"I don't have many friends in the industry"

Kareeena has almost become Kulraj Kaur's middle name. The girl, who once came to Mumbai with stars in her eyes and hopes of a film career, has now struck gold with Zee's Kareena Kareena, and seems to have no qualms on her decision to shift mediums. Prashant Golecha quizzed her on her Kareena persona, the traits she shares with her character and what sets her apart. Like Kareena, you too come from a small town to start life alone in Mumbai. Do you identify with Kareena? Our backgrounds are not that similar. I came to Mumbai from Bangalore where I did my graduation, although I am originally from Chandigarh. I met Kishore Namit Kapoor and took classes from his acting school. I have relatives and friends in Mumbai and my parents keep coming down. I have an army background, so I guess adjustment was easier. And anyway, Mumbai is a true cosmopolitan city where people are very accommodating. So, are you really like Kareena? The similarity is that I am bubbly, straight, warm at heart, energetic and perhaps, good at problem solving.The dissimilarity is that I don't lie so much and I won't go crazy over men like my character. Are you getting any film offers? Do you feel it would have been better to have started off with films? Or perhaps, you are stuck with the 'Kareena' image now? I am getting offers for films but I am waiting for the right offer. I have been in touch with casting directors who work for Ram Gopal Varma and Neeraj Vohra. Initially, I had tried films and nothing good came my way. Maybe films would have been a better option. But the kind of leverage the channel has given me is very good and I am happy to be a part of a show like Kareena Kareena. What are the pros and cons of living alone in Mumbai? Living in Mumbai makes one independent in every sense of the word. One gets the opportunity to meet a variety of people in such a short span of time! Acceptance of single people is very fast in this city, I have realised. The disadvantage is that one doesn't always get to eat well here! There is not much time left for friends as you are professionally busy and the distances too can also be a deterrent at times. What difference would it have made had Kareena Kareena been aired on Star Plus, we have reason to believe it almost went there… I have heard a lot of such stories. I am quite happy with Zee. The way they have handled the show is terrific. They have pumped money to promote it well. I have a lot of fans in London, Dubai, Bangladesh, Spain and Greece where Zee is quite popular. Who are your best friends in the industry? Do you get time to chill out with friends? I don't have many friends in the industry. I am a very private person. Vandana Gupte is one of my good friends. I feel dead after a hard day's work so there's hardly any time to make friends. If I get time I would love to learn music and maybe learn an instrument! You had a mini makeover in the show, but essentially you look the same. We can't run totally out of the character of Kareena and make her look too bold! Acceptance would have been tough had my character gone in for a typical makeover. The change was incorporated keeping in mind the requirement of the script. You have started your career with a comedy. Do you feel you will get serious roles now? I wanted to stay away from saas bahu soaps. The script was good enough for me to take up the offer. I am a versatile actress and I don't think that will hamper my chances of landing serious roles. All the main channels have approached me with scripts where I am being offered the role of the main protagonist. But I am not very enthusiastic about TV and I am looking out for roles in commercial cinema. On the personal front, how are things going? Any marriage plans? No, I don't have the time for it. Career is my topmost priority. What is your idea of romance? I would like to play a sport with him. It may be playing squash on the court or indulging in some water sport on the beach with my man. What kind of a man you would like to marry? I would like to marry a man who is intelligent, has a sense of humour and has a quality called clarity of thought What according to you is your biggest asset? My confidence and my faith in myself.