• 2 years ago
In a candid chat with Pinkvilla, Katrina Kaif opens up about Tiger 3, the idea of YRF Spy Universe, the evolution of the dynamics with Salman Khan over the years, and the idea of doing a standalone action film. The actress opens up on the possibility of a crossover with SRK as Pathaan and Hrithik Roshan as Kabir in the near future and gives an update on the Sriram Raghavan-directed Merry Christmas. Katrina hopes to do a spy film with Siddharth Anand, an original action film with Ali Abbas Zafar and a love story with Kabir Khan soon. Watch full video here

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00:00 He had such a, I think, ahead of its time and forward thinking view for Tiger at that time.
00:07 There was never a discussion of it being a series then, you know.
00:10 The Tiger franchise is really close to my heart.
00:13 I know it's close to all of us, Salman, me, Adi.
00:17 All of us are very, very connected and kind of woven together with this franchise.
00:24 I don't know if I'm the OG. I'm sure there's been many people who've done action.
00:27 But for me, action and dance are two disciplines you can say that I have an affinity to.
00:34 I really want to see strong female action roles.
00:37 I'd love to do a female action franchise.
00:40 Whether it's Padhan, whether it's Kabir, whether it's Tiger.
00:43 They all have such incredible, Zoya, all the characters have got such incredible, well-written characters.
00:52 Sriram Raghavan was always on my bucket list of directors that I absolutely wanted to work with.
00:58 Can I do another Spider-Man?
01:00 You love Spider-Man.
01:01 No, I love Spider-Man.
01:02 But have you ever discussed Zoya's spin-off with Adi or anyone, any of the directors who are making it?
01:07 Hi guys, this is Zimish and welcome to Pinkvilla.
01:13 Today we have with us the biggest star of our generation, Katrina Kaif.
01:16 Welcome to Pinkvilla, Katrina.
01:17 It's lovely having you here.
01:18 Thank you. How sweet.
01:19 Katrina, first question to you is, over 240 crores in three days, how does this number feel?
01:25 It feels like a lot of India has celebrated Diwali with us, which is a wonderful feeling.
01:30 Because it's one of my favourite times of the year.
01:34 And this year having Tiger released during the Diwali festivities just made it very special.
01:41 And I think it's a Diwali I'll always remember.
01:46 A lot of nerves, a lot of excitement, but also a lot of love, a lot of warmth and it was a wonderful time.
01:54 I think the last film I had released on Diwali was...
01:57 Suryavanshi.
01:58 No, Jab Tak Hai Jaan.
02:00 Jab Tak Hai Jaan.
02:01 Yeah, I think.
02:02 Even Suryavanshi was Diwali. In pandemic, the first film to release.
02:06 I trust you, if you say so. I take your word for it.
02:10 You know, Tiger, your journey with Tiger started in 2012. From 2012 till now, how according to you, has Zoya evolved?
02:18 You know, I was actually just thinking about this that, you know, in 2012 when we started Ek Ta Tiger,
02:25 we started at that point with Kabir, who of course was a dear friend of mine.
02:30 And you kind of, I'll take the journey of Tiger and Zoya together, if that's okay.
02:35 You kind of started with these two really strong, fierce, independent individuals,
02:41 who kind of came together, but it was almost like, you know, a battle of, you could say, the sexes in a way,
02:48 because they were from two completely, you know, they were from two different countries
02:54 and there was a lot of obstacles they had to face to be together.
02:58 And to see that kind of equation and that relationship evolve from Ek Ta Tiger to Tiger Zinda Hai,
03:04 where they get married, you know, they have a child, and now to Tiger 3, it's been really interesting.
03:11 It's been fun because it's almost followed, it's almost been part of like my life, right?
03:18 So like, as my life is also going on, off screen, then, you know, you keep coming back to the Tiger films,
03:24 on screen, and their relationship and their life is also progressing and it's moving ahead.
03:30 So it's been a really wonderful journey, I think, to get to play a character like Zoya,
03:37 such a strong, well-written female character, who's doing action, which I love.
03:45 I mean, I've always admired the kind of, you know, action films, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, you know, Anne Hathaway.
03:53 I've loved those roles and I've always felt an affinity to them, like, okay, this is something
03:59 which I know is going to be the right fit for me.
