So you’re marrying the Delhi industrialist Sunjay Kapur?
Yes. I had to keep it under wraps until all of us were sure of what we wanted to do. Sunjay and my family have known each other for many many years. We’ve been childhood friends. We’ve grown up together. Interestingly, my mom became friends with his mom, who’s Raunaq Singh’s daughter, when she was 18. In fact, my mom (Babita) in her heydays, shot one of her movies Haseena Maan Jaayegi in my mother-in-law-to-be’s house. They’ve remained friends since then. All of us kids from both homes grew up together. His sisters are very close to me. We were in school together. So it was almost like love was arranged into a marriage (laughs).
Well, put. But when did childhood friendship turn into love?
Oh many many years later. We grew up. Life moved on. He carried on with his business. I joined the movies. But I guess whatever is destined to happen will happen. After all that I’ve been through in recent times, my parents have been keen for a while for I to settle down. I‘ve finally found the right man for me.
How did you know he was the right person for you?
Career or personal life, I’ve always gone by my gut feeling. When I did Sunil Darshan’s Jaanwar everyone wanted to know what I had to do in the film. I did it nonetheless and it really benefited me. I guess I do have an instinctive feeling for right and wrong. And all my instincts tell me Sanjay is the right person for me. We’ve selected 29 September as the day for the wedding. We’re going to keep it a very small and intimate event. It’ll be held at Chembur where my grandad (Raj Kapoor) lived. I want to marry with his blessings. I’m very nervous and excited. Marriage is a huge responsibility for any girl.
Is the new Mr Kapoor in your life a very rich man?
I don’t know about that. He has his own business and his father’s business to take care of. I’ll continue to have my career, but far more discreetly. Basically, I’m looking to enter into a new phase in my life. I’ve slogged it out for nearly thirteen years. And now it’s time for me to find another level in my life. So far I’ve been fulfilling a moral responsibility to my career, my producers and fans. That will continue. I’ll do a good project whenever it comes my way. But now it’s time for me to find personal happiness. I’ve cut down on my workload. Now people know why. I’m not one of those actresses who’d grab anything that comes my way. I’ll continue doing my serial Karishma: The Miracle Of Destiny. And a couple of films per year.
Your husband-to-be has no objection to your career?
Not at all. I think in today’s marriage it’s very important for both the partners to pursue their careers. I’ve been a workaholic from the age of 16. And I don’t wish to chuck it all. I do want to settle down now. Marriage is happening at the right time for me. What makes me specially happy is the smiles that I see on my parents and sister’s faces. My family is happy and excited. I just want everyone’s blessings.
