Bebo Main Bebo!

1. 

Critics may have lambasted Kareena Kapoor's 'bitchy' role in Kambakkht Ishq, but Bebo is least perturbed. "Kambakkht?isn't an Omkara or even a Jab We Met.

It wasn't meant for the critics. It was targetting the masses," says the actress frankly.

She adds, "Forget the Oscars, we aren't even thinking of the Indian awards, but simple box-office collections because ultimately, that's the parameter for success." What about the sexist jokes, abuses and MCP comments in the movie that have raised many an eyebrow? "We hear such comments everyday in real life.

People are laughing hysterically at the jokes. And Omkara had far more abusive lingo," she says and adds, "Come on, it was just a movie to watch while munching popcorn.

And I'm a star actress who has been constantly trying to strike a balance between critically-acclaimed films and commercially successful entertainers. I'm the only actress who can slip into any kind of shoes - Kolhapuri chappals or Jimmy Choo stilettos - because all sizes fit me.

But jealous tongues will wag." However, there's one person who is far from being jealous and has tagged her the most glamourous woman of today.

"Saif was most excited since the first promos of Kambakkht? were aired. His mother (Sharmila Tagore) was one of the most glamourous actresses in her time and now Saif says it's me.

He loves the way I'm able to balance my career with an Omkara and a Kambakkht?" On Saif referring to her as chhoti begum, Kareena says, "It's a huge compliment and a responsibility, too. I don't react to it because for me the Begum of Pataudi is still Saif's mum.

" There's another role the actress has decided to take up - that of a designer. She plans to launch her own design label soon.

"Yeah, I've taken fashion a step forward. Post-September, when I'm a little free from my endorsements and have wrapped up the month-long shoot of 3 Idiots, I'll be working on my own designer line.

I'm talking with Indian designers and international brands." The conversation veers towards Saif's upcoming film Love Aaj Kal.

Ask her if the intense love scenes between her beau and Deepika Padukone make her uncomfortable and she says, "So what? We're both actors first and complete professionals. We do what the script demands without it spilling into our personal lives.

"Lastly, ask the actress if she sings Bebo main Bebo, the song from Kambakkht Ishq to her love, and she says with a chortle, "No, we don't sing songs to each other. But if Love Aaj Kal is a hit too, we might just throw a party and play each other's chartbusters.

Kambakkht Ishq Not only is it one of the most offensive, gender-insensitive flicks of late but is also utterly blase and blatant about it

Recently, at a Kambakkht Ishq press conference, Kareena Kapoor staged a walkout when a journo asked her if she would go nude for a film. Her contention was that she "commands respect" and doesn’t need to respond to such distasteful queries. Fair enough. But if she feels so strongly for women’s dignity, what made her accept a sexist film like KI? Not only is it one of the most offensive, gender-insensitive flicks of late but is also utterly blase and blatant about it.

The template is the age-old Taming of the Shrew and Shammi Kapoor variety ’60s romcoms like Junglee to which the Akshay Kumar brand of high stunts and low comedy have been added liberally. In the end, it doesn’t come together well. The war of the sexes, between a Hollywood stuntsman (Akshay) and a model-surgeon (Kareena), is all about calling each other "dog" and "bitch" and shutting each other up with some vigorous kissing.

KI’s target audience is the chauvinist male. So women here are showpieces for their gaze. Some, like Kareena (who models for a living and is a surgeon for some undefined higher cause) and Amrita (Arora) are mere clotheshorses, who display more skin than clothes. They put their best leg forward to give the has-been Bond girl Denise Richards a run for her bikini. Women are insulted throughout, yet the one who ill-treats them (Akshay) corners the sympathy.

Mad comedies are fine. But if sense of humour means slapstick routines of the cake-throwing and farting kind, I’d rather remain forever grim. The only comic scene that clicked was the Hollywood fraternity mistaking "Om mangalam mangalam" chant for India’s national anthem. Obviously, the film has been made for Akshay alone and he valiantly tries to enliven it. Like the sequence where he mumbles on the operating table, calling the nurse "mother" instead of "sister". The much-hyped Hollywood stars, like Stallone, are past their prime or inconsequential (i.e. Routh). Other actors, like Boman Irani and Javed Jaffrey, are mere props.