Will Katrina crush Aishwarya?
Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif are pitted opposite each other in the Best Actress category in the Dainik Bhaskar Group’s Bhaskar Bollywood Awards; touted as India’s first democratic awards.
Nominated for their outstanding performances in Sanjay Leela Bansali`s Guzaarish and Prakash Jha’s Raajneeti, the beauties are slugging it out in competition, with votes from the aam junta across the globe through the media group’s print and online mediums.
While Katrina surprised one and all with her deglam yet power-packed performance in Raajneeti, Aishwarya too won millions of hearts with her role of a strong yet vulnerable Sofia in Guzaarish.
In the recent past, the Kaif girl has walked away with loads of superhits and accolades, leaving a lot of heroines behind. But with Aishwarya’s stellar performance in Guzaarish this time, it’s sure going to be tougher. Let’s see if Kat manages to bite Ash this time round!
Katrina Kaif speaks about her initial days in Mumbai
Katrina Kaif recently poured her heart out speaking about her initial days in the city of dreams Mumbai.
In an interview, the actress candidly confessed that she decided to visit India at the age of 17 to give a shot at the glamour industry, but was neither apprehensive nor anxious to visit a new country, which was nothing less than an adventure for her.
Initially Katrina felt a little overwhelmed with Mumbai being a bustling city with full energy.
Katrina accompanied by her sister Christine rented a small house in Bandra and started auditioning along with 50 models.
In the process she met few wonderful people like designers Ana Singh and Rocky S. Soon she fell in love with the city and also felt a belonging there.
It was indeed an exciting phase in her life. Meeting Alvira Agnihotri at an exercise studio was the biggest turning point in her life.
A year later she met Salman Khan and her life changed forever.
Initially Katrina felt a little overwhelmed with Mumbai being a bustling city with full energy.
Katrina accompanied by her sister Christine rented a small house in Bandra and started auditioning along with 50 models.
In the process she met few wonderful people like designers Ana Singh and Rocky S. Soon she fell in love with the city and also felt a belonging there.
It was indeed an exciting phase in her life. Meeting Alvira Agnihotri at an exercise studio was the biggest turning point in her life.
A year later she met Salman Khan and her life changed forever.
Crooning glory for Katrina Kaif
Earlier reports had indicated Aamir will also sing in the film but it has not been announced yet if Aamir and Katrina will sing a duet or individual numbers. After the super hit song, Aati kya Khandala, in the 1998 hit, Ghulam, this will be the first time in 13 years that Aamir will be seen lending his voice in a film.
Pritam, who shot to fame with the first film of the Dhoom series and also composed the tunes for Dhoom 2, will be seen repeating the same for the third film as well. Vijay Krishna Acharya of the Tashan fame takes over the director's hat for the third film from Sanjay Gadhvi, who directed the first two films.
Katrina's on-screen musical affinity was visible in her latest release, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, where she donned the garb of a rockstar act in the Dhunki song. "I like to play the guitar but I still need to learn it properly. I would also love to sing one day," she said during the promotional activity of the film.
And so, it seems, the pretty actress is keeping true to her words by agreeing to sing in the film
Katrina Kaif's most memorable trip at 17
Once I'd made up my mind, everything was a blur till I landed in Mumbai. I wasn't anxious or apprehensive about being in a new country as it was like an adventure to me, plus I arrived with my eldest sister Christine. Initially, I did feel slightly overwhelmed - Mumbai is a bustling city, full of energy. We rented a small apartment in Bandra and I met photographer Farrokh Chothia. There was no pressure to succeed at that point, so I'd go for auditions and find myself auditioning with 50 other models. That year shaped what happened in my life.
I met many wonderful people then, like designers Rocky S and Ana Singh, some of whom I still call friends today. It was an important year of discovery in my life - my 17th year. I was in love with Mumbai and felt a sense of belonging here. I thought maybe it was because of my Indian heritage (my father being Indian). Till then, I hadn't been in touch with him much as my father wasn't around too much when I was living in London.
My mom never advised me against modelling or joining the film industry. She just wanted me to be happy. Of course, she was concerned about my safety when I was living alone in Mumbai, so often she would fly down to be with me.
I used to eat a lot then. I wasn't fat, but definitely heavier than I am now. I remember eating homemade chicken curry, especially dal-rice, as it was tasty and inexpensive. It was an exciting phase for me. After Christine left, mom came down for a little bit. I also met Reshma Shetty then, who is my brand manager today. At that time, she and photographer Atul Kasbekar were running a company together. Alison Kanuga was a model coordinator and took me under her wing. It was then that I met Alvira Agnihotri - at an exercise studio. I was struggling to do some steps on an exercise machine facing the wrong direction and Alvira helped me through it. That broke the ice. I met Salman Khan a year later and things changed forever.
Katrina eager to get back with ex Salman?
The last film that Salman and Katrina did together was ‘Yuvraj’ that released way back in 2008. At that time the duo were dating. Post break-up, the two haven’t shared screen space.
