MUMBAI - Kareena Kapoor admits she gets upset when uncharitable remarks are made about her or her performance. Though the actress doesn’t mind healthy criticism, she isn’t amused when comments are made without any provocation or reason.

“I have realised over a period of time that the higher you go, more and more people will try to pull you down. I used to hear about this from my sister (Karisma) but am experiencing this first hand now. It isn’t really funny actually,” Kareena told IANS.

Kareena was obviously referring to a section of the media coming down heavily on her since the release of “Kambakkht Ishq”.

“Well, the movie has released, done well and it’s time to move on to newer things. Critics had things to say about the film and it’s okay if they didn’t like the film. In any case, audiences had their own take on the film and they made the film a success. It’s all balanced out at the end of the day,” she said.

Some critics did feel that the “Kambakkht Ishq” content was too abusive at places.

“That continues to beat me,” she said in an amused tone. “Come on, it was just a movie. We were not developing any rocket science there. However, I guess some people did take it all personally and equated ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ to World War III,” said Kareena.

She can’t be immune to criticism though, isn’t it?

“Yes, I do tend to get upset and depressed when people try to pull me down. Sometimes it just comes from nowhere and you end up feeling that what did you really do so wrong to be facing such criticism.

“But then I understand that there could be a phase in one’s life when you get attacked from all corners. It’s fine because I know it will pass,” said the actress who is looking forward to the release of “Qurbaan” before year-end.

She is happy though that she has a loyal set of friends, family members and supporters around her who help her keep her chin up.

“And then of course there is Saif,” she perked up. “He has been around for so long and keeps me happy and smiling. Yes, there are detractors, but then there are supporters as well. After seeing Bollywood business closely for so long, I try not to take things too seriously.”

Her “Tashan” didn’t do well at the box office, but Kareena has had impressive releases over the last few years like “Omkara”, “Jab We Met”, “Golmaal Returns” and now “Kambakkht Ishq” doing well at the box office. In between, she also had a special appearance in another box office winner “Don - The Chase Begins Again”.

“Yes, thankfully it has been a nice run. I’m now really looking forward to ‘Qurbaan’, ‘Main Aur Mrs. Khanna’ and ‘3 Idiots’.”

(Joginder Tuteja can be contacted at joginder_tuteja@rediffmail.com)