Katrina seems pretty miffed with media for giving it too much attention “I fail to understand why people must constantly focus on just one aspect of an event,’’ says Kat. “I’m not complaining because I know that if you are in the eye of the media, it only means that you are important enough to them. However, my bumping into Shah Rukh or spending time with him at an event is just a regular thing. I think people should stop trying to look for controversy in every nook and cranny. All of us are here to work. And we have common functions to attend. Naturally, when we’re under the same roof, we will interact. Why make a fuss? Who wouldn’t want to associate with Shah Rukh or Karan Johar?’’

Its not only SRK that Katrina is bounding big time with she is also going ga ga over Kareena and their new found love “She is very nice girl and I like her as well as her work. We even shares one manager and I am a big fan of her whenever we meet each other she talks with me very nicely and I too love her company. I really do admire her as one of the great actress in the industry.” Says Kat. There had been news in the industry about their cold war but with this statement of Kat, she is putting it all the rumours at rest.

She is aware that controversies don’t carry a star through. “After four years in the industry, I know fully well that if your work doesn’t speak for you, everything else is inconsequential,” admitted Katrina. “Believe me, I’m not excited about being in the paper everyday, or on TV, unless there is something in my career worth talking about. Media hype and publicity can’t sustain a star for long. It’s like an air balloon that can be pricked anytime... and will go phut.’’

Wanting to take her career to the next level, Katrina is keen to associate with makers like Karan Johar. Once again she isn’t looking for any smart-ale remarks on how she is switching camps. “Karan thinks out of the box. On the one hand, he makes a Dostana and then a path-breaking film like Wake Up Sid. Naturally, I’d like to do a film for his banner. Likewise, working with Adi is a pleasure. He has a young unit and they work with clockwork precision. Doing a film for them is being on a school camp, but completely result oriented.’’

Having said that, Katrina still knows that she has achieved just 20 per cent of what actresses like Kareena Kapoor have. “Honestly, I have no illusions about where I’m positioned,’’ said the pragmatic girl. “I’m nobody’s fool and for the moment, all I want is to do is some good work.’’ 

For those taking stock of her dazzling rise, it is hardly ajab to presume that her ghazab ki bankability has only helped bankroll projects. And it is this unwavering faith invested in her histrionics that turned the tide for her. “New York surprised many. That I was inclined to look beyond the hackneyed was a clear signal sent out. With New York, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, De Dana Dan and Rajneeti, I’ve done a mixed bag of roles,” says Katrina.

Always on the ball, it comes as no surprise that Katrina having dethroned her reigning peers is also the new endorsement queen, what with her equity rising sharply. “We have grown up on brands. There have been some that I’ve wanted to endorse. I’ve just been plain lucky that a few have come my way. There are a few more left to conquer,” she ribs. Like Priyanka’s character in Fashion, would it unsettle her if she were to wake up one day to find “someone younger unseating her? “It doesn’t bother me,” she says, impassively.

In fact, Katz is just as offhand handling the now-on now-off rumours of her relationship with Salman Khan. “I don’t react to hearsay,” Katrina maintains, saying that the more one confabs, the more likely are others to jump to conclusions.

She has no difficulty though talking about the drivel surrounding her cameos in films. About her guest role in Blue or of Salman’s supposed special appearance in Ajab she explains, “Salman has never really given his career much thought. He always thinks with his heart. I agree that sometimes you need to do stuff for your friends. You have to do what you feel at that point in time.” A gut reaction she has come to rely on.

Without forewarning, when asked on impulse when is a relationship ajab or ghazab, Katz after careful consideration says, “Every relationship is ajab for sure. It becomes ghazab when you understand what you share with that person.” It’s a no-brainer.