Mumbai, mSeptember 13: Having just returned to India from the US, Katrina is amused no end, and also somewhat annoyed by insinuations that she’s not Indian.
Says Katrina, “Me not Indian? I think I’m as Indian as it can get. I want to know how many caucasians are brown-skinned. And you’ve to admit, I’m brown in complexion. Having said that, I don’t wish to give any importance to the people who have made my nationality a national issue. All I’ll say is I’m very much an Indian. And it’s an insult to my parents to suggest I am not.”
So, is she categorically saying she is Indian? “Yes I am. My mother is British and my father is Indian. Now could we talk about something else? I want to focus on my work. And I wish the others would do the same.”
Katrina has returned to an avalanche of work. “I’ve to immediately do three ad films, dub for De Dana Dan and Blue (that shouldn’t take long because I’ve little to do in both) and most importantly, I’ve to rehearse my long chaste Hindi lines for Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti before I leave for Bhopal in September to shoot for the film.”
Ranbir plays a character inspired by Rajiv Gandhi in Rajneeti. Recently, Katrina won the Rajiv Gandhi award for excellence in entertainment. Says Katrina, “I’ve always admired Rajiv Gandhi. And when I gave an impromptu speech at the awards, it came straight from my heart.”
—Agencies