The wait is over
Sajid Nadiadwala: It has been a long strike but it was a much deserved one. We had healthy discussions and the outcome is for the betterment of our industry. It was long overdue. I am eagerly waiting for Kambakkht Ishq to be released because it has been ready for almost nine months and it is like labour pains now. It is difficult to hold a complete film for a long time as everyone begins to lose interest in the project.

Akshay Kumar: Finally the 60-day wait is over. I know everyone was bored as there were no good films in the theatres. Masala, in the name of entertainment, ki bahut zaroorat hai. Now with the battle of the multiplexes over, it is time for the battle of the sexes.

Kareena Kapoor: We were all waiting for this day and now that the producer-multiplex issue is resolved, we can look forward to some great films. I want to enjoy films with a bucket of popcorn and a doughnut. I am very excited, as there are just 30 weeks left of the year and 80 films to release. I want all of them to do well.

Event Management
Sajid: Akshay has flown down from Karjat where he was shooting for Action Replay and Kareena has flown down from Mehboob Studios (laughs as the studio is just round the corner) at a very short notice. We wanted to have this function today since like the audience we too are starved of entertainment. Now all of us can look forward to some good films in the coming days.

Akshay: Technically it is a very huge film, also the most expensive one from Sajid Nadiadwala’s banner. We hope to recreate the magic of Heyy Baby.

Kareena: This is a special evening, for a special film. I enjoyed working on a wonderful film with my favourite actor Akshay, amazing producer Sajid, and brilliant new director Sabbir.

In character
Kareena: I play Simrita Rai, an arrogant girl who is against love. She is a part time supermodel who wants to be a sergeant. What I like best about the film is a song that has my nickname ‘Bebo’ in it.

Akshay: Viraj Shergill is a stuntman and I have been doing stunts for years now. Kambakkht Ishq is not entirely an action film. I would call it a rom-com.

Hollywood vs Bollywood
Kareena: It is every Indian actor’s dream and we always look up to Hollywood and want to go there and do films. But Sajid went a step ahead and got Hollywood to Bollywood. It is a great honour and experience for all of us. Sylvester Stallone is a world famous action hero and our Akshay Kumar is no less. However it would be fantastic to watch both the superstars together on screen.

Akshay: Working with Sylvester Stallone was a dream come true. His Rambo has given me a lot of ideas. I shared a lot with the superstar. On the sets, we shared health tips. Every stuntman or even an athlete faces knee problem after a time, we spoke about our ailments as well. We even discussed how easy it is to watch stunt scenes but difficult to perform them.

Sajid: I wanted to make a film with Hollywood stars and so even during the scripting stages, I would create a character with a particular Hollywood star in mind, irrespective of the fact whether they will sign the film or not. So many names were erased out. Bit by bit things started falling into place and I was lucky to have stars like Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards, Brandon Routh and Holly Valance in my film. They are such perfectionists. They came to the sets in their own cars and there was no spot boy holding umbrellas or following them with a coffee mug for them. When they were in front of the camera, most of us would stare at them with our mouths wide open in awe of them. In fact when they came to sign the contract, I was perplexed whether to take their signature or an autograph for myself. One day after the ‘Roll Camera Action’ was anno-unced, nothing happened and everyone turned to see that the cameraman Vikas Sivraman was engrossed in a chat with Stallone!

Fashion icon
Kareena: The style and fashion in Kambakkht Ishq has been taken to a different level. There is a chic look to the clothes that I have worn in it.

New talent
Akshay: I have always delivered hits with new directors: be it Vipul Shah, Sajid Khan and others. So it be again.

Sajid: With Heyy Baby, Sajid Khan gave a big hit. Now I am hopeful of Sabbir. I believe in promoting fresh talent because we have limited stories and the perspective of a new director is different and always welcome.

Women power
Akshay: I have learnt that women are the most powerful. They are stronger then men. I have just finished shooting for Fear Factor with 30 women and believe me; they have more guts than men.

Favourite co-star
Kareena: Akshay has always been my favorite.

Akshay: It is difficult to say. However I would say it is the Kapoor sisters. I have done 14 films with Karisma and seven with Kareena, a total of 21 films. And now I will be working with their father Randhir Kapoor, in two films.