04:05 So right from Ek Ta Tiger to even Tiger Zinda Hai, where we had that fantastic, you know,
04:11 Tera Noor sequence, which was so beautifully conceptualized, to then Tiger 3, where I've had these
04:18 multiple action sequences in different styles. So you're always getting to learn different types of fights
04:26 in different disciplines and it's been an incredible challenge for us to try to keep that level up there
04:34 and loved every moment of it.
04:37 But you know, like you said, you know, Tiger is probably, I think Tiger is probably the only
04:42 franchisee in Indian cinema where all three films are directed by three different filmmakers.
04:46 Kabir, Ali and Manish.
04:48 I didn't think of that.
04:49 So as an actor, how do you view each one's approach to the franchise in terms of the treatment?
04:56 So Kabir is the person who first conceptualized this whole concept, right?
05:00 You have an Indian agent, you have a Pakistani agent and this incredible love story.
05:06 So it all originated with him and I remember those conversations and I remember that journey
05:11 and it was wonderful to see that process kind of unfold.
05:16 He's an incredibly collaborative director, you know, he's so amiable.
05:21 He's always open to your ideas, to your suggestions and you always feel he's hearing you completely.
05:28 He's not just nodding his head and being like, okay, I'll do what I want.
05:32 He's really listening to you and that's one of the most wonderful things about Kabir.
05:36 And then he explains and he'll debate with you and converse with you on it.
05:40 And he had such a, I think, a head of its time and forward thinking view for Tiger at that time.
05:49 There was never a discussion of it being a series then, you know.
05:52 Then when Tiger Zinda Hai came about, that again was made with a wonderful friend of mine,
05:57 Ali Abbas Zafar, who had written the story, again, with a very, very clear vision.
06:02 I remember discussing it with him along the way as he was writing the film.
06:06 And he knew exactly what he wanted to deliver with the film.
06:12 He, again, is someone who really is strong. He knows his mind.
06:16 I think he has a natural affinity to the kind of big commercial films, you know.
06:24 I think that's his language and he excels in that language.
06:27 And Manish Sharma, I think, is someone who really gets into character, you know.
06:35 He really, really gets into the details of the character.
06:38 He wants to know the back stories. He wants to know what they're thinking.
06:41 He wants to know what made them the people they are today.
06:44 And I think that's kind of what gives this a new and a fresh spin.
06:52 Which is your favorite Tiger film? It is difficult to pick, but yeah.
06:56 It's difficult, yeah. I see it as a journey.
06:59 So, for me, it's a journey which is still ongoing.
07:03 So, I'm attached to the journey.
07:06 So, I can't give a... I can't go and retrospect and yet say anything.
07:13 Okay. Do you remember or what is it like when Adi or maybe either of the three directors
07:21 pick up the call and they're like, "We are making a new Tiger film."
07:24 What is it like? It's always very exciting.
07:27 I can remember those moments so clearly.
07:29 Except, of course, the first Ekta Tiger was not, "We're making a Tiger film."
07:33 It's just, "This is a film I have. This is an idea I have."
07:36 It's really exciting and it's wonderful when that time comes.
07:40 I think Zoya and the Tiger franchise is really close to my heart.
07:46 I know it's close to all of us. Salman, me, Adi.
07:49 All of us are very, very connected and kind of woven together with this franchise.
07:56 And it's such an exciting world.
07:59 There's so many things you can do. There's so many ways you can take the story forward.
08:04 And now with the entrance into the spy universe, all these different characters.
08:08 It's such an exciting platform and I think there's only...
08:14 You can only go up from here. There's so many places to go.
08:20 And Katrina, you are the OG of action when it comes to the Hindi film industry.
08:24 How do you view the action genre and how much do you enjoy performing those stunts?
08:29 Because, you know, from Ekta Tiger to Zinda Hai and now Tiger 3,
08:32 you're spectacular in all those action set pieces.
08:35 I don't know if I'm the OG. I'm sure there's been many people who've done action.
08:40 But for me, action and dance are two disciplines you can say that I have an affinity to.
08:47 I really, really enjoy it and I love doing action and dance for one reason.
08:53 Especially is that you absolutely have to be in the present moment.
08:58 If you lose your focus or if you're distracted, even for a moment, you've lost the sequence.
09:03 You'll see it in the shot. You'll see if you're disconnected in that dance movement or in that action beat.
09:09 And I think I like that because it brings all my focus and my concentration into one place.
09:16 And I enjoy physical expression. I think that's something that I always have.
09:22 And doing action movies, as we said earlier, is something I've always wanted to do.
09:30 I've spoken about this in so many interviews earlier that I really want to see strong female action roles.
