Katrina, 25, has shed her glam girl image to play a politician in director Prakash Jha’s much talked about “Raajneeti”. She describes it as a special film in her career. “A lot of people have given tremendous feedback… hopefully audiences will like it and it would be a new step for me in my career,” Katrina told reporters at the launch of the wedding line Nakshatra Vivaah here Thursday.

“Raajneeti” takes an incisive look at Indian electoral system where a handful of people control the destiny of millions. It shows how people, who understand power, fight a bitter and violent battle to achieve their unstoppable ambition. Apart from Katrina Kaif, the film also features Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpai, Sarah Thompson, Naseeruddin Shah and Nana Patekar.

Though many feel her character in “Raajneeti” is based on Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Katrina has denied the speculation. “For me Sonia Gandhi-ji is one of the most inspiring women in India. And personally, she is an inspiration. But this film and my character in the film does not resemble her or is not based on her life at all. I think it’s really important to clarify,” she clarified.

Pointing out that the delegation must tender its apology to him for the statement, Modi in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the matter must be taken with the German ambassador.

The crew of Aadhavan recently celebrated the occasion of the film completing 100 days. So, how does he feel about delivering hit after hit?

Says the star, “I would consider the success of both my films last year as a leap. When I get to know that collections have doubled, the first thought that strikes me is not a sense of joy and pride. Rather, it is the feeling that so many more people have watched me and are now intently following what I’m doing. When I realise this, it only induces an element of fear and makes me more responsible. I’m accountable to all those viewers. So, I make every effort, right from the word go, to ensure that the projects I do are perfect.”

The star, who is known for his sense of humour, referred to veteran actress Saroja Devi as Kannadathu Paingili at the 100th day function of Aadhavan, much to the delight of all those present, including the veteran actress herself. Draw his attention to it and he chuckles, “In one of my earlier movies, Pithamagan, I play the role of a tricky salesman who sells a bottle of perfume to a customer by offering him a soap box, which I claim has been used by her. Recently, she pretended to chide me for it saying, ‘Kannadaththu Paingilinnu solli soapu dabba vithiya?’ (Did you try to sell a soap box saying it belonged to the Kannadathu Paingili?) I wanted to pull her leg again and felt like saying it one more time. That was why I said it on stage.”

Needless to say, Suriya’s next film Singam too has triggered expectations. He says, “Singam will be a trademark film of Hari sir. But he’s again shown me in a different shade. It is not a regular village film. It will be a good summer release that will satisfy the audiences of all centres. I’m confident about it.”

Finally, ask him what’s so special about this movie and he says, “My characterisation in the film is different. I play a village cop called Duraisingam.”

Any B-Town aspirations?
I have received offers from the Hindi film industry, but I don’t want to do a Hindi film when it has nothing solid to offer me. I prefer to consolidate myself down South. But it doesn’t mean I would never do a Hindi film. I’ve grown up in a Punjabi household and doing a Hindi film will be in my comfort zone.

You are quite tall by leading lady standards…
Yes, while working with some actors, I do have to wear flats. But while working with actors like Prabhas — who is 6’2” — I walk around the sets in my heels. I just love my heels!

You’ve worked with a number of top stars. Who are you friends with?
I have a great working relationship with all my co-stars. But I don’t have a 3 am friend nor do I chat with them daily. But when I meet them again, it’s like old times.

Do you miss having someone special in your life?
Isn’t it sad (laughs)? When I see young girls of my age having fun, I feel sad for myself. I’m so caught up with work that there isn’t time to indulge in stuff like that. But I keep telling myself that at the right time and right place, I will find someone. Till that time, I’m happy working.

The actor was the host for the reality show in 2009, which had 13 women – models and actresses – taking part in it. Akshay popularised the show with his daring stunts, which is an Indian version of the US reality show ‘Fear Factor’. Now Priyanka will be anchoring the special IPL Edition of the show on Colors, which will have 13 Indian and international cricketers competing with each other.

The 27-year-old actress had made her Bollywood debut opposite Akshay in 2003 film ‘Andaaz’ and also went on to star with him in films including ‘Aitraaz’, ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ and ‘Waqt: Race Against Time’. The national award-winning actress, who was in the capital to launch four new body wash variants from Lux, has three films in the pipeline. “My next film ‘Anjana Anjani’ will release in July or August. I am also starting work on ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’ with Vishal Bhardwaj and once ‘Khatron..’ is finished, I will start shooting for ‘Don 2′,” said Priyanka.

Even though Tendulkar is not among the 30 probables already selected for the April 30-May 16 event, former captain Sunil Gavaskar led the chorus, asking Tendulkar, who is in sensational form, to change his stance and play in the Twenty20 World Cup.

Tendulkar, however, dismissed the possibility. “I will not be playing the ICC World Twenty20. I have not played Twenty20 Internationals from 2007 onwards and I don’t think it should become an issue now,” Tendulkar said.

Kings XI and Rajasthan Royals are at the bottom of the points table with just one win out of the four matches they played in the event so far and both the teams need to get their acts together to be in with the slightest chance of progressing to the semi-finals.

She wasn’t showing off anything, but it came quite naturally to her in a very cute way. She would ask me to run errands, virtually depending on me for everything… just like my mother would have told me to.

In fact, not just Leelaji, gradually the others too followed suit. I would complain to Shyamji (Shyam Benegal) about how everyone was making me run errands. He would laugh and say that it was good for my onscreen role.

For this film, Leelaji got some of her most beautiful dresses which she used to wear in her younger days. Anita Kanwar and some others wore it for the film. It was really nice of her to lend those dresses.

She was a very soft and gentle lady, but quite childlike as well. I still remember how she created such a ruckus when she lost her lipstick during the shoot… almost like a child, who could not find her precious toy. She was very particular about her make-up and would get the kit from France. Hence, perhaps, she was all the more aggrieved. Finally, Shyamji requested Soni Razdan, who was also part of the cast, to give her lipstick to Leelaji as it was almost identical.

Leelaji was very beautiful and I particularly remember her having very thick, lovely hair.

At that point, she used to be quite disturbed over her troubled relationship with poet Dom Moraes, her husband, and often confided in us. So, Shyamji had told Moraes not to come till the end of the shoot as his presence would disturb her.”

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