Mass popularity: Katrina Kaif ( pronounced [k?’?ri?na? ’k??f], born Katrina Turquotte; 16 July 1983) is a British[5] film actress and model. Primarily known for her work in Hindi films, Kaif has also appeared in Telugu and Malayalam films. In addition to being one of Bollywood’s highest-paid actresses, she is considered one of India’s most attractive celebrities by media.
Born in Hong Kong, Kaif and her family lived in several countries before she moved to London. She received her first modelling assignment as a teenager and later pursued a career as a fashion model. At a fashion show in London, filmmaker Kaizad Gustad spotted Kaif and decided to cast her in Boom ( 2003) , a critical and commercial failure. While filming in India, Kaif received modelling assignments and established a successful modelling career. However, filmmakers were hesitant to cast her due to her poor command of Hindi. After appearing in the Telugu film, Malliswari ( 2004) , Kaif earned commercial success in Bollywood with the romantic comedies Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? ( 2005) and Namastey London ( 2007) . She followed with a series of box-office hits, but was criticised for her acting, repetitive roles and inclination to male-dominated films.
Kaif’s performance in the 2009 terrorism drama New York was better received, earning her a Filmfare Award for Best Actress nomination. After roles in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani ( 2009) , Raajneeti ( 2010) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara ( 2011) , she received her second Filmfare nomination for her performance in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan ( 2011) . Kaif featured in the thrillers Ek Tha Tiger ( 2012) and Dhoom 3 ( 2013) , both of which rank among the highest-grossing Bollywood films of all time. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics for her acting prowess, she has established herself as a commercially successful actress of Hindi cinema.
In addition to acting, Kaif is involved with her mother’s charity and participates in stage shows. She is guarded about her personal life, which is a subject of media scrutiny, as is her background.
Personality: At the age of fourteen, Kaif won a beauty contest in Hawaii, and received her first modelling assignment in a jewellery campaign.[16] She subsequently modelled professionally in London, working for freelance agencies and appearing regularly at London Fashion Week.[6] At a fashion show Kaif attracted the attention of London-based filmmaker Kaizad Gustad. He selected her for a role in the English-Hindi erotic heist film Boom as part of an ensemble cast that included Amitabh Bachchan, Gulshan Grover, Jackie Shroff, Madhu Sapre and Padma Lakshmi.[17][18] While filming in India, Kaif received other offers and decided to stay in the country.[19] In 2003, she received notice as a model after walking the ramp for Rohit Bal at the India Fashion Week[20] and appeared in the first Kingfisher Calendar.[21] Kaif soon established a successful modelling career in India after endorsing brands such as Coca-Cola, LG, Fevicol and Samsung.[22]
Kaif’s career as a model led to anticipation surrounding her Bollywood debut.[18] Boom ( 2003) had its first screening at the Cannes Film Festival, and was heavily promoted at the event.[23][24] Boom was a commercial and critical failure.[25][26] Kaif’s enactment of a supermodel ensnared in the Mumbai underworld was poorly received, with Ziya U. Salam of The Hindu attributing the weak performances of the film’s leading ladies to the vacuity of their expressions.[27] Hindustan Times reported that after Boom’s release, Kaif was written off due to her poor Hindi and thick British accent.[28] She later dismissed the film: I don’t count Boom among important happenings in my life. When I signed this film, I didn’t know much about India and its film audience.[29] Although Kaif was offered a number of modelling assignments, [29] filmmakers were hesitant to cast her because of her poor command of Hindi.[30] In one instance, Mahesh Bhatt replaced her with Tara Sharma in Saaya ( 2003) as he found her an inconsistent performer.[31] Subsequently, Kaif began working on her diction through Hindi classes.[29]
Early film work ( 2004–06)
Kaif at the 2006 IIFA Awards
After the failure of her first Bollywood project, Kaif appeared in the Telugu film Malliswari ( 2004) . With Daggubati Venkatesh, she played the title role of a princess forced to flee from her murderous caretaker. Kaif received a reported ₹7.5 million ( US$110, 000) for the film, the highest salary for a South Indian film actress at the time. Despite negative reviews for her acting, Malliswari was a profitable venture.[32][33]
The following year, Kaif appeared briefly as Abhishek Bachchan’s girlfriend in Ram Gopal Varma’s political thriller Sarkar.[34] She next featured alongside Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen and Sohail Khan in Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? , a film she considered her first real step into Bollywood.[35] Directed by David Dhawan, the film was a successful remake of the romantic comedy Cactus Flower.[36][37] For her role as a suicidal model, Kaif received the Stardust Award for Breakthrough Performance – Female.[38] According to Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com, Katrina’s Disney princess-like charm adds to her adorable screen presence.[39] Kaif followed with a small part in her second Telugu film, Allari Pidugu.[40]
In 2006, she appeared with Akshay Kumar for the first of many films in Raj Kanwar’s unsuccessful Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, [41] a story of two like-minded strangers who fall in love despite being engaged to others. Sify wrote that Kaif was passably competent in a tailor-made role, giving a mild emotional spin to a couple of scenes but was overshadowed by her supporting actresses.[42] Kaif also appeared with Mammootty in the Malayalam crime thriller Balram vs. Tharadas, [43] in which Rishi Raj Singh of The Hindu called her performance marvellous.[44]
Commercial success ( 2007–08)
Kaif’s career prospects changed in 2007, when she appeared in four Bollywood hits.[45] In an interview with The Indian Express, she called Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s romantic.
Performance: Kaif’s personal life has been the subject of extensive media attention. She is reluctant to discuss her romantic life: I have always believed that there is life before marriage and after marriage. Before marriage . you are termed a single woman and I choose to conduct that part of my life with absolute dignity and discretion.[127] Although rumours of a relationship with Salman Khan first emerged in 2003, [20] it was not until after their 2010 breakup that Kaif spoke of the affair, calling it her first serious relationship.[128] They have remained friends, and the actress credits Khan with giving her confidence and guidance: [129][130]
He’s had a huge role in my career. There’s no doubt about that. I value his opinion. But as a person, Salman has had the biggest impact on my life. I became friends with him when I was young. And his persona is very strong. If I were to look back and see his impact on my life, it’s been tremendous.[131]
The reported reason for their breakup was Kaif’s increasing closeness to Ranbir Kapoor during the filming of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.[132] Although this was denied by Kaif and Kapoor, the nature of their relationship was scrutinised by the media because they were thought to be involved with others at the time.[133][134] In August 2013, photographs of Kapoor and Kaif on holiday in Ibiza were leaked by Stardust; the media interpreted this as confirmation of an affair.[135] After the appearance of the photos, Kaif published an open letter to the media saying that she was upset, distressed and invaded by the breach of privacy.[136] She later acknowledged Kapoor as an extremely important part of [her] life.[137] In February 2016, the media reported that they had broken up.[138]
Although Kaif does not own a house in India, she has bought property in London.[139] As a British citizen, she works in India on a visa.[5] Kaif has a close relationship with her family, and the lack of a father figure in her life has given her a sense of responsibility towards them.[140] While Kaif’s mother is Christian and her father is Muslim, Kaif was brought up to practise all faiths and says she is a firm believer in God.[141][142] The Times of India reported in 2009 that she visits Siddhivinayak Temple, Mount Mary Church and the Sufi shrine Dargah Sharif before her films are released.