It’s so hot … I am just melting here,” complains Kareena Kapoor about the Bhopal swelter. It’s 8pm, but Mrs Saif Ali Khan is clearly feeling the heat. That, of course, does not stop her from looking gorgeous in fitted denims and white kurti. On the set of Prakash Jha’s Satyagraha, for which she has been shooting in the company of Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Arjun Rampal and Manoj Bajpai, Kareena settled down for a quick chat with t2.

You are known to take your time to greenlight a film but you apparently said ‘yes’ to Satyagraha almost immediately…

I have worked with almost all the top directors we have today. Just Prakashji was left. We were trying for many years to work together, but no script was actually working out. When Satyagraha came to me, the story was such that I couldn’t refuse. It’s very topical… especially in today’s times when we talk about corruption and how democracy is being held to ransom. I am playing a journalist, a political journalist. The only regret I have is that I haven’t been able to ask a film personality: ‘Aap shaadi kab kar rahein hain?’ (Rolls her eyes and laughs out loud).

But that surely isn’t a question you are asked anymore!

(Laughs) No, but imagine the trauma of hearing it hurled at you all these years?! Now I am being asked when I am going to have kids! Jab woh bhi ho jaayenge toh pata nahin kya poochhenge? (Laughs out loud)

Maybe whether you will continue to do films after having kids?

Arre, that’s something I will never leave. Films are my first love.

What can you tell us about your role in Satyagraha?

She’s a modern girl who believes very strongly about a range of issues that the country is facing, be it corruption, the death of democracy, violence against women…. She has a mind of her own and wants to do her bit for the country. This is the first time I am playing a journalist and I have tried to bring in the confidence and spirit of a journalist of today.

One thing that I told Prakashji when we were discussing the look for my character was that I wasn’t going to wear khadi kurtas or tie my hair in a plait. Aajkal ke journalists heroine se kam nahin dikhte hain! We’ve kept it very real, though. She is constantly on the field reporting from a district in which Amitji’s (Amitabh Bachchan) character lives.

Any inspirations for your role?

She has the spirit of Barkha Dutt (NDTV) and the confidence of Christiane Amanpour (CNN). She’s the kind of journalist who will nearly lose her life in a bomb blast, yet stand unflinching out there to report on it. No matter what the circumstances are, she’s still out there doing her job.

How has it been sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan after a long gap?

I last worked with Amitji in K3G (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...) and Dev. It’s been 10 years since then. As always, it’s been a pleasure working with him. Despite the heat and other trying conditions, we managed to shoot bahut hansi mazaak mein. He’s such an institution… it’s always such an honour to share screen space with him.

Prakash Jha is known to be a hard taskmaster…

(Smiles) That’s an image that he has always had. It’s not easy when you are shooting with 2,000 junior artistes, especially artistes who have been taken from among the common people in Bhopal. But Prakashji is really loved and respected here in Bhopal. I think he has as much clout in Bhopal as any minister would! Satyagraha is a film of epic proportions and the reason why we have been able to shoot it so smoothly so far is because Prakashji is so loved here. He’s always made films that are socially relevant… whether it is Apaharan or Gangaajal, and Satyagraha will also be a slightly heavy film considering the issues we are dealing with. He’s respected for the kind of films he makes. I have seen many of his films, but personally I really liked Gangaajal.

Shooting in Bhopal must be special for you too, since this is in a sense your sasuraal...

(Smiles) Hamidullah Khan, who was the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal, was Saif’s great grandfather. I feel very good because everyone respects me a lot here and the respect has grown even more after marriage. For everyone here, I am their daughter-in-law and it’s a lovely feeling to be looked upon and treated so affectionately. When I shoot here, I always feel that I am shooting at home.

Talking of sasuraal, we have to ask you about your equation with Sharmila Tagore…

She’s amazing. She’s one of the most elegant and graceful women in India. The way she carries herself with so much dignity. I think she not only lends respectability to our family, but also every woman in this country.

Finally, when it comes to choosing a film, how much does Saif’s opinion count?

Well, we do discuss our work. Which husband and wife wouldn’t? But then, we know when to give each other space and allow the other to make decisions. But suggestions are always welcome because both Saif and I know that we only have each other’s best interests in heart.

Priyanka Roy

Which is your favourite Kareena Kapoor role? Tellt2@abp.in