09:37 I'd love to do a female action franchise.
09:40 And I think slowly, slowly, step by step, we're taking it ahead every time.
09:45 And let's see where it goes.
09:47 Like you said, there are so many people who want to see you in a solo action film.
09:52 I'm sure there must be many offers also.
09:54 I think when the time is right and when the combination of the perfect story, the perfect team, the perfect director, the perfect producer.
10:02 And when I say perfect, I mean the right for that to tell that story.
10:07 When that comes together and it's the right time for me as well, I would love to do that.
10:13 I know it's something I've always wanted to do and I've spoken about this many times.
10:17 And it'll be fantastic. It'll be great.
10:21 And I know the kind of excitement that it would hold for me to do a film like that.
10:27 So, let's see.
10:28 But have you ever discussed Zoya's spin-off with Adi or anyone, any of the directors who are making it?
10:34 No. Mum's the word. Secrets.
10:38 Okay.
10:39 Ali was planning one action film with you. That's something which he has spoken about multiple times.
10:43 Ali and me discuss lots of ideas and he's such a bright mind and he's always thinking.
10:50 The wheels of his mind are always turning.
10:52 And yeah, there's a few things that we've been discussing as well.
10:56 And of course, me and Adi have discussed many things.
11:00 But like I said, you know, everything has to align and then at the right time, it will happen.
11:07 And you know, like this Tiger franchise started with Ekta Tiger and now there's this entire spy universe.
11:14 We have seen the crossover of Tiger and Pathan.
11:17 But when will we start seeing crossover of you with probably Tiger and Pathan or a Rubai or other characters from the universe?
11:24 I think everything now has to unfold slowly. So, step by step.
11:28 Let's see where now all the different avenues of the spy universe goes and where Adi takes it.
11:37 But I think that's the wonderful thing about creating all these characters is that each character,
11:44 you know, whether it's Pathan, whether it's Kabir, whether it's Tiger, they all have such incredible...
11:52 Zoya, all the characters have got such incredible, well-written characters that there's so much you can do with them.
12:00 All these stories can be so exciting and they can all be interwoven and every character will add to the other story.
12:09 And that's a really beautiful thing and it was a very visionary idea from Adi.
12:16 And at this point of your career, what are the kind of films that you want to associate yourself with?
12:21 Because there are so many fans on even social media saying that, what is Katrina doing next?
12:26 What are the kind of films she wants to do?
12:28 I think it's very important for me, I've always believed to be very true to yourself when you take decisions.
12:36 And especially at this time in my life right now, I'm very conscious to do things at the right time.
12:44 And the choices that I'm making right now, I know that even if for a moment I'm taking a pause and I'm thinking,
12:51 okay, let's see what are the films now that are connecting with me, right?
12:57 We all evolve as people.
12:59 So maybe a choice I made eight years ago might not be the same choice I would make today.
13:05 So I like to always kind of see what check in where I'm at.
13:08 Okay, what is it that is really connecting to me?
13:10 And I think we all do that as artists.
13:12 What are the stories that I want to be a part of?
13:14 What do I want to tell?
13:16 And where will I really be happy and feel passionate?
13:21 And what kind of an environment?
13:23 And then take my decisions.
13:25 So basically, it's all dependent on what connects with you in terms of the script.
13:30 Yeah, I think it always has been.
13:32 But now I think there's even more maybe, you know, like, barometers that you're running it by.
13:38 Because you change as a person, right?
13:40 And you've also done a certain amount of work and you have that experience.
13:44 And now maybe you're looking for even a slightly new experience.
13:48 And over the last 19 years, you have done 'Maine Pyaar Kyu Kiya', 'Partner', 'Jivraj', 'Tiger 1', '2', '3', six films with Salman.
13:57 I'm sure you've missed one.
13:59 Which one? I think six.
14:00 Even I don't know.
14:01 'Bharat'.
14:02 'Bharat', yeah.
14:04 Seven films with Salman.
14:06 How has that journey evolved from the first film till 'Tiger 3'?
14:10 I think we've just both grown along the way, right?
14:13 Like, I must have been, what, 20, 21 or something when I did that film?
14:18 Or 20 when I did that film?
14:20 'Maine Pyaar Kyu Kiya'.
14:21 And now as you grow, you become more experienced.
14:28 At that point, I think Salman must have done, had already done 45 films.
14:32 And that was maybe my second film, a third film.
14:34 And you gain more experience, you gain your own identity as an actor.
