I HAVE MOVED ON FROM MY RELATIONSHIP WITH SAIF

ROZA CATALANO tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that she would slap if a person asks her to sleep with him in exchange for a role

Is it true that you are keen on learning the oldest form of martial arts in China shortly?

Yes. I am fit and I want to become fitter as days are passing by. As a kick-boxing freak for the past 4 years and a trained martial arts person, I am now gung ho about trying my hands in the oldest and the best form of martial arts- Wushu Kung-Fu from Anan Henan in China.

How do you feel when complimented with epithets like sexy, hot etc?

Though these epithets are compliments used by men with a sexy connotation. I confess that I am used to passes from men, especially in India. If men do not make a pass at you, who will? But I do not give any man the vibe.

Did you come all the way to India from Africa, just because you fell in love with Saif?

Contrary to the notion that I had an ulterior motive and wanted to pursue my career in Bollywood by latching out to Saif, though I used to do theatre in Switzerland and also walk the ramp, I came to India just in pursuit of my heart, because love for Saif dictated every move of mine. For three years of my life, I did not do anything and just took the back seat by stepping behind Saif.

Is it true that you did two ads as well as anchored a talk show when you were with Saif?

I did two ads with Saif just for a lark when the producers of the ad requested me to be a part of the ad campaign. I also shot for two episodes of a show for Star as an anchor, but the channel decided not to shoot further episodes of the show. It was around the same time that Saif and I split and I was quite crest-fallen and had to get over her trauma and fend for myself. I have always believed that if one door closes, yet another will open for you.

How did get over the trauma?

I felt wounded but at the same time, I realized that it was important for me to understand what is going on around me and stand for what I believe. In the difficult period that ensued, sat back, felt the pain and started re-discovering myself, by setting out to learn more about myself which I did not know at all earlier. Though it took some time, it was not difficult for me to get back on my feet. I think it is because of the way I approach people and life in general. It is my persona. I used to walk in areas which were dangerous. If you have an attitude, where you respect others, others in turn will also respect you.

Have you lost the belief in love?

Just because I had a failed relationship; it does not mean that I have lost my belief in love. I have big respect for love and for myself too. However, I have realized one thing for sure. That is I cannot indulge in something in which I can give 100 percent of myself. At the risk of sounding to be very selfish, I need to give love to myself first. I believe that everything will come at the right time.

What did you learn from your relationship with Saif?

I do not like to talk about my relationship with Saif because I have moved on and that is a closed chapter in my life. You learn from a relationship and move ahead if it does not work for some reason or the other. You should not start hating love, but protect it, because love is what makes living worthwhile. I also do not believe in blaming any one or pointing out fingers. I do not think any woman can take something away from you if you are not giving. I do not like to play the victim.

What is your take on the syndrome of the casting couch in the film industry?

I am of the opinion that every individual has to know what he or she is. I have heard a lot about the syndrome of the casting couch in film industry. I do not believe in barter system. I”d perhaps slap if some one were to ask me to sleep with him in exchange for a role. I like having my own space. I guess, if you know you are capable, then you know your talent and will have your own self esteem.

Do you feel handicapped as an actor, because of your white skin?

I do not want to get typed as yet another item girl in Bollywood, just because I have white skin. I do not want to be slotted as a foreign bimbette. The reason I did only item numbers mostly is that the roles which I was offered till now were not substantial at all. Music makes me feel closer to God. I am sure after people watch me in films like Nakshatra, Monopoly, Ek Second Jo Zindagi Badal De etc, I will be approached for roles which are written keeping me and my talent in mind. For the last two years, I have been brushing my knowledge of Hindi. Now that I am in India, I am not going to give up easily till I make it in Bollywood, like Katrina Kaif. Kat is amazing. Success stories of women like Kat inspire me, but I am here not to compete with Kat or any other actress but with myself. Kat has proved that movies do not have borders.

Kareena Kapoor poses topless with Saif

Kareena Kapoor poses topless even as her boyfriend Saif Ali Khan's heart bleeds profusely. No, the couple has not split. We are talking about the poster of their upcoming release Kurbaan.

