Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor, who essays the role of a stepmom in We are Family dreads and dismisses the possibility of being pitted against her elder sister actress Karisma instead of Kajol in the upcoming film.
"No way...She (Karisma) can't do it, because in the film we are married to the same man! Otherwise, both (Karisma and Kajol) are hands-on mothers. They are the same when it comes to raising children", said Kareena.
Speaking about her experience working with Kajol, who played her elder sister on screen in Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham, Kareena said they did not have many scenes together then, but "here we are on the same page with two powerful roles."
"My character Shreya is very complex and complicated. She is contemporary, forward looking and is awkward with children. The film can be described as a journey between two women who start out by hating each other, but come closer understanding and supporting each other due to unforeseen circumstances."
"It was an honour to be part of the film because the challenge to work with Kajol was exciting," the 29-year-old actress said contending that it will be a difficult choice for the audience to pick between the two.
Kareena said she bonded very well with Kajol, Maya in the film, who when diagnosed with a terminally ill disease has no option but to rely on Shreya as a stepmother to her three children.
"We discussed life, relationships and movies during the outdoor shooting of WAF. It is an outdated thought that actresses cannot be friends. Over the years, she has remained the same... spontaneous, bubbly and full of energy. We got along well," Kareena said.
On comparisons with Julia Roberts, who played the character in the original Hollywood classic Stepmom, the actress says it is extremely unfair.
"Julia Roberts is the one of the finest actresses, and Iwas elated to do a role which has already been done by her. I had watched 'Stepmom' several years ago. But did not see it after I signed the film, because I wanted to bring my own style to it," she added.
Kareena feels We are Family is a "desi movie" and is of the opinion that it should have been more contemporary because Indian audiences are ready for it.
Speaking about her beau and actor-producer Saif Ali Khan, Kareena said, "Saif is a unique man. He is different in his thinking and supports and encourages me in my work. He is like a Hollywood star, engrossed in his own work. I always tell him that he should work with Raju Hirani," she said.
When asked if her role in the Karan Johar movie has shades of her relationship with Saif's children Sara and Ibrahim, she said her professional work has nothing to do with her personal equations.
Looking back at her decade-old career in Bollywood, Kareena said 'Refugee' was a special debut because it helped to showcase her potential as a performer.
According to Kareena, she always wanted to be known as an actress rather a glam doll.
"I wanted to mature as an actress and movies like Refugee, Chameli, Dev, Omkara, Three Idiots, Kurbaan have helped me to attempt varied spectrum of roles. I think my journey in Bollywood has been colourful. Acting is in my blood. I can't do similar type of roles," she said.
The actress is committed to doing Karan Johar's Short Term Shaadi and Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine. "Madhur is still scripting and it will take longer," she said.
Speaking about her six-year-old niece Samaira and new born nephew Kiaan raj, Kareena said, "Samaira is a beautiful girl with Karisma's blue eyes while Kiaan has greenish grey eyes and pink cheeks. He is a lady killer already."
The actress said her brother-in-law Delhi based industrialist Sunjay Kapur treats her like a kid sister than a sister-in-law.
"He has seen me since I was very young since Sunjay and Karisma knew each other from their school days," she said.
Kareena, who is presently working on Agent Vinod, Ra.One and Golmaal 3 says she rues the fact that she cannot find enough time for her family.
