Men melt like rubber when she switches that smile full on. Women can do nothing but gape unabashedly. It`s always been this way for Kareena Kapoor. Films or no films. Flops or no flops. "I don`t make any bones about my flops. And why single me out? The biggest of stars have had the biggest of flops," has always been her defence.

But the times are tough for Kareena, just as they are for so many other stars today. With the crash-boom-bust of the box-office thundering louder with each successive film that bites the dust, nobody, not even the ever-confident Kareena, can sleep easy. As she says, "Okay, so I`m the queen of flops. But despite them producers are tumbling over each other to sign me on. Why? Surely, they know my worth." Told you she was irrepressible. And yup, she knows how to act like a star. She`s been accused often enough of having an attitude problem. "Malicious things are being written about me. I`m terribly hurt. Henceforth, I`ll let my work talk for me. I don`t understand why people keep saying that. I get along with all my co-stars. I have no qualms about complimenting other actresses. So I can`t understand why I`m accused of having a problem. Okay, I`m brutally honest. But that`s the way I`m. I`d rather say it to your face than bitch behind your back." It`s an attitude that has often got her into trouble with other actresses. No wonder then, big sister Karisma has advised her to keep a low profile for some time.

Recently, she caused quite a flutter in the industry when she walked out of Karan Johar`s Kal Ho Na Ho. Ask her about it and she says candidly, "I`ve reached a stage where I either want a good role or money. I won`t compromise for anyone. I`ve compromised enough and look where it`s got me. Right now, I`m taking the reins of my career in my hands. "I`ll make chhutti of all the heroines. Just watch out for me!" she declared.