If there is any actress that is being discussed all over the industry these days, it is Katrina Kaif. Films, advertising campaigns, gossip headlines… you name it and she is there! Today, Katrina is an actor that has established herself as one of the top stars over the last few years. This spotlight gives me the opportunity to acknowledge her great struggle and effort to become the star that she is today. From her very first step to her unbelievable stardom, we will chronicle this unbelievable success story known as Katrina Kaif.
Like many actresses, Katrina’s first step into the glamour world was through modeling. She became a model at the tender age of fourteen while she was living in Hawaii. Of course, she was embraced with open arms due to her stunning good looks. Through the next few years, she continued to model and eventually moved to London. She herself claimed that “modeling has been the base” for her career.
Initially, she hadn’t really thought of being an actor. But, as she says, “it happened”. From the start, she was always a go-getter but was never sure which dream to pursue. After coming to India and doing a few fashion shows, she started getting offers and before she knew it she was set to act in a film with the Shahenshah of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan, in the film Boom. However, critics and audiences panned the film. She then went on to do two South Indian films and her performances got her noticed.
Without a doubt, she was noticed and that too by Salman Khan himself who needs no introduction. The first time he saw her he recognized potential on a personal and professional level. He introduced her to David Dhawan and she bagged a role in his Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya which garnered a great opening due to rumours of the Salman-Kat relationship. She was awarded the Max Stardust Award for Breakthrough Performance Female for MPKK. Shortly after, she was seen in a small role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar.
Directors began knocking at her doors due to the freshness she brought to the screen and eventually she was paired with the man who would bring her fame. Two words, ladies and gentleman—the ‘kinng’ himself, Akshay Kumar. After starring together in Raj Kanwar’s Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, the two went on to become the ‘it’ jodi despite the fact that the film flopped.
Even though the flick did not do well, Katrina walked out a winner having established herself as a strong actress opposite Akshay. Continued buzz around her relationship with Salman Khan also helped her career. Once in an interview she had said, “We (Salman and her) respect each other’s privacy. I’m answerable to the media for my professional life, not my personal life.”
Even though the media worked in overdrive, churning out rumours rapidly, Katrina continued to be a part of exciting films. She was cast perfectly in Vipul Shah’s Namastey London which would become the role of her career. Finally, with this film, again opposite Akshay, she made it clear that she can act. Also, up until this film, her voice was dubbed which had caused her to receive severe criticism. She said, “I can read and speak Hindi quite well now and that’s quite an achievement considering I didn’t know the language at all when I came down here” But Hindi wasn’t the only thing this dedicated actress started working on. She took dancing lessons as well!
Soon after, Apne released which was actually supposed to be her debut film. She was slowly learning the ropes of screen presence and acting and naturally looked good for the camera. The film was a hit as well, but a bigger project was awaiting her just around the corner. Her biggest hit yet is Partner where she co-starred with Govinda and Salman Khan in the remake of Hollywood’s Hitch. Though the Salman-Govinda jodi was the most talked about, she was praised as well and added another hit to her repertoire.
On a personal level, Katrina shares insight into who she is, saying, “I am moody… and a Cancerian to the boot. Even a small thing can change my entire mood, but I’m working on that. Besides, I’m also loyal and possessive.” Loyal indeed as the actress dealt with nasty news over her personal life in order to maintain a relationship with Salman Khan.
Towards the end of an extremely successful year came Welcome and it too was a super duper hit. In fact, it was the biggest earning comedy of all time! Her fans, who clapped and howled whenever she came on screen, completely loved her in this film. Once again, her chemistry with Akshay was praised and Katrina was known as a lucky mascot as all her films emerged hits! Speaking of her pairing with Akshay, she said, “Akshay is a very dedicated actor and extremely fun on the sets. Me and him are in a great comfort zone as friends and co-stars!”
As awards season rolled around, Katrina performed at several awards shows and bagged a few awards herself. She won the ‘Sabsey Favourite Heroine’ award which was given after a national survey. She also won the IIFA Style Icon Award and was nominated for the Zee Best Actress award for Namastey London. Without a doubt, she had come a very long way from her Boom days! 
Of course her fans adore her, but even the film industry can’t get enough of her. Says her co-star Akshay, “When you work with someone, you want to feel comfortable around each other and have chemistry which helps keep the acting process a lot smoother. Katrina is great fun to work with, no-nonsense and easy going” And not only her male co-stars, even her female co-stars have a thing or two to say for her. “Having worked with Katrina in Partner she gives you this huge complex. I think she is really hard working. I think she is really dedicated, she knows this is where she wants to be and she is going to go all out to get it, and I really admire that,” says Lara Dutta.
Katrina has given her heart and soul to be where she is today and the girl is still working harder and harder to continue on her path of success. This year, she was part of the massive commercial hit Race. Once again, her looks and acting were praised!
Now, in the month of August, after being given the prestigious FHM Sexiest Woman in the World honor, Kat is headed for another blockbuster. Singh Is Kinng co-starring Akshay Kumar yet again is certain to set cash registers ringing, giving Katrina the ‘Numero Uno Heroine’ throne!
In the future, she will be seen in Blue, Yuvraaj, Ajab Ghazab Ki Prem Kahani and Rajniti. With films like these, she is all set to blow all other actresses away!
Katrina Kaif’s career leaped from a no-show to the biggest show. Now while she is riding high on success, she is managing to stay humble and keep her head above water. Who cannot adore this girl?
As the saying goes, you can love her or hate her, but you can’t ignore her!
