"Vidya is the hero of 2011" - Kareena Kapoor at India Today Conclave 2012

The third session of the India Today Conclave 2012 saw Kareena Kapoor raising the glamour quotient a couple of notches higher. Dressed in a yellow sari with a pink border, Kareena spoke about how the Heroine becomes the hero.

"I'm not a hero. Because in all the 100 crore films you mentioned, the 3 Khans and producers took home the money, and what was I left with? Just one chammak challo! So no, I'm not a hero. Until that happens, until I'm paid what they're paid, I'm not on the same platform. But times are changing. And Vidya has truly changed things with The Dirty Picture. She truly was the hero of 2011"

"Art doesn't live in vacuum. The cinema that we make comes from our culture. I'm fortunate to have done a variety of films like Chameli, Omkara and 3 Idiots. However, I have a long way to go. When a film like The Dirty Picture generates such revenue, I feel elevated."

"In Bollywood, its always about the Khans. And don't ask me what Salman is paid and what I am."

"Even today, if a director comes to an actress with a script but doesnt have the backing of a producer, I"ll be honest, I'd be scared. But Vidya's changed that in Kahaani. SHe took a risk and worked in that film and made it work"

When asked, would she have taken up the role in The Dirty Picture:

"You know, a lot of people have asked me that question. And I'll honestly say, that it was one of the bravest endeavors taken on by any actor in India and one of the best performances I've seen, so hats off to Vidya Balan! But I honestly dont have an answer to that question"

"I dont have a dream role but I do dream of us actresses getting roles that are on par with the heroes. Just today I read Kaveri's article on how the actresses are rising up, and it featured Vidya, me, quite a few of us, and how times are changing"

"Heroine is turning out pretty well... It's an exciting journey of an actress, she is slightly schizophrenic and she has got these different mood swings it's very difficult for me to do...But I am glad there is a role like this. It is fun not to stand behind Shahrukh and Salman & go *waves hand* 'hey, I'm here as well'."

When asked to give details about Saif and Iqbal's scuffle, who's fist flew first:

"Well unfortunately, that question has nothing to do with How the Heroine becomes the Hero, becuase it was not my fist that flew. I wasn't the hero that night at the Wasabi"

"I just watched The Black Swan and I loved it. I spoke to Madhur about it and was talking about what impressive film it was and he just dismissed me by saying, Nahi yaar, bahut dark hai, thoda color hona chaahiye, yahaan kabhi nahi chalegi, and I realized how behind we are. That directors are not even willing to take on such a subject here"

"I hate the word item song. Its deragatory. Why cant we just call it a song? And its a part of our hindi cinema. And unfortunately, it seems that times arent changing very much. Today, if you look at the success of chikni chameli and Chammak challo, or Sheila nad Munni for that matter, you see how these kind of songs still tantalize the audience"

"Are people ready for change? I mean yes, you have a Kahaani and a Paan Singh Tomaar, and you think that times are changing. But then comes a Bodyguard, which didnt really have the best script, and I was part of it, but people throng to watch it. They love their shirtless Salman Khan. So maybe, the audience's mindset has to change as well"

On Marriage:

"I will get married hopefully by the end of this year... because I am busy doing 'Heroine' and I have to finish the film first. We are not yet going to announce the date. We are in no such rush but it will happen this year,"