Katrina Kaif (pronounced [kəˈʈriːnaː ˈkɛːf], born Katrina Turquotte—also spelt Turcotte—16 July 1983) is a British-Indian film actress and model. Primarily known for her work in Bollywood films, Kaif has also appeared in Telugu and Malayalam films. In addition to being one of Bollywood's highest-paid actresses, she is known as one of India's most attractive celebrities by the media.Born in Hong Kong, Kaif and her family lived in several countries before she moved to India. She received her first modelling assignment as a teenager, later pursuing a career as a fashion model. During a London show filmmaker Kaizad Gustad cast her in Boom (2003), a critical and commercial failure. While filming in India, Kaif received modelling assignments. Although she established a successful modelling career, filmmakers were hesitant to cast her because of her poor command of Hindi. Kaif appeared in the successful Telugu film Malliswari (2004), followed by the commercial-successful Bollywood romantic comedies Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005) and Namastey London (2007); in the latter, her performance was paraised. Although she then appeared in a series of box-office hits, her acting, repetitive roles and appearances to male-dominated films were criticized.
Kaif's performance in the 2009 terrorism drama New York was better received, earning her a Filmfare Award for Best Actress nomination. She then had prominent roles in successful films such as Raajneeti (2010), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011) and Ek Tha Tiger (2012). Kaif appeared briefly in the action thriller Dhoom 3 (2013), the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time. Despite mixed reviews from critics, Kaif has established herself in Hindi cinema.
In addition to acting, she is involved with her mother's charity and participates in stage shows. Kaif is guarded about her personal life, which is a subject of media scrutiny. Her background has also been a topic of discussion, with some sources accusing her of fabricating her history.
Suzanne decided to "dedicate her life to social causes", which led to the family's relocation to a number of countries for varying lengths of time. After her birth in Hong Kong, Kaif and her family moved to China and then to Japan. From there she went to France at age eight, living for several months at a time in Switzerland, Poland, Belgium and elsewhere in Europe. Kaif then moved with her family to Hawaii and eventually to Suzanne's home country, England.[8] Due to their frequent relocations, Kaif and her siblings were home-schooled by a series of tutors.[9] Although she is thought to have grown up in London, she lived there for only three years before moving to India.[8] According to Kaif, she then changed her surname to her father's because she thought it would be easier to pronounce.[10]
Her background is mysterious, with several sources questioning her claim that her father is Kashmiri.[3] In a 2011 interview with Mumbai Mirror, Boom producer Ayesha Shroff accused Kaif of fabricating her history: "We created an identity for her. She was this pretty young English girl, and we gave her the Kashmiri father and thought of calling her Katrina Kazi. We thought we'd give her some kind of Indian ancestry, to connect with the audience ... But then we thought that Kazi sounded too ... religious? ... Mohammad Kaif was at the top, and so we said, Katrina Kaif sounds really great."[5] Kaif called Shroff's comments "hurtful."
Modelling and film debut (to 2003)
Kaif first expressed an interest in modelling as a teenager when she won a beauty contest in Hawaii, and received her first assignment for a jewellery campaign.[11] She began to model professionally in London, working for several freelance agencies and appearing regularly at London Fashion Week.[3] At a fashion show Kaif attracted the attention of London-based filmmaker Kaizad Gustad, who selected her for a role in the English-Hindi erotic heist film Boom with an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Gulshan Grover, Jackie Shroff, Madhu Sapre and Padma Lakshmi.[12][13] While filming in India, Kaif received other offers and decided to stay in the country.[14] In 2003, she received notice as a model after walking the ramp for Rohit Bal at the India Fashion Week[15] and appeared in the first Kingfisher Calendar.[16] Kaif established a successful modelling career in India after endorsing brands such as Coca-Cola, LG, Fevicol and Samsung.[17]
Anticipation surrounded her Bollywood debut,[13] Boom (2003) had its first screening at the Cannes Film Festival, and was heavily promoted at the event.[18][19] but ten days before the film's release pirated VCDs of the film's uncut version were reportedly appearing on the black market.[20][21] Boom was a commercial and critical failure.[22][23] Kaif's portrayal of a supermodel ensnared in the Mumbai underworld was criticised, with Ziya U. Salam of The Hindu attributing the poor performances of the film's leading ladies to "the vacuity of their expressions."[24] After Boom 's release, Kaif's poor Hindi and thick British accent were noted.[25] 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."[26]
Although Kaif was offered a number of modelling assignments,[26] filmmakers were hesitant to cast her because of her poor command of Hindi and she was removed from Saaya.[27] She then began working on her diction in Hindi classes.[26]
Breakthrough and initial success (2004–06)
After the failure of her first Bollywood venture, Kaif took on the Telugu film Malliswari (2004). Cast opposite Daggubati Venkatesh, the film saw Kaif play the titular role of a princess who is forced to flee from her murderous caretaker. She reportedly received 7.5 million (US$120,000) for the film, the highest amount paid to an actress in the South industry at the time of release. Despite negative reviews for her acting, the film emerged as an economic success.[28][29]
