What's this about you being the highest paid actress in India?
I don't know what other actors get paid. And I don't care. I get what I deserve. I've slogged right from Refugee to Jab We Met and Tashan. An actor is signed for what he or she can deliver.

Is your price flexible?
I've always been flexible with my fee. The hunger is for the right roles.

Does all the attention given to your relationship with saif scare you?
I can't stop living my life the way I want to just because of the attention. As long as I don't let my family down, I'm not scared. I'll always retain my values. But, yes, at times this endless attention does get scary. There're so many false stories about Saif and me. But it's okay. I understand the need to know what's going in our lives. Are we married... are we not married? Please! Fortunately, I've learnt to take all this unwanted speculation in my stride. The best thing is to just do my work and not get affected by the loose talk.

You look far calmer these days; quite unlike the restless Kareena we all knew a few years ago.
I was a child then.

Is it the Saif effect?
Of course, it is. Also, experiences have made me stronger.

Like?
I mean whatever I have gone through in my personal and professional life. I’m a stronger girl now, far more at ease with myself than I was earlier. I’m doing things, which I want to.

Are you fully comfortable in your relationship with Saif?
Yes. But only the two people in a relationship know what is going on. I don't think people have the right to know what's going on in my private life. They've my films to judge me by. I don't need to give explanations about what happens behind my closed doors. Right now I'm loving it. The paparazzi are doing their job. We're doing ours. Both Saif and I understand that.

You have moved on in your personal life. Was it difficult parting with Shahid?
Yes, it was a very difficult period. Whatever went wrong between Shahid and me is very personal. I have always maintained that Shahid will always be part of my life. But, we are better off as friends. There is no animosity.

On hindsight, do you think you could have done something to save the relationship?
Sometimes there are no reasons for things, which happen in life. Even if there’s one, I don't think it’s right to talk about it openly.

Are you in touch with Shahid?
Oh yes. I message him and he messages me.

Did it take time for your family to absorb the fact that you were in love with Saif?
No, I don't think so. My mother is cool about it. And Karisma and Saif get along like a house on fire.

You and Saif don't have that much work together.
We only have Renzil d'Silva's film together. Both of us are too sensible to sign films just to spend time together. Saif is way too mature and extremely understanding. He respects the kind of work I like to do as I respect his work. And we keep our careers apart. Saif knows that right now my career is the most important thing to me. I've worked really hard to get where I am. My family and friends know how much I've slogged. I won't give it up for anything.

So career wins over love?
There's no comparison between the two. When I'm working, I'm working. And when I'm with him (Saif), I'm all there. Besides, Saif is a superstar himself. He's so busy.

How is Saif as a partner? 
He is fun and extremely loyal. He has all the qualities, which I always wanted in a man.

Is he very possessive? There were stories that he was upset with your dress at the IIFA awards and also when you gave a peck on the cheek to Sylvester Stallone?
Saif is very supportive. He gives me space. All those stories were false.