Your new Slice commercial is again the talk of town! You make an impact with all your brands but the Slice campaigns are always special. Why do you think that is the case?

I have been associated with Slice since 2008 and the association has been simply magical.... I feel myself falling in love with it more and more with every new campaign, as they’re thought out and shot so well. I love the fact that the Slice campaigns present me in a magical setting and the look is always so natural yet very different. They always manage to transport me to another world!

Are you part of the ideation process when a new campaign is planned by a brand?

I am very particular about the products I endorse and the way the communication is designed. Usually they come up with ideas that I love. We do have discussions on how we can enhance the concept and make every campaign better than the last one. For Slice I have shot on a boat, in a rainforest and now underwater so that we could create the effect of me being inside the bottle. The minutest details are discussed. Starting from the colour of my outfit to my hair to the visuals they have imagined, everything is visually presented. The current commercial, for instance, is directed by Cannes Gold-winning director Prakash Varma and shot by renowned Hollywood cinematographer Victoria Turpin who specialises in underwater shoot.

Katrina with Shah Rukh

You have shot underwater before, for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara...

You can say I am now an underwater expert! I played a diving instructor in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and now this commercial was shot underwater. However, this time I did not have any diving gear or oxygen; all my shots were natural as we wanted a magical look for the ad film. It is quite challenging to look so calm, relaxed and emote for the camera underwater but I think am quite comfortable with it now and enjoyed the whole experience. When I see the ad now, I know all the hard work was completely worth it.

You were the most searched celeb on Google last year. How tough has it been to build Brand Katrina in Bollywood in a decade or so?

It feels really special to get the support of the audience, of your fans as that’s what really matters in our field of work. I think I’m in an extremely wonderful place where people appreciate my work. It has been a memorable journey over the last decade and I have loved every bit of it. Nothing in life comes easy and I have had my share of hard work and struggle. But it has been the support of my family, friends and the love of my fans that has helped me achieve what I have today.

Your two item numbers in Bodyguard (the title song) and Agneepath (Chikni Chameli) were huge hits. Don’t you feel that a film is cashing in on your popularity by just having you in a song?

I actually disagree a bit with you here. While I am extremely pleased that my contribution in both the films is recognised, films with Indian cinema’s biggest stars like Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra do not rely on one song to make them big successes. Each element in the film, each artiste and each technician contributes to a film’s success. I am happy that the films worked and I feel proud of being a part of them.

There is now a slew of foreign actresses with an India connect, from Amy Jackson to Sunny Leone, who want to follow in your footsteps. What advice do you have for them?

If you have the talent, the willingness to work hard, then why not.... It is always great to see new talent entering the film industry and I fondly remember the days when I started out. The only advice I’d give to any newcomer is that there are no shortcuts and you have to work hard and make your mark.

Katrina with Salman in Ek Tha Tiger

Ek Tha Tiger is one of the most awaited movies of the year. How has it been shooting in Cuba with Salman?

The shoot has been awesome and it is great to work with Kabir (Khan) again after New York. It is always great to work with Salman and Yash Raj Films. It is early to talk about the role as the film is still under production. We have shot in India, Ireland, Turkey and are currently shooting in Cuba. We will also be shooting for a short schedule in Thailand. The film has a very interesting plot and I am quite thrilled about the Id release.

You are also doing Yash Chopra’s next with Shah Rukh Khan. How exciting is that?

I am very excited as it is being directed by Mr Yash Chopra! He is a master craftsman who creates pure magic on screen. It is every Hindi film actress’s dream to be a Yash Chopra heroine and I am glad I am a part of his directorial venture after eight years. It is also my first film with Shah Rukh and I am looking forward to our schedule in London that will begin soon. We had a very short first schedule and while I have worked in YRF productions earlier, this was Yashji’s set! I was made to feel very comfortable by everyone around, including Shah Rukh who has done three films with Yashji before this.