by Subhash K Jha

She's the new Garnier girl. And she's looking smashing in the ads. Compliments about her looks don't faze Kareena. She's used to them.

"Garnier is about youth style and energy. If they've chosen me, it's because they think I can make a style statement on their product. So I'm quite flattered that they chose me. Since Garnier is an international multi-national I'm honoured."

Kareena's world seems to be complete. She has just given a powerhouse performance as a doctor treating a mentally disturbed patient in Priyadarshan's Kyun Ki.

"It wasn't a fun role like Priyan's Hulchal where we all had a ball. This was far more serious, though still a lot of fun. I can't shoot with Priyan and not have fun," Kareena laughs loudly.

She has already done three films so far with the prolific Priyan.

"I've never done so many films before with any director. I've just completed my second film with Satishji(Milenge Milenge). And I'm doing my second film with Abbas-Mustan. But never before have I done three films with the same director in such quick succession, and that too in such different films."

Kareena plays a deaf-and-mute girl in Priyan's next. "And even in Kyun Ki I'm not all bak-bak. I listen a lot. Salman plays the outgoing one. I like that. I had a lot of quiet moments in my first film Refugee," she recalls fondly.

Many people have noticed her traditional sari-clad look in Kyun Ki. "I dressed that way in Bewafaa also. I like wearing saris. They can be really glamorous. Look how sensuous Sridevi looked in a sari in Chandni and Mr India...or for that matter Madhuri while doing the dhak dhak song in Beta ..Or my sister Karisma in Raja Hindustani. I don't think being attractive is about just short skirts and high heels."

She raves about Salman. "I know him as my sister's co-star. At first he was very awkward being paired with me. 'How can I be romancing you? You're Lolo's kid sister'. But like the two professionals that we are we succeeded in establishing a comfort level. Now we're doing Salman's home production My Punjabi Nikaah with him. We'll have loads of fun."

Coming back to Kyun Ki, Kareena expresses some nervousness. "Everyone wants to see Salman and me together. And they won't be disappointed. We really look good together. Like Akshay, Salman has done many films with my sister. Now it's my turn."