Well, Kurbaan poster is the talk of the day. It has Kareena with bare back and Saif's chest bleeding profusely. The bold poster with topless Kareena facing bare-chested Saif has caught the eyes of the people.

The film is set against the backdrop of terrorism and is said to have some steamy scenes. It has real life couple Saif and Kareena in the lead roles and also features actors like Om Puri and Vivek Oberoi. Karan Johar produces it and Rensil D’Silva is making debut as a director. It is scheduled for release on November 27.

Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are in Udaipur for special day

Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are in Udaipur the city of lakes to celebrate Kareena Kapoor’s 29th birthday as well as Eid on 21th September and are prepairing to make it very special. Kareena Kapoor looked classy in a black sleeveless top and large shades, while Saif Ali Khan sported a white kurta with a trendy blue scarf on his head.

The couple’s admirers could be seen waiting eagerly for them at the Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur since Saturday morning. The eager crowd got too excited, much to the discomfort of the security personnel of the actors.

A source added that ,Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, come to the city to participate in a Kingfisher magazine photo session, will reportedly celebrate Kareena Kapoor ‘s 29th birthday at their hotel. However, the couple is maintaining a low profile on how they would celebrate the day and who would be in the guest list.

As long as loving beau Saif is with Kareena on her special day, actually not prefer to be disturbed by anyone and celebrate the Saif Ali Khan’s latest hit Love Aaj Kal

''I may well have moved on'' - Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan is back from his USA and Europe holidays and is ecstatic to know about the terrific continued box office run of LOVE AAJ KAL. While he was pretty much in the know-how of the film's performance even while on the move, Saif doesn't mind all the excitement coming his way. With the film turning out to be the biggest grosser of the year so far, it definitely would mean a long journey for him ever since his AASHIQ AWARA days, isn't it?

'Yes, it indeed has been a long journey', says Saif thoughtfully, 'What I have learnt during all these years is that one should be committed in life. If you have decided to do something and are aiming well for it then you should go all the distance. Yes, there will be setbacks but don't loose hopes because of that. Stick to your dreams, your beliefs, and you would see how things can turn and change.'

Saif agrees that there was a time in his career when he could well have given up due to successive setbacks in his professional career. He hadn't tasted success for long before films like HUM SAATH SAATH HAI, KACHCHE DHAAGE and of course cult classic DIL CHAHTA HAI happened. It was a point of no return from there and today he is comfortably staring at being one amongst the Top-5 actors that we have in Bollywood today.

'Who knows if I had some other options in those weak moments in my life, even I would have moved on', reflects Saif, 'Thankfully, I didn't. I learnt from my mistakes and tried my best not to repeat them. This is why today when a film like LOVE AAJ KAL works for me, I go all out and enjoy because you never know, tomorrow you may falter again.'

The fifth spot: It's Saif versus Shahid!

For quite a while now, the top four positions amongst the most commercially successful actors have been occupied by Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar, with all the four trying their level best to topple each other from their respective positions. But the fifth spot that was vacated by Salman Khan, after a series of flops lies unoccupied and vying for it are Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor.

The present and ex of the vivacious Kareena Kapoor are fighting it out (not literally!) at the turnstile. Round one was won by Saif Ali Khan, whose LOVE AAJ KAL managed a sterling show at the ticket window when it released to a tumultuous response all over. Not to be undone, Shahid Kapoor came back with a bang via KAMINEY, opening to packed houses (despite Swine flu scare) and extremely positive reviews. So, its checkmate with both the stars with one success each. However, Saif still holds the edge as his LOVE AAJ KAL is now a clear hit plus, while KAMINEY is an average plus, netting around 36 crores in two weeks from India, but has all the necessary fuel to propel it to a higher status. So, the fight continues and it will be pretty interesting to see who wins in the end.

However, not to be ignored is Salman Khan, whose WANTED looks all set for a big start this Eid, followed by MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA, which is also looking good. And he can bounce back to recapture his number five spot.

Saif explains controversial Airtel TV ad

Saif and Kareena's latest ad for Airtel TV is far from a wowzer! It has, in a way, achieved its objective - to create publicity. But the method remains in question.

Saif explains.

"I was a little concerned at first. I was wondering if this entire ad in the newspaper with me hunting for a missing girl could perhaps look unnecessarily sensational. However, once I saw the copy before it went for print, I was reassured that we were on the right track."

