She’s like the proverbial warrior waiting to strike an unexpected yet knockout punch. And while at that, mesmerizing us with the way she looks, performs and moves. Katrina Kaif has had an unusual journey into Bollywood. She has faced every curve ball thrown at her (be it her accent, her acting skills, comments and criticism) with grace, finesse and a hero’s attitude. And successfully turned each challenge into an asset and advantage. One of the actors in the top league today, she wowed us with her Madam/Sir role in Bharat and Sooryavanshi and awaiting the release of Phone Booth. She has recently turned into a beauty entrepreneur with her line of cosmetics called Kay Beauty and is prepping for being Hindi cinema’s first female superhero in Ali Abbas Zafar’s upcoming film Super Police. Manju Ramanan chats up with the gorgeous Katrina Kaif who tied the knot with Vicky Kaushal recently. ( Excerpts from an older interview)
You have been the representation of fitness and beauty. Were you always inclined towards this space?
Yes, always. I grew up in a family of six girls. Needless to say, I was always surrounded by make-up. So, I learnt to play around and experiment with it from a young age.
I have always believed that a healthy body results in a happy and positive mind. Taking care of your inner well-being and mental health is extremely important, things like mindfulness, meditation just a few minutes a day can really help. I also like challenging myself by mixing my workout plans. Working out is not all about being thin. It is about improving your stamina and strength. I really do love working out. Without it, I am not the best version of myself.
How many hours do you dedicate to fitness daily?
I believe that it is not necessary to workout everyday but I try to stick to my six-day routine. I generally work out for at least 45 minutes a day. Strength training in the gym, Pilates and yoga are a part of my workout regime. While strength training helps me work on my core, Pilates and yoga help me focus and stay calm. Free-hand exercises like lunges and squats are great and can be executed in 20 minutes.
What was your most challenging role when it came to fitness?
There are two films that required me to work very hard on my physique – Tiger Zinda Hai and Dhoom 3. While Tiger Zinda Hai required me to pull off some high-octane stunts, Dhoom 3 was all about executing some difficult dance moves. I have been doing an intensive high mix of squats, lunges, push-ups and Pilates along with strength training at the gym with my trainer and friend, Yasmin Karachiwala for Tiger Zinda Hai. For Dhoom 3, I did some rigorous workout sessions for about 10-hours a day to work on my flexibility and core strength. Apart from my regular exercises, I spent a lot of time in acrobat training.
Do you cook?
It is important to watch what you eat. Contrary to the popular notion, I include ample carbs in my diet. I try to stay away from gluten, refined sugar and dairy products. Even now that I am at home, I am making sure that I do not binge on junk and fried food. I have a clean diet.
I began a little bit of cooking during this lockdown. I have tried my hands at making pancakes, omelets and salad. I am slowly getting there but I know that I can be a good cook someday (laughs).