An abundance of Bollywood stars follow the carefully curated openness of social media, so this interview with the usually stoic Katrina Kaif is an occasion to behold as she expounds on her relationships with Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan and the insecurities of being in Bollywood.
Journalist Megha Shah smartly runs with the caveat that Kaif is notoriously reticent and isn't thought of as the actress we go to for empowering quotes or insight. She upends that notion, because after an age of silence Kaif is ready to talk in a frank way that made a cynical reader like me think twice. Shah completely humanizes Kaif, who's detachment and politeness has become a barrier separating her from her peers.
From working in Kaizad Gustad's mishmash Boom to falling for her svengali Salman Khan at 19, Kaif has had an amazing career with ups and downs and an unbeatable streak of hits. Though her roles in many of these were short and insubstantial, she's quick to acknowledge Khan's role in her rise and their sometimes fractious relationship in the press.
"He [Salman] lives in a parallel universe, always making these jokes about me publicly, which get the media really kicked. Like the comment he made on Kapil’s show when he saw my pictures on a set of crackers. ‘She is of no use to me!' I called him and yelled at him. I can do that, it is the sort of equation we have. He said, ‘Okay sorry I will apologize to the media.' I told him to do no such thing and maintain a dignified silence if that is possible."
Having her influencers talk about her in the press is one thing, but being known only as Ranbir Kapoor's girlfriend is another. Kapoor was constantly dogged by cheating rumours in his relationship with Deepika Padukone, which seems to rear its head in a confessional moment from Kaif in the dark on a plane ride with the writer.
"The back of my head wants to believe that I am (lucky in love). But the front of my head says ‘be careful.' I don’t think I can make such claims, because were it selfless love, then I would not feel the need to assert myself as much in the relationship. I would be more tolerant. I don’t want to be tolerant. I don’t want to accept it. I want to fight. I want to get what I think I deserve. My greatest fear is that if and when I get married and I am standing at the altar or the mandap, he may not love me completely. That he may not know his mind well enough to be making those commitments. The anticipation of heartbreak is my only fear."
This moment definitely makes your heart go out to her, and chips away at her steely facade of diplomacy.
Photo Credit: GQ India
As with other moments in the interview, you almost feel like all these experiences are gushing out of her like this nugget for the armchair psychologists reading along:
"I did not have a father figure and I have often wondered if that has affected my relationships with men. I have not really scrutinized this with a therapist. So I am not sure. But when I think about my daughter and the qualities I want her to possess, I envision a big role played by her father, in instilling a strong sense of self. That is important to me."
The interview makes the reader wonder why now was the right time for Kaif to just let it all out. Perhaps it's to set the record straight and keep her position in tact by being a tad more forthcoming like other Bollywood actresses who speak out regularly.
Main Image Photo Credit: GQ India
Rumnique Nannar
Author
Rumnique Nannar is a new journalist with a passion for all things pop culture, film, and art. Rumnique was born in London, with a predilection for devouring English chocolate with her Vogue, ANOKHI, and Glamour magazines in tow. She is currently in her Journalism Masters at UBC. Connect ...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema's Contribution to Earth Day Awareness
-
Review: Monkey Man - Dev Patel Sets the Screen Ablaze with Electrifying Action
-
Exclusive Q&A With Diljit Dosanjh on the Dil-Luminati Tour and the Exciting Simplii Collaboration!
-
12 South Asian Female Artists Who Are Changing Hollywood's Landscape
-
Transitional Representation of South Asian Women in The World of Entertainment
-
Hot February 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
How Jesse "Punjabi Timbit" Singh Explores Emotional Healing Through His Comedy
-
Rukus Avenue Radio, The World's #1 South Asian Radio Station, Joins The iHeartRadio App
-
From Silent Frames To Global Fame: Key Moments That Shaped Bollywood
-
Hot January 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Kerala Actor Santhy Balachandran Celebrates Her Three Incredible Releases In 2023
-
Hot December 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
The Real Reason Why Bollywood Directors Love English In Their Titles
-
Diwali Dance Fest Makes History at Walt Disney World® Resort!
-
TIFF 2023: Deepa Mehta and Sirat Taneja Share Why 'I Am Sirat’ Is The Transgender Story To Be Told
-
The International South Asian Film Festival 2023 (iSAFF) Wraps With A Celebration Of Outstanding Global South Asian Pathbreakers
-
TIFF 2023: 'We Grown Now' Director Minhal Baig Shares With Us Why Neighbourhood Stories Should Be Told
-
Event Alert: BMO International Film Festival Of South Asia Toronto (IFFSA) Is Every Filmi Lover's Dream
-
TIFF 2023: ‘The Queen of My Dreams’ Reigns Over TIFF With Style, Wit And Heart
-
The 21st Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Returns With A Bang!
-
Brendan D'Souza Will Never Cheat On Their One True Love (Stand Up!)
-
Event Alert: South Asian Global Cinema Takes Centre Stage At The International South Asian Film Festival
-
Diwali Comes Alive At Walt Disney World With The First Ever Diwali Dance Fest
-
TIFF 2023: 11 South Asian Films Coming To The Toronto International Film Festival
-
Hot September 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Singers Karan Aujla & Jonita Gandhi Sign On To Warner Music Canada/India's Label '91 North Records'
-
4 Ways Alia Bhatt Steals The Show In The Hot Netflix Film "Heart Of Stone"
-
Priyanka And Nick Jonas Get Ready For The Jonas Brothers' Tour At Yankee Stadium!
-
Hot August 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
5 Reasons Why You Should Watch “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”
-
JFL Exclusive: How Comedian Zarna Garg Showed Kevin Hart That Brown Women Can Be Funny Too
-
JFL Exclusive: Award-Winning Podcast Comedian Maddy Kelly Is The Next Gen Star
-
Hot July 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Event Alert: “Mughal-E-Azam: The Musical" Kicks Off Canadian Tour With Upcoming Toronto Stop
-
#ANOKHI20: The ANOKHI Emerald Ball Was The Perfect Grand Finale To ANOKHI’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations
-
Pride 2023: 10 Bollywood Films That Honour Our Desi LGBTQIA+ Family
-
Hot Summer Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Review: 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story' Is For The Ones Who Love Love!
-
Pamela Mala Sinha's Latest Play "NEW" Breathes Fresh Life Into Our Parents' Immigrant Story
-
Dilpreet Bhattal Proved Her Mettle On CBC's "Canada's Ultimate Challenge"
-
Here's Why You Can't Miss The 12th South Asian Film Festival Of Montréal
-
The First Ever South Asian House At SXSW Made All Sorts Of History
-
Hot April 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond
-
'Canada's Got Talent' Judge Lilly Singh Wants Us To Get Ready To Be Amazed
-
Don't Miss Out On The 10th Annual Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival
-
Oscars 2023 Highlights: How Our South Asian Stars Took Over Tinseltown
-
Hot March 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond
-
Ali Hassan Shares Comedic Life Lessons In His Memoir “Is There Bacon In Heaven?”
-
Nisha Pahuja Follows A Father's Search For Justice In Her Latest Doc "To Kill A Tiger"
-
From South India to LA, R&B Star Malavika Is Set Sizzle In 2023!
-
CBC's "Bollywed" Spotlights Chandan Fashion's Iconic Family Bridal Business
-
Hot February 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond
