I would be lying if I said I’m not thrilled about being on the power list,’’ she says. “Most actors would be diplomatic and say, ‘Oh, its okay ... it’s a passing thing, it means more responsibility’ or whatever. But I’m completely over the moon. I have worked my butt off to get to this position and I will strive harder to maintain it.

Talking of her butt, the actress says Saif Ali Khan is ecstatic that she has got it back! Explaining how this butt phenomenon happened, she says, “I was shooting for Karan Johar’s Qurbaan in New York with Saif, after which we flew to London and Italy for our vacation. And during our holiday I did nothing but eat. We would be strolling the streets of London and I would say, ‘Saifu, let’s go for breakfast.’ Then an hour later I was eating French fries, and two hours later I wanted lunch. Saif couldn’t believe I was the same girl he is dating. I was constantly hungry. The best part of our vacation is that I got my butt back. Saif is relieved. He said, ‘Thank God, I’m no longer dating a hanger.’ My size zero definitely bothered him. He thought I was thin enough to hang clothes on.

If Saif is excited about her now sexy posterior, then Kareena in turn is excited about his maiden home production Love Aaj Kal. The actress, who saw the rushes, says, “It is an adorable film. Saif is as good as a Sikh in it as he is in his other role. As for Deepika, she is perfect for the part. I think Imtiaz Ali knew what he was doing when he cast her.’’ The chemistry between Deepika and Saif in Love Aaj Kal reminds Kareena of the chemistry he shared with Rani Mukerji in Hum Tum. “People have been making this big brouhaha about how Saif wanted me and not Deepika in the film. That I can understand. We are in love and Saif and I would like to do as many films together as possible, because we don’t like being separated for 40-50 days at a stretch. It bothers us. However, I’m not in the least bit jealous of Deepika. She is tailor-made for the role and is very good in the film.

She’s called marriage with Saif “just a formality” in the past. Is she going to move in with him? “Not right now. We travel a lot and we’re together pretty often. Besides, work takes up most of our time.” And what about the references to her as chhoti begum? “About chhoti begum ... I honestly feel it’s something we should save for a little later. Both Saif and I are working right now, and of course, I look forward to a wonderful future with Saif, but nothing is decided. Marriage? Not for two years,” she answers.

And tattoos? Never! “Saif doesn’t like women with tattoos. He feels that a woman is too pristine and pure to mark herself that way. I believe in the same thing. And I think he knows how much I love him ... ,” says Kareena.

She says she and Saif have an “added responsibility”, as couples look up to them and their out-in-the-open relationship. “I’ve always been open about my relationships and my work. Saif comes from a very affluent family and a family associated with sports. Sports stand for a lot of integrity and honour. Both of us connect on that level. And I guess we’re trying to fulfil that in public. The audience, fans and the media should know what they should know, and I think we know where to draw the line. So they don’t know where I go on holiday with Saif, but they know that we do go on holidays,” says Kareena.