Kareena Kapoor Khan dazzled as the showstopper for Delhi-based designer Amit Aggarwal during the grand finale of the recently concluded Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2020 in Mumbai. Clad in a structured emerald green gown with a plunging neckline and long trail, Bebo stole the show. Right before the show, The Telegraph caught up with Kareena for an exclusive chat.

This is LFW’s 20th year and you recently completed 20 years in the industry too. How do you view your journey so far?

Yes! It’s such a nice coincidence that both LFW and me are celebrating 20 years in 2020! Being here with Lakmé has always been a highlight of my year and I look forward to coming back to the Grand Finale runway. My journey has been great and it’s because of the love and affection I’ve gotten over the years. I’m very grateful.

How close is the outfit you are wearing for the grand finale to your personal style?

I think it’s different to what people would have seen me wearing at a finale before. It’s sexier and yet very elegant. On the runway it’s about making a statement and I think the outfit did that beautifully bringing the #BetterIn3D theme alive.

Can you describe this outfit in three words?

Dramatic, hot as well as very structured.

What’s the most impressive thing about Amit Aggarwal according to you?

I think his entire range, his cuts and his gowns are very different than what you get to see in regular clothes. It’s slightly more dramatic with bold colours and his cuts go without concept which is #BetterIn3D, so I think he’s perfect for the finale.

How has your equation of being the showstopper for LFW evolved over the years?

It has been great! It has been an amazing association because season after season, year after year, I’ve got the opportunity to walk for so many designers. It has been absolutely amazing to look glamorous and taking the ramp at the finale. Like I mentioned, I look forward to coming back to the Grand Finale runway. Over the years I’ve gotten to wear some of the best designs and work with so many amazing designers. The Lakmé Absolute Grand Finale is truly one of a kind.

How do you react when people see you and still talk in Poo (from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham) dialogues after so many years and tell you that Poo changed their lives?

Poo set quite a few trends for girls all over. Apart from most of us constantly saying ‘whatever’ to almost anything we want to discuss (laughs). Poo loved herself and didn’t care a hoot for what anyone else had to say. The first and one of the most obvious reasons to look up to Poo is because she’s unabashedly in love with herself, right from her opening scene!

You’re still not on any social media platforms. Is it a conscious effort to stay out of the limelight or you just hate it?

No, I don’t hate it at all and I’d never say never to not come on social media. It’s the digital age and things are changing, so you never know. Of course I want to stay connected to my fans, I want to stay close to them. I know there are so many online Instagram handles and my fan pages. Let’s see, I’m working on something and it won’t be too long and I want to stay connected. So I will come up with something.

Any plans of a web debut as well?

Not right now. I’m busy with Aamir’s (Khan) film (Laal Singh Chaddha) and then I’m starting Takht right now, there’s too much happening. But I’d love to. There’s competition at home, it has to be as good as Sacred Games (starring husband Saif Ali Khan)!

A beauty product you can’t do without?

My Lakmé Eyeconic Kajal, it’s my holy grail of makeup and of course I love a good lipstick! I’m currently crushing on the ‘Elegant Pink’ shade from the Lakmé Absolute 3D Matte range.

What’s your spring/summer make-up mantra?

I think that spring/summer is perfect for pinks and right now I’m wearing the ‘Elegant Pink’ lipstick which is one of my favourites from the collection. It goes really well for brunches since it’s summer, as well as for an early evening night out thing.

Who is your fashion idol?

My sister Karisma (Kapoor).

What’s that one fashion trend you never understood?

Couture is not up my alley and I never go out of my way to style myself in a couture gown.

Who’s your 4am Bollywood friend?

Amu (Amrita Arora) is my best friend, I can call her at 4am and at 4pm.

When was your first encounter with make-up?

I think quite early on when I would raid my grandmother and mother’s dressing tables and discover what a lipstick is! Think my love for a good lipstick has been there from the start!

Did Karisma and you experiment with each other’s clothes and make-up while growing up?

One of the biggest advantages of having a sister is that you can always share each other’s clothes. Be it some special occasion or a casual hangout, you can always sneak her favourite dress from her closet because why not (laughs)! Just like any other sister duo, Bollywood sisters also share their clothes with each other. Whenever I feel like dressing up, I always remember Lolo (Karisma). I just love her fashion sense and I follow her a lot. She used to choose my outfits and get me ready when I was a kid and I loved it. I still ask for her fashion advice as she gives great suggestions and styling tips.

What’s your go-to make-up look for summers?

My go-to make-up look will always be the Lakmé Eyeconic Kajal pencil because that’s just synonymous with me. I think that’ll never leave my handbag. That’s my first forever love.

What’s your daily morning and night-time skincare routine like?

Honestly, there’s no skincare as such, it’s not like I have a five-step plan. It’s just that I use a very simple and basic moisturiser.

We recently saw the first look of Laal Singh Chaddha. What is going on at the shoot in Calcutta?

I am glad that people loved it. It’s always wonderful shooting with Aamir. I am sure we will live up to people’s expectations.

You’ve worked with Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots and Talaash. How has the working equation evolved over the years?

I am his biggest fan. I think it’s an absolute honour and dream come true for me to always stand in the same frame as Aamir Khan.

You’re also working with Irrfan Khan in Angrezi Medium. How is he as a co-star?

I always wanted to work with Irrfan. He is a gem of a person. It’s a pleasure to collaborate with him.

Twenty years in the film industry, which ones are some of your most favourite roles till date?

There are so many iconic roles and so many iconic directors that have helped graph this entire journey of mine. It’s just been unbelievable and I’ve been very lucky to have worked with so many amazing people. It’s tough to name a few - whether it’s Chameli or Dev or Omkara or Jab We Met or Yuva with Mani Ratnam or my first film Refugee or Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, there have been iconic films in each generation. I never want to look back, I always want to cherish all that but I want to look forward. Here’s to another 20, God willing!

How is Taimur and how well does he handle the paparazzi now?

I think he is as chilled out as his parents. I think he is unaffected and I hope he will always stay that way!