The following year, Kaif appeared briefly as the girlfriend of Abhishek Bachchan's character in Ram Gopal Varma's political thriller Sarkar.[30] She next featured alongside Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen and Sohail Khan in her first major Hindi film role in Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?. Directed by David Dhawan, the film was an adaptation of the romantic comedy Cactus Flower.[31] The feature was a profitable venture[32] and, for her role as a model with suicidal tendencies, Kaif received the Stardust Award for Breakthrough Performance – Female.[33] Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com reviewed: "Katrina's Disney princess-like charm adds to her adorable screen presence."[34] She followed this with her second Telugu release, Allari Pidugu, where she played a small role alongside Balakrishna.[35]
In 2006, she was paired opposite Akshay Kumar for the first time (the duo later appeared in numerous successful films together)[36] in Raj Kanwar's financially unsuccessful film Humko Deewana Kar Gaye.[37] The film tells the story of two like-minded strangers who fall in love despite being engaged to other people. A reviewer writing for Sify said that "Katrina is passably competent in a tailor-made role, giving a mild emotional spin to a couple of scenes" but added that she was overshadowed by the film's supporting actresses.[38] Kaif also appeared alongside Mammootty in a Malayalam film—the crime thriller Balram vs. Tharadas—which was a profitable production.[39] Rishi Raj Singh of The Hindu was impressed with Kaif's performance and published that she is "marvellous" in her role.[40]
Commercial success (2007–08)
Kaif's career prospects changed in 2007 when she appeared in four Hindi films, all of which were successful at the box office.[41] In an interview with The Indian Express, Kaif opined that Vipul Amrutlal Shah's romantic comedy Namastey London marked an important milestone, claiming that "for the first time, [she] had a dominating role."[6] She used her experiences in London as a reference point for her role as a spoilt British Indian girl who is intent on marrying her self-centred British boyfriend despite her parents' disapproval.[42] Critics were divided in the film itself,[43] though Kaif's performance attracted favourable reviews.[41] Sukanya Verma wrote that she "suits the role to the T" and "brings the zingy mix of her character alive with style and substance."[44] Kaif's chemistry with co-star Akshay Kumar also generated immense appreciation, with Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India describing their pairing as "refreshing."[45]
In 2008, Kaif had three releases, the first of which was Abbas-Mustan's action thriller Race. The film follows the story of two stepbrothers-turned-rivals who are in contention for their father's insurance payment. Kaif enacted the role of Ranveer's (played by Saif Ali Khan) double-crossing secretary and the lover of his stepbrother (played by Akshaye Khanna). Race continued Kaif's slew of successes,[50] though Nikhat Kazmi noted that "Katrina is too pale as the blousy secretary." Kazmi was more appreciative of the film, praising its "super cool look [and] testosterone-high action sequences."[51] Following Race, Kaif was paired with Akshay Kumar in Anees Bazmee's action comedy Singh Is Kinng. With worldwide earnings of 1.25 billion (US$20 million), the film proved to be a major hit, making it Kaif's sixth consecutive success at the box office.[25][49][50] Kaif earned mixed reviews for her performance.[41] In a particularly critical review, Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN commented that "Katrina Kaif is an eyesore ... her acting so weak you want to urge her to watch everyone from Madhubala to Madhuri so she might pick up a few tricks."[52]
Kaif's final release of 2008—the Subhash Ghai-directed drama Yuvvraaj—was a major failure at the box office.[50] To prepare for her role as a cellist, Kaif practised playing the instrument alongside orchestra members.[53] Her portrayal of a girl forbidden by her father from marrying her poor lover was well received by critic Sonia Chopra, who opined that "Katrina is wonderful, plays the cello convincingly, and looks ethereal."[54] Despite the film receiving a mixed critical reception, its script was added to the library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences due to its artistic merit.[55][56]
With the exception of Boom, Namastey London and Singh is Kingg, Kaif's voice was dubbed in her early films as she was inarticulate in Hindi and other Indian languages.[57][58] While Kaif was a part of a string of successful movies at this stage, film critics observed that she had little to do as her films were generally male-centric.[25][59] She also received mostly negative reviews for her acting.[60][61] On her series of glamorous roles, Kaif reflected that her "first few films were really a process of learning ... There was no target."[3]
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.[128]
It was reported that the reason for the breakup was Kaif's growing proximity to Ranbir Kapoor during the filming of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.[129] Though this was denied by both Kaif and Kapoor, the nature of their relationship was extensively scrutinised by the media as they were both involved with different people.[130][131] In August 2013, intimate photographs showing Kapoor and Kaif holidaying in Ibiza, Spain were leaked by Stardust; the media saw this as confirmation of their relationship.[132] Following the leak, Kaif sent an open letter to the media saying that she was "upset, distressed and invaded" by the breach of her privacy.[133] She later acknowledged Kapoor as "an extremely important part of [her] life", but refused to comment further on the relationship.[134]
While Kaif does not own a house in India, she has bought properties in London.[135] As a British citizen, she works in India on an employment visa.[136] Kaif shares a close relationship with her family and the lack of a patriarchal figure in her life has resulted in a sense of responsibility towards them.[137] Kaif is a follower of multiple religions and claims to be a "firm believer in God". It is said that she visits Siddhivinayak Temple, Mount Mary Church and the Sufi shrine Dargah Sharif prior to the release of her films
She made her acting debut with Kaizad Gustad’s disastrous Boom film. She tasted success in 2007 with movies like Namastey London and Welcome. She has also appeared in critically acclaimed films like New York and Rajneeti.
