by Subhash K Jha

Seldom has Kareena been so charged about any film. "I just have a gut feeling about Othello. It's going to take me to another level."

Kareena was planning to go to Cannes where the film's producers are showing a 6-7-minute show-reel on Othello. "I was definitely planning my trip to Cannes this Summer," promises Kareena enthusiastically.

"The producer Kumar Mangat has put up an entire Othello stall at Cannes. I think it'd have been be a great experience. But I'm in the middle of my world concerts. People are already so curious about this Indian version of Shakespeare that Vishal Bhardwaj has done.

I'm sure they want to know what I've done with Desdemona. It's about time I moved to another level in my career. I feel Othello will take me there."

Her voice rises in animated anticipation. "Believe me, playing Desdemona in Othello has been my most challenging experience as an actress. There're very few roles which have given me satisfaction—Refugee, Ashoka, Chameli, Yuva and now Othello. I myself can't believe what I've done here."

Another level of excitement? Her first film with Shah Rukh Khan since Ashoka where Kareena had dazzled as the exotic and enigmatic Mauryan princess.

"Yes, I'm going from Vishal Bharadwaj to Ram Gopal Varma ...It's quite a journey, and one that I'm thoroughly looking forward to. You know, I've always been Shah Rukh's biggest fan.

Even before I came into the industry I used to find him smashing. I think our chemistry in Ashoka was unmatchable. Now I'm sure what Ramu will do with the two of us will be something else."

Right now she's excited about her new release 36 Chinatown. "It's a nice sensuous suspense film and my second with Abbas-Mustan. I've lots of very interesting scenes with Shahid and Akshaye Khanna. It's a full-on commercial film. But again I don't have any really romantic scenes with Shahid. I wish some producer would cast us in a truly romantic film."