But what about the strong opinions that have followed? Not everyone has appreciated his fickle turn.

"I was worried that it should not look shallow that a guy forgets his childhood love in a matter of just a second. But then once the creative aspects of the ad were explained to me, I trusted them. Thankfully, it seems all has turned out well eventually."

The TV ad is part of the Dil Titli promo campaign and features Saif in search of a long lost love. However, Kareena's appearance, right before he finally meets the girl of his dreams, has him changing his mind about his search.

The opinion surrounding the ad remains varied and Saif's explanation hasn't really helped many to accept the storyline. Not yet.

Saif pins for his dad’s response

Saif Ali Khan would have attracted rave reviews for his ‘Love Aaj Kal’. But what matters the actor most is a small word from his father, Mansoor Ali Khan. The actor said that his father doesn’t like films much. The last film of Saif he saw was ‘Parineeta’ and he had appreciated the actor’s performance in it.

We wondered how Saif would feel about this but he seemed have said to sources, “I know dad cares a lot about me. If he doesn’t watch my films, it is only because he doesn’t like watching films per se. It is nothing personal.”

Hope the father makes his beta happy very soon and gives the movie a watch.

Saif searches for his long lost girl-friend

Saif Ali Khan is searching for “the girl I grew up with”. Yes, you are reading it right; this isn’t about the gorgeous Kareena Kapoor, his new love, but about Saif’s first love, his sweet childhood friend whom he still fondly remembers.

In one of his recent blogs, he mentions this anonymous girl with whom he has spent his childhood and later lost touch. We agree that this sounds very filmy but Saif is in search of his bachpan ka pyar and doesn’t know how he is going to find her.

The only thing Saif remembers is that he was seven when they bid adieu and after that he has never seen her. “All I have is a torn photograph of her at seven years, wearing the butterfly charm I gave her”- reads his blog. Now the Chote Nawab just wants to meet her and has no idea how she looks after so many years. Saif, however, refuses to give up his quest and is adamant that he will find her one day because,“the heart wants what it wants,” writes Saif.

Whether his lost girlfriend will remember him or not worries Saif and that’s how his blog ends ‘in suspense’.

Now, we are also curious to know, who is she?

Saif Ali Khan turns 39

“This is the biggest hit in my 20-year-old career,’’ he says, “but I’m very grounded because somewhere at the back of my mind I have these niggling thoughts about the law of averages catching up. All that blah on ‘what goes up must come down’.’’

Absolutely unperturbed by the mixed reactions to his film, Saif says, “There are some people who didn’t like the film. Earlier on it would have bothered me since this is my first production. But I think overall you have to understand that this medium is open to criticism and people must be allowed to express their opinion. Now I can take the barbs on my chin. To make everyone happy is a tough call.’’

And to critics who felt Jab We Met — director Imtiaz Ali’s earlier project with Kareena Kapoor — was better, Saif says, “I myself loved JWM when I saw it for the second time. It was a younger, very entertaining film that dealt with two people who ran away from home and found each other. My film is like an older wine. It is different.’’ He’s spending his birthday with Kareena in the US. Is there something special he’d like tomorrow? “Yes, I have given my list of electronic toys to people who are close to me,’’ he says. At 39, Saif is still a boy at heart, and films apart, toys and a certain Ms. KK do make his world go around.

Kareena Loves To Sleep With Saif

Hold, before you draw any conclusion, let me clarify that Kareena Kapoor wanted boyfriend Saif Ali Khan to be the last person she must see before going to bed. Off late, she has made this revelation that she can not sleep with out looking Saif ’s face at night.

But Kareena knows very well that it is impossible before marriage and that she has to wait till then. At the same time, she admits that Saif is not the first face that she gets to see when opens her eyes in the morning but it is her yoga teacher that breaks her sleep and wishes good morning.

Kareena Kapoor’s first hour is completely dedicated to yoga and taking nutritious food. Every morning, she eats a plate of fruits and does yoga. Bebo says, “It is only when I have finished that do I get around to answering phones or even asking what my itinerary for the day is”.

How much Kareena is committed to yoga and physical exercises is quite understandable.