HELLO! India Exclusive: “There are moments I’d love to pause; not out of nostalgia, but gratitude”, says Katrina Kaif

It is often said that time can change anything. For Katrina Kaif, the passage of 20+ years in a industry with constantly-moving parts has brought with it a quieter appreciation for the moments that shape both career and character. In an exclusive conversation with HELLO! India, the RADO ambassador reflects not on what she would have changed, but on what she would hold on to.

(Also Read: HELLO! India Exclusive: “Jewellery has become a key pillar of self-expression”: Vivek Oberoi on the shift in men’s style)

"Certain phases challenged me"

"There are moments I’d love to pause—not out of nostalgia, but gratitude,” Katrina says. “Certain phases challenged me, taught me patience, and helped me understand myself better, and I wouldn’t want to rush past that growth.” While glancing back at the positives can bring joy, her words impress on how even the trying times can bloom into something greater; something that only hindsight can deliver. 

"Now, I’m far more conscious of how I spend my time"

For Kaif, the idea of pausing is less about holding on to the past and more about recognising what each chapter offers. The arc of a career lived under the public gaze inevitably includes both certainty and doubt. Yet it is often the quieter, more testing periods that leave the deepest imprint. “Yes, very much so,” Kaif says when asked whether she is more conscious of how she spends it now than she once was. “Earlier, life felt like it was about constant movement—doing more, achieving more. Now, I’m far more conscious of how I spend my time and who I spend it with. Balance has become important, and I value moments that allow me to slow down, reflect, and be present.”

That sense of balance extends beyond work and into the small choices that shape everyday life; from creative collaborations to personal style. “A watch is definitely more than just functional,” she explains. “It’s an extension of personal style and sensibility. I’m naturally drawn to pieces that feel timeless rather than trend-driven.”

“Individuality doesn’t dilute harmony"

Reflecting on working with fellow RADO brand ambassafor Hrithik Roshan, she notes, “Working together reinforced my admiration for Hrithik’s discipline and focus. Beyond the obvious professionalism, there’s a sense of calm and thoughtfulness he brings to the process, which makes collaboration feel very natural and effortless.” It is this interplay of different energies, she believes, that often creates the strongest connections. “Absolutely. Contrast brings depth and energy to any connection,” she says. “Individuality doesn’t dilute harmony; it enhances it.”

In many ways, Kaif’s reflections reveal a reminder that growth often lies in the moments we might once have wished to hurry through, but now recognise as essential to the journey.

(Also Read: Hrithik Roshan to HELLO! India: "The moments that truly deserve to be remembered aren’t always the visible ones”)