are still.Theyre just going,you have to let life unfold as it will,and these are the times I think that you have to trust in God,that there is Someone watching over you.That life will bring to you what is meant for you.And you go on.
Q: You're happier and much more settled or at least thats how it looks.
Katrina: I am,I am.Much,much more.Yeah,it was very hectic.I realised that you can go through times of extreme happiness,but if that happiness is not coming from a deeply rooted place,you will also be going through extreme lows of sadness.And that kind of roller-coaster I feel is worse than a slightly safe,calm-ish feel of maybe Im not extremely happy,but at least youre at peace and at comfort;its a little more settled.I think thats better than going through extremely tumultuous kinds of equations,and you hold on to them for the moments of extreme happiness,but there are so many more moments of extreme lowness and sadness.I think thats when you should take it as a warning sign and realize that this is not inherently grounded,and its not coming from a healthy,nurturing place,that its not good for you.
Q: Those people who,for a while,have attributed your professional standing to personal equations,would have expected you to be a little unstable professionally once there was no supporting superstar.Do you think theyve been disappointed
Katrina: See,this is where you realize that you have to learn to separate the gossip and the tabloid journalism from what the reality is.Thats where you have to have confidence and belief in yourself,and know that whatever people say,no personal equations and friendships can help you in this industry.
The success of a film is in no ones hands but Gods.No support of one star or one director or one producer can make any individual actor a star.You have to connect with the audience;the audience have to like you.That is something that cannot be manipulated or fought for or tried for.Either they like you or they dont.And you have to know that that is the reason.Gods been kind,youve worked hard,whatever be the reason,but it is in the hands of the audience whether you are if you can use the word a star,a popular actor.That is it.Thats where you have to realize that those kinds of things (star backing) are empty conversations.There is no such thing like that.
And like you rightly said,its a very good time for me right now.Its always been my dream to do a Yash Chopra romantic film.I remember watching Veer Zaara in 2004 and thinking,I want to be part of that kind of cinema and thats happened now.So I think I have a lot to be happy for.
Q: You said in our earlier interview that till New York,you really didnt feel part of the process of the making of films,didnt really enjoy yourself.Now,the impression one gets is that youre more comfortable,that people are happy to have you with them just as you,without the hyphens or the associations You seem to be working with people who want to hear what you have to say rather than you just reading your lines and moving on.
Katrina: Yeah,yeah.I think thats a very correct observation.I think that I am pretty fortunate that the people I am with now they do not always agree with me,they do not always go by what I say but they do want to hear what I say.And that is something I worked hard for.Maybe not for every topic,but there are certain areas where I feel that because I have observed people around me who are very senior,and I have actually put an effort into understanding it.Areas like,whether its promotions or marketing,I can input a certain bit.
If youre working with people who dont care about or dont appreciate anything you do,thats going to be a bit disheartening.
