(From top) Katrina and with Akshay in Humko Deewana Kar Gaye; with Salman in Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya

She’s moving. Katrina is not only going ahead in her career, she’s also got her own place. “I recently had it done up. And I’m quite excited about it.” She’s definitely one of the most talked-about newcomers in Bollywood. Pretty and focused Katrina Kaif is doing some of the best plums going.

And now comes her acid test. “It’s been quite a journey?yes. Humko Deewana Kar Gaye is, of course, director Raj Kanwar’s vision. I hope he’s happy with what I’ve done. My other films so far were all like a learning process. I never went through an acting school. I’m still in the process of finding a footing. This film is crucial. Because here I’ve a pivotal character to play. I’m glad it came along after some films. Earlier, I’d have never understood the responsibility of shouldering a film like Humko Deewana?. At this point I’m a little more experienced as an actress.”

She was very happy with the environment on the sets. “Everyone doing Humko Deewana?was so relaxed. The atmosphere on the sets was easy-going. I could express my views freely. Sometimes, you’re made to feel self-conscious on the sets. And that takes away from the joy of playing a character, getting into another life. Raj was a great help. We all worked tremendously hard. As for me, I’ve put in everything I could specially in the second half. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

David Dhawan’s Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya must have been a cake-walk in comparison to the heavy-duty drama in Humko Deewana?. “In fact,” she yawns on a sleepy Friday afternoon, “I’m off to Canada to shoot with David for Partner. No, I wouldn’t say Maine Pyaar?was easy. There I was, a complete novice, trying to get my bearings right?trying to understand the industry, the way it functions. This time I’ll be far more relaxed with David’s unit.”

She returns to her current favourite topic. “Often doing the scenes for Humko Deewana? I’d stop and try to get into the skin of the character. Raj was very clear about what he wanted. And I tried to follow his instructions as best as possible. I think I got the emotions right. I tried to bring a part of me into the character.”

She is currently riding high with assignments with the topmost leading men. “I’m happy with the way my career is going. I never had any expectations. I never planned anything. I’m being given some great opportunities. And it’s up to me to make the best of those opportunities I’m getting. It’s not just about being professional. I want to add something to every film and role that I do. I’m making sure I’m all there on my sets, giving 120 per cent of my concentration, trying to learn and absorb as much as possible from every costar. To be given supportive costars is a special blessing for comedies where everything depends on the rapport and timing.”

She’s all praise for her costars understandably. “Everyone is supportive. They’re constantly trying see the larger picture. They know the film works only when everything else does. I’ve shot with the Deols for Anil Sharma’s Apne. And they’re wonderful. I can’t say much about Sunny. But Bobby I know for some years. And Dharamji is really sweet.”

Katrina is happy making space in an all-male film like Apne. “I’ve a good feeling about the film. Half the battle is won because a real-life family plays the family in the plot. The emotions look real. The director Anil (Sharma) is shooting the film on a grand scale. And, yes, I’m central to the dramatic conflict between Bobby and Dharamji.”

She rises to the defence of the Apne director. “I think Anil’s last film (Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo) didn’t work for some reason. But I saw the first-half. It’s shot extremely well. I feel Apne is shaping up very well?so’s Anees Bazmi’s comedy, Welcome. He’s a writer himself, so knows exactly what he wants, and how to get it. We shot a schedule in Dubai recently. I’m sure it’ll be a crisp comedy. Working with Akshay, Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar is a lot of fun. Every time I’m with senior artistes I observe them closely and try to learn from them. From Anil you can learn a lot about dedication. He’s one of the hardest-working professionals in the world,” she laughs.

Katrina isn’t really surprised that a looker like her is getting more than just cosmetic roles. “I was pretty sure that they’d see me for what I am. Sure, to begin with I was bound to be perceived as a face. But I knew people would eventually relate to the real me, who was bound to show up in my performances. And the real me is not just a glamorous person. That’s to do with the profession. I’m a simple home-bound girl in real life. I live in my own dream world. Most of the time I’m trying to cope with the fact that reality doesn’t quite match up with image. But I’m learning and coping. Everything can’t be pretty and perfect in real life.”

She’s off to Canada to shoot a song with Salman, Govinda and Lara in Partner. Ask her about her unusual pairing with Govinda and Katrina protests, “It’s actually a very funny film. The casting will make complete sense once people see the film. For this plot, this is exactly right. I’m 2000 per cent convinced. Then there’s Abbas-Mustan’s film with Saif in September. Abbas-Mustan’s films are always intricate and interesting.”

She’s happy with what’s on her plate. “I recently got three weeks off because of delayed schedules. I got the time to give some attention to myself. I finished work on my new house. I’ve just finished doing it up. It gets slightly hectic when you’ve to leap from one long schedule to another. To be honest, I’m enjoying my work. I feel I’m in happy position.”

Does she miss her modelling days? “Not really. I worked very hard as a model for two-and-a-half years doing ramp shows, ads. A modelling career for a girl starts at 16 and ends at about 24. In between I went to college. I think I’ve grown up, as everyone does. I want everything to go as smoothly as possible. I’m an outgoing person. But I’m an extremely sensitive and private person. I need that little bit of space for myself even with close friends and family. I don’t know what the future holds. I only know I’ve to be true to my work. Tomorrow anything can happen. You never know. This is a very unpredictable business. Right now I’ve knots in my stomach for Humko Deewana Kar Gaye...”