The Taming Of BEBO

Published: Volume 14, Issue 5, September-October, 2006 Mull over the number of high profile films she has turned down. Contemplate the high profile duds she signed on. Wander into Shakespeare terrain and it is almost like a comedy of errors. But Kareena Kapoor has seen success and failure and treated both impostors just the same, observes VIVEK KAMATH She pouts and preens. But you are in queue…. At Mumbai's Mehboob Studio, Mickey Contractor is putting the finishing touches on Bebo's (Kareena Kapoor) make-up. This is a silence zone. Make-up over, she will repair to the shooting floor where photographer Jatin Kampani awaits, lights and camera on the ready. Her buddy, Niranjan Iyengar (who wrote the dialogue for Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and is here sporting a KANK jacket) has popped in to see her ("I've known her since she was nine and used to come for shoots with her sister".) Soham Shah, the Dharma Productions director, who made Kaal is here as well. It will be a while before you can get your 15 minutes of Bebo's fame. You wonder how much you can pack into 15 minutes. You wonder if you can pack in anything at all. You wonder. You wonder if you should just document Bebo's silence. Her silence, did, after all, speak reams inOmkara. She is silent in her opening scene as she rides in the back of a cycle-rickshaw, an island of serenity in the chaos of UP traffic. She silently breaks down when she senses her relationship is on the rocks for reasons she cannot fathom. And she is silent in her closing scene, as she lies on a jhoola, the doomed bride in all her wedding finery. By the time her seething husband realises his folly, death has done them part. It is a different matter that death, ironically, reunites them just a few moments later. You wander into Shakespeare terrain. You mull over the number of high profile films Bebo has turned down. Also, the number of high profile duds she signed on. Comedy of errors, anyone? On a more serious note, but still very much in the Bard's vein, you marvel at how she has graduated with honours from the school of hard knocks. You decide you will muster the courage to talk about her failures and how they have shaped her. Sir William might have called it 'The Taming of Bebo'. A STAR IS BORN AND UNMADE As much as a Ford is born into automobiles and a Rockefeller into wealth, Bebo was born into the movies. The question was not whether she would get into the movies. The question was whether she would start her career with Kaho Naa Pyar Hai or Refugee. She walked out of Kaho Naa… and did Refugee. It seemed a safe bet. One was a movie with the son of a failed actor. The other paired her with Bachchan Junior. This was a dream pairing, the prince and the showman's granddaughter. If only she had read the tarot cards, the tea leaves. The Roshan and Roshan team hit bull's eye and continues an uninterrupted run of success, three films and six years into the millennium. Refugee sank without a trace. It began a nightmarish run of 17 duds for Abhishek till daddy dearest stepped in and team Bachchan and Bachchan struck gold with Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkarand Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.

I can't doubt Farhaan, says Kareena

She is making men sweat with her seductive movies in Yeh Mera Dil. But Kareena Kapoor clears the air when she says she is not competing with Helen. Bebo talks about this, lovemaking scenes and much more in a tête-à-tête with HTTabloid.

You have shown your hot moves on Yeh Mera Dil in the remake of Don while the original one was done by Helen. Do you think you are sexier than her?
Helen is incomparable in every manner. But I have tried my level best to offer something new, which my viewers can enjoy. I can assure my fans that I have tried my level best to look sexy and glamorous in this song and I am sure they will love it.

Your last film Omkara was full of exposures too. Are you on an exposing spree these days?
In Omkara, I trusted Vishal and got ready for bold scenes. If I trust my directors then there is no problem in doing bold scenes because then you know you are in safe hands. Similarly in Don, I can't doubt Farhaan. In fact, these days I am targeting roles that will leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Is there any similarity between you and your character Dolly in Omkara?
Yes, there was a big similarity. As I am quite romantic in real life so was my character in the film. In the film she longs for Ajay till the end. That's why I found the character quite close to my heart.

Wedding season is not very far off now. Any chance of hearing your wedding bells?
I have to go a long way before I get married. So there is nothing like that in the near future. Marriage is not even on mind...neither now nor anytime in recent future. I prefer concentrating on work.

Happy Birthday Kareena

Actress Kareena Kapoor is celebrating her birthday today with a band of friends (Including boyfriend Shahid Kapoor) in Goa. Bebo is enjoying the phase pf her personal and professional life. Having won acclaim for her deglam look in ‘Omkara’ and after earning whistles for her femme fatale look in ‘Yeh Mera Dil Pyaar Ka Deewana Hai’ in Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Don’ Kareena is all set to star in a dream role in Mani Rathnam’s ‘Lajjo’ opposite Aamir Khan. The actress was also the recipient of the prestigious Smita Patil Award recently for excellence in cinema. This award had been won by her sister Karishma a few years ago and hence it makes it even more special. IndiaGlitz wishes Kareena Kapoor a very happy 26th birthday. And here’s hoping to seeing her in more promising roles in the future.

Priyanka Chopra cries foul!

The actor refutes reports of her being upset about co-actors Kareena and Ishaa being given prominence in the publicity of ‘Don’. Actor Priyanka Chopra is upset with reports claiming that she had been confiding in close friends about her having to share the limelight with hotties, Ishaa Koppikar and Kareena Kapoor in Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Don’. Incidentally, both Ishaa and Kareena have been appreciated in the tracks ‘Main hoon Don’ and ‘Yeh mera dil’ respectively, the promos of which are on air. Reportedly, Priyanka was also said to be upset about sharing poster space with her female co-actors and their hi-profile presence in the film’s publicity. Priyanka defends herself by clarifying, “The rumour is absolutely baseless and silly. I’ve been out of town for nearly three months, shuttling between countries and living out of a suitcases. Do I look insecure?” She adds, “ I’m so proud to be a part of ‘Don’. It was a great opportunity to work with such a fantastic bunch of professionals—Shah Rukh (Khan), Ritesh (Sidhwani) and Farhan (Akhtar). I hope to work with them again. The film is among the highlights of my career.” When asked about having to share the limelight with Kareena and Ishaa, she shoots back, “I’ve worked with Kareena before. She’s wonderful and adds to the star value of a set-up. Even Ishaa is very good in the film. I really wish people would stop creating fire when there’s none!”

Kareena Kapoor to spend quite b'day with 10 close friends in Goa

Kareena Kapoor is at a very important stage in her career. She's got the best of films, she's been dishing out worthy performances and of course, she remains among the top-most actors in the industry. With things going right in more ways than one, Kareena has finally decided to take a brief sabbatical from work. She's celebrating her birthday today in Goa with a bunch of close friends. "It will be an extremely private affair. I have 10 friends with me, and I hope to have the greatest birthday," says Kapoor. " "The Smita Patil Memorial Award, 'Lajjo' with Aamir Khan, the acclaim of 'Omkara' and 'Yeh Mera Dil' song from 'Don'…I have so many reasons to celebrate," she explains, adding, "The celebration has been pending for a while. I couldn't wait any longer." What's really made the award memorable for Kareena is that the late Smita Patil has always been her favourite actor. "I have always admired her and I truly believe she was one of the finest talents. I have always dreamt of acting like her. I know I still can't. I was at loss of words when I received the award," says Kareena adding she'd love to play Smita Patil's part if there's a remake of 'Arth'. Incidentally, Karisma Kapur was also bestowed with the same award some years ago. "Karisma is one of India's finest actors. I have always learnt from her. I am just following her path," signs off the li'l sis.