Kareena 2.0: Taming of the Shrew

The new Kareena Kapoor is almost nothing like the old one. The actress, who turned 30 last month, is calmer and less controversial.

The new Kareena Kapoor is almost nothing like the old one. The actress, who turned 30 last month, is calmer and less controversial. Gone are the days when she picked fights with co-stars, publicly dubbing Bipasha Basu a kaali billi on the sets of their first film together, or looking through Preity Zinta at every awards ceremony.

Signs of maturity, some would say. A good thing, most would agree. But gone with that temperamental attitude and lack of public grace appears to be the actress’ competitive, ambitious spirit.

She who once courted edgy filmmakers and sought out challenging roles in such films as Sudhir Mishra’s Chameli, Govind Nihalani’s Dev and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara, seems content now playing ordinary parts in ‘big’ films.

Today, she happily admits she doesn’t care that she had little to do in 3 Idiots, but is thrilled to be a part of the biggest hit of Hindi cinema. This, coming from the same girl who only years ago had turned down the lead opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Karan Johar’s Kal Ho Na Ho because the fee wasn’t satisfactory.

Next up for her, the role of a South Indian housewife in Shah Rukh Khan’s superhero flick Ra.One, and the love interest of an international spy in boyfriend Saif Ali Khan’s Agent Vinod.

It’s probably unfair to question an actress’ choices. And one wouldn’t if this were Deepika Padukone or Sonam Kapoor. But from Kareena you’re allowed to expect more. She’s shown us she’s got the chops.

Could we please have the old Kareena back? Even if it means she’ll go back to snubbing other actresses at public events!