Wearing a happy glow, and definitely warmer in conversation, in her first interview after marriage to Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor (who hasn't suffixed Khan to her name), tells TOI how marriage was only a 'stamp' to make her family and friends happy.

In his interview after marriage to TOI Saif said he was relieved that finally all speculation about marriage has come to an end. Did you also feel the same? See, I was with Saif for five and half years before getting married. I had a live-in relationship with him and we were quite open about this fact.

Many people want to hide their boyfriends in public. I didn't. I have tried and tested the live-in relationship formula and now I can personally endorse it for modern Indian couples (laughs). And live-ins are a reality in modern India. I am a modern woman and I am glad I could live up to what I believe in.

Not withstanding the respite from all prying eyes and blabbering tongues... Ah! Yes...Its like Saif always says, we shouldn't try to be traditional when we are living in a modern world. I didn't have to acknowledge the presence of gossip in my life, but the marriage stamp was important for my people, family and friends, even fans. And yes, now there are no more people and media chasing us...the chase is over, the plot (of their wedding) is out!

Actresses who married before you were subject to an assessment of their market worth in the film industry with a 'Mrs' tag attached. Are you prepared for that challenge? Actually, it's all about the way you handle it. Films don't decide my whole life. They are just a part of who I am. What I do in my personal life should be of no concern to the filmmakers or the fans. And besides, you are as old as you look. If you are fit and pretty at an X age, why won't filmmakers want to cast you, whether you are married or not?

But do you think our industry is ready for this kind of a modern nuance to a married actress's life? Well if they aren't...too bad. We only claim to understand the modern values in our society but unfortunately in our minds we are still stuck in a time frame of years ago. I chose to get married at 32, not 36. I chose to get married while I was still at the peak of my career and not at the fag end.

Besides, I also think it matters who you are married to. In that respect, Saif is a very modern man, he is very much like an international actor in his mindset. He doesn't expect any compromises from me in terms of my career. But if this attitude against me being married still persists, (shrugs) I can't do much about it. I am not here to change the thinking of the industry. I am only here to do my job.

The promos of 'Talaash' are out and you look good in there. Your first film to release post the wedding...What are your reactions? I have an interesting role in the film. I am eagerly awaiting it but having said that, there are no intentions of over publicizing the film's release. I think actors these days are going overboard marketing their films...they are becoming like monkeys, screaming from rooftops about their films, cavorting on the roads with it!

If a Dabangg 2 is good, whether you publicize it or not, people will go and watch it. I am also excited about playing a journalist in Prakash Jha's Satyagraha, though I won't be asking prying question about anyone's personal life as a journalist (laughs).