14:39 You start to understand more about yourself, more about the craft, more about your art.
14:44 And I think then you're able to contribute more because you're coming from a more solid place.
14:49 So I think that's been a wonderful journey.
14:52 I didn't think of it that way, actually.
14:54 You made me think about this after a long time.
14:56 That's been a wonderful journey for us, right?
14:59 From 'Maine Pyaar Kyu Kiya' to now 'Tiger 3'.
15:03 When we're on set, it is very different.
15:05 You know, you're right.
15:06 I think now there's more, you can collaborate more as actors.
15:13 There's more ease together.
15:15 And next up for you is 'Merry Christmas'.
15:18 It's such an exciting collaboration used, Iram Raghavan and Vijay Sethupathi.
15:23 Interesting. An interesting set up.
15:25 And for me, Sriram Raghavan was always on my bucket list of directors that I absolutely wanted to work with.
15:32 And that was one of my dreams.
15:36 Again, as I said, I'm really, really fortunate that I got that chance.
15:42 Because it just kind of came.
15:44 And phenomenal director to work with. Incredible mind.
15:49 Completely different school.
15:51 When you're on that set, it's a completely different world.
15:53 I told him, I said, and he's such an incredible collaborator as a human being, as a person, as a filmmaker.
16:00 But I told him, I said, "Sir, on camera, I've never cried so much.
16:03 Off camera, during the shoot, I've never cried so much.
16:06 Off camera, but on the set, I've never cried so much."
16:09 Because it was such an intense process.
16:13 But a wonderful one. A wonderful process.
16:17 And Vijay, as an actor, he'll see things in a way which you just, you're like,
16:23 "I could have never seen it like that. I never saw it like that."
16:27 And it just gives you a different vibe. Take on it.
16:31 So, looking forward to that as well.
16:33 Perfect. I think January 12th is when it's coming.
16:36 So, New Year with you.
16:37 New Year, I'm going to see you again.
16:40 Yes. And before we wrap up, there's one small thing.
16:44 You have worked with so many directors through your journey.
16:47 And you have worked in a certain genre.
16:49 So, if you have to collaborate with them again, what genre would it be?
16:52 I'll take four directors' names. You can just say genre apart from what you've already done with them.
16:56 First, Ali Abbas Zafar.
16:58 What genre would it be?
17:00 Spy thriller?
17:02 Spy thriller?
17:03 Spy.
17:04 You've done a spy thriller. I'm saying the one which you have not done.
17:07 You think he can make it?
17:08 Sorry, I have done a spy thriller.
17:10 I've done all genres. I've done action. I've done a drama with him.
17:16 I've done a comedy with him. I've done a spy thriller with him.
17:19 What's left?
17:20 Maybe a standalone non-spy action film.
17:23 Standalone non-spy action film. There you go. That's it.
17:26 Kabir.
17:27 Can I do another spy thriller with him?
17:29 You love spy thriller.
17:30 No, I love spy thrillers.
17:32 A love story maybe.
17:33 A love story?
17:34 A love story.
17:35 It has been a while since we have seen you.
17:37 Siddharth Anand.
17:38 A spy thriller.
17:39 They are all…
17:41 Yeah. Got to be a spy thriller.
17:44 He has to just make another one.
17:46 Bang Bang was an action film. This is a spy thriller.
17:48 Yeah. It's a different take.
17:50 Okay. Zoya Akhtar.
17:52 Oh, anything.
17:54 I mean everything she does just has such a fresh and novel take on it.
17:58 And I just love her. She's phenomenal.
18:01 Manish.
18:02 Comedy?
18:04 Comedy.
18:05 Okay. And last one, Sriram Raghavan.
18:07 Comedy.
18:08 Oh, even he has a wicked sense of comedy.
18:10 Oh, yeah. He has. I love his…
18:12 I think you call it black comedy.
18:15 Yeah, black comedy would be fun.
18:17 And before we wrap up, what next for you after Merry Christmas?
18:20 Have there been any discussions? Could you tell us, hint, give us a hint?
18:24 No, just focusing on Merry Christmas for the moment.
18:26 Yeah. And any discussions on Tiger 4?
18:28 It's just come.
18:31 I think we're all… it's in the cinemas now and our hearts and minds are still completely with this journey.
18:39 So, let's see. Let's see what the future holds.
18:41 Perfect. Thank you so much.
18:43 And wish you all the best for all the films.
18:45 Thank you.
18:46 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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