Fenil and Bollywood

SUBHASH K JHA Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; December 15, 2009)

Katrina Kaif, who has just been voted the Sexiest Asian Woman the second time over by a UK publication, is of the opinion that in the Indian context — sexy has a very different definition. “It means a person is more appealing than overtly physically attractive. These titles come from the fact that I’m currently in people’s consciousness because of the work that I have done this year. New York, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and De Dana Dan all worked,” says the Bollywood hottie, adding, “People should see me at home. I’m painfully unglamorous. Just another working girl making a living. I certainly don’t fit into the conventional sexy babe groove. I’m more in the girl next door mould. And that’s the image I’m comfortable with.” She also feels being sexy is not about clothes and the oomph. “It’s not about how hard you can pout into the camera. It’s about being a complete woman without trying.”

Kat also feels Asians define sexiness in ways that go beyond the skin. “I think we Indians define sexy in a different way than other parts of the world. I think Asian women are seen to be sexy when they can fit into the domestic image. Plain and simple, the girls the Indian guys can take home to their mothers are sexy.” Pondering on being conventionally sexy, Katrina adds, “I did do some oomphy stuff last year, like Zara Zara Kiss Me in Race. So maybe being called the Sexiest or whatever made sense in 2008. But this year all my roles have been of wholesome girls next door. What was sexy about my character in New York or Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani? And in my next release I wear sober sarees and project an image that’s a far cry from the bubbly all-over-the-place nymphet that people expect me to be.”