She is charming, she is stylish and has the ability to win hearts whenever she appears on screen. In an exclusive chat before she walked the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week, she spoke her hearts out. Excerpts:
Who is the most stylish beauty pageant winner - Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai or Sushmita Sen?
Sushmita, of course. I appreciate her personal style. She doesn't believe in sticking to rules.
And what's Lara's personal style?
It depends on my mood. I am inspired by the classic styles of the 1920s, 40s and 50s. But I am not a fashion victim. I invest in pieces that stay relevant irrespective of cyclical trends.
Which designers’ creations you wear the most?
Shahab Durazi, Tarun Tahiliani and Raakesh Agarvwal.
How long do you take to get ready?
If I am not walking the ramp or a red carpet, not more than 30 minutes. And that includes hair, make-up and dressing up.
Indian designers are taking an active interest in styling Bollywood films. Has style overridden substance?
My experience in modelling has helped me in Bollywood, as far as confidence with clothes is concerned. With Bunty aur Babli, Aki Narula changed the way masses dressed.
In Tashan, each character was individually styled, and the trailers looked fabulous. But the film didn't do well. A huge PR machinery was at work to promote Bebo's shoes in Kambakkht Ishq.
I've worn an expensive Alexander McQueen dress in my next release, Houseful, for all of 30 seconds. Producers understand the needs of global viewers. They know that the audience won't go, “Kya pehna hai!” after looking at a fashionable outfit. If they (producers) are spending lakhs on outfits and accessories, they will make sure it's all publicised.
Who makes it to the most stylish Bollywood stars list?
Sonam Kapoor makes an effort to look fashionable. I like that about her. Among men, it's Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan. They have an inherent sense of style.
Do you think Indian men need to make an attempt to dress more stylish?
Men don't really believe in taking chances. They are a boring lot.
Actors who walk for designers are handsomely paid...
I haven't charged a dime for this show. I have done it because I genuinely like Raakesh's clothes - they are avant-garde and cutting edge. Else, I walk for friends. It takes me back to my modelling days.
Any fashion fetish?
I have one, a really bad shoe fetish. I can't divulge how many pairs I have. Easily over 100. Shoes matter. What sort, doesn't. So, I have everything from Kolhapuri chappals to Louboutins.
As A Muslim I Feel Proud I Did Kurbaan:
SAIF
His Love Aaj Kal has completed over 50 days at the box office and has earned more than Rs.65 crores (Rs.650 million) just within India. Now actor-producer Saif Ali Khan is looking forward to Kurbaan - a film he admits he is proud of having acted in being a Muslim.
“As a Muslim I feel proud of the fact that I have done this film. This is one of the most socially relevant films today. It is good that it is coming at just the time when our country needs cinema like this,” Saif said in an interview.
Set in the US, Kurbaan is a romantic thriller with terrorism as its backdrop.
A Karan Johar production directed by debutant Rensil D'Silva, Kurbaan also stars Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Dia Mirza, Kirron Kher and Om Puri. It is slated to release Nov 27.
Saif reveals that he now has a new career plan in place. “I would now be working on two-three films a year and make sure that I cover a wide spectrum. While a couple of them would be big, nice commercial films, another would be a relatively smaller film that can be completed in 30 days flat.”
After Love Aaj Kal, his next production venture is Agent Vinod. But shooting for the film is still a little distance away.
“Final touches on the script are being given and we have been looking at getting the best technicians on board. I guess by the end of this year, we should begin shooting. In any case I am in no tearing hurry to ready my next film. One should space things out, invest good time to publicise things and get the right preparation in place for the making of the film,” said Saif.
He is also careful that his personal life, especially his health, doesn’t suffer due to his professional commitments.
“It is of paramount importance that one looks after the body as well as brain. I go to the gym regularly as well as spend some good time with family. As far as work is concerned, I have certainly become even more serious about production after Love Aaj Kal.”
Meanwhile, the success of Love Aaj Kal and Race has made it closer for him to the top-five league. While Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan and Salman Khan are firmly placed in the top league, Saif too is not that far away.
“I don't know much about that. All such number placements are for other people to state, study and analyse. As for me, I know today that I'm in a position to make the film that I want to make,” he said.
“I am also confident that the film I would make will carry some meaning to people. My project should now carry certain amount of weight and direction and for that one has to be a bankable star.”
He continues to shrug away the entire numbers game.
“This number business is quite fluctuating actually; so one should not be worried about it. What you should worry about more is that now since people have higher expectations from you, you should deliver even better in your next assignments,” Saif concluded.
