I AM WHERE I NEED TO BE: KATRINA

Katrina Kaif hopes that filmmakers keep seeing ‘right spaces’ for her

She is clearly having a dream run in her accomplished film career. Katrina Kaif, who rose to stardom with Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005), is riding high on the blockbuster success of Tiger Zinda Hai, co-starring Salman Khan. The film has made close to ₹350 crore in India, and another ₹130 crore+ from overseas territories.

“If I’m able to maintain the quality of my films and continue working with the kind of banners and co-stars that I’m working with, besides trying new things as an actor, I would be more than happy,” says Katrina, whose next films include Zero, with Shah Rukh Khan, and Thugs of Hindostan, alongside Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.

“I just hope to be in a place where a director knows that I’m hard-working and he/she gives me things to work on,” says the actor. “I guess we all thrive in situations where we’re respected and feel alive as well. That’s what I am also looking for,” she adds.

All actors have their own USP, believes Katrina. “All my peers and colleagues have been in the [film] industry for some time now. So, in the audience’s eyes, we all have our own places and unique identities,” she says.

At the same time, Katrina is fully aware of the “reality” as well. “Today, I can’t seek to be where I used to be at one point because that’s not my age anymore. Today, if you’re making Dhadak with Janhvi (Kapoor) and Ishaan (Khatter), I can’t be cast in that film and it (casting me in that film) won’t be correct either,” she says. “When I see the two of them together, they look so lovely and sweet. And I feel really happy.”

Katrina admits that when she sees “a young, bright, beautiful and bubbly spark” in Janhvi and Ishaan, she feels great. “But does that take away from me? No. I genuinely believe that I’m where I need to be and am doing what I have to. Hopefully, tomorrow, too, I will be where I need to be. That’s all I have to hope for and that’s all I believe in; and I don’t doubt that,” she says.

What the Dhoom 3 (2013) actor hopes for is that “filmmakers see the right films and right spaces” for her.

Katrina says, “Tiger Zinda Hai was a unique and right space for me to be in. The same goes for Aanand L Rai sir’s film (Zero). As for Thugs of Hindostan, I don’t think we have seen such a well-crafted movie before, as it’s a completely different visual. So, that’s also the right space to be in.”