A daily stated that Katrina is also eager to star in the sequel of ‘Partner’. She has been trying to convince Salman to come out with the sequel of the hit comedy which also starred Govinda and Lara Dutta.
Now, Salman has already given his nod to several sequels (‘Dabangg’, ‘Wanted, ‘Tere Naam’ to name a few) and Katrina is only hoping that a ‘Partner 2’ is also well underway.
While the duo have been claiming that they are best of friends, one has to wait and watch if their so called friendship spells magic at the Box Office.
Katrina Kaif as brand ambassador of Titan
Driven by continuous launch of new designs and collections, Raga has witnessed a 27 per cent CAGR in the last five years and would be a Rs 400 crore brand this year, the company said in a statement.
The potential in the women's segment is still huge as watch penetration amongst women is still very low. "A brand ambassador will help to make the watch a desirable accessory amongst women," it added.
Katrina Kaif to sing and para-glide in 'Dhoom 3'
Katrina Kaif has a task cut out for herself in Dhoom 3. She will be required to do a lot of challenging things in the movie.
If getting trained in scuba diving or learning to ride a bike wasn’t enough, Katrina will now reach for the sky and try to learn para-gliding for her role in Dhoom 3 to be directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya whose first film as a director, Tashan, failed to make a mark at the box office.
However, the director and producer (Aditya Chopra) have big plans for Dhoom 3, not the least of which is Katrina’s makeover in the movie.
Buzz is that Katrina will be doing incredible stunts in the movie, and her fans will be particularly pleased to know that she might even sing a song. Katrina has already taken her baby steps into the realm of music by learning to play the guitar. Well, at least she can strum after a fashion.
Ironically, though the actress is taking on new challenges, she is a bit squeamish about kissing or donning a bikini.
The movie will have Katrina paired opposite Aamir Khan. This would be their first film together, and considering the lengths to which the punctilious Aamir goes to slip under the skin of his character, Katrina better pull up her socks.
If getting trained in scuba diving or learning to ride a bike wasn’t enough, Katrina will now reach for the sky and try to learn para-gliding for her role in Dhoom 3 to be directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya whose first film as a director, Tashan, failed to make a mark at the box office.
However, the director and producer (Aditya Chopra) have big plans for Dhoom 3, not the least of which is Katrina’s makeover in the movie.
Buzz is that Katrina will be doing incredible stunts in the movie, and her fans will be particularly pleased to know that she might even sing a song. Katrina has already taken her baby steps into the realm of music by learning to play the guitar. Well, at least she can strum after a fashion.
Ironically, though the actress is taking on new challenges, she is a bit squeamish about kissing or donning a bikini.
The movie will have Katrina paired opposite Aamir Khan. This would be their first film together, and considering the lengths to which the punctilious Aamir goes to slip under the skin of his character, Katrina better pull up her socks.
Ex-lovers Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif bonding again?
Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif have been shooting in Dublin for Yashraj's Ek Tha Tiger for nearly two weeks now and the latest gossip from the set is that the two ex-lovers are bonding again.
Salman resumed the shoot of Kabir Khan's movie immediately post his surgery.
He was suffering from a nerve disorder and was operated in a New Jersey hospital last month.
After recuperating from his illness he began shooting with Katrina Kaif in Dublin.
It is said Katrina is taking good care of Salman on the sets. She often openly shows her concern for his health. On the other hand Salman too is not behind in showing his affection towards Katrina.
From Salman's recent statement about Katrina, it was clear that he still has a soft corner for her. Once Katrina, who plays a college student in the movie, and Salman, who essays a secret service agent were shooting for a sequence where she had to ride a bicycle.
Katrina fell from the cycle. Seeing this Salman immediately rushed to her rescue before anyone else could.
He was suffering from a nerve disorder and was operated in a New Jersey hospital last month.
After recuperating from his illness he began shooting with Katrina Kaif in Dublin.
It is said Katrina is taking good care of Salman on the sets. She often openly shows her concern for his health. On the other hand Salman too is not behind in showing his affection towards Katrina.
From Salman's recent statement about Katrina, it was clear that he still has a soft corner for her. Once Katrina, who plays a college student in the movie, and Salman, who essays a secret service agent were shooting for a sequence where she had to ride a bicycle.
Katrina fell from the cycle. Seeing this Salman immediately rushed to her rescue before anyone else could.
Katrina Kaif sizzles in bikini in 'Dhoom 3'
The big question that this confirmation throws up is, will cool Kat go ahead with wearing a bikini in the film.
For those who came in late, Katrina was always the first choice for the role. However, a precondition for doing the role was that Katrina would have to wear a two-piece in a couple of scenes in the film.
The superstar actress, despite being eager to work in the film, was reluctant to sport a bikini. While confirming Katrina's acceptance of the role, the makers of Dhoom 3 did not, however, mention whether she will wear a two-piece in the film.
Earlier, when Katrina was hesitating to do the role, the makers tried scouting for a fresh face.
"We were unable to find the perfect debutante to play the lead role after almost a year of searching. Briefly, we also tried roping in an international actress but were still unable to find someone who would stand out," Vijay Krishna Acharya, director of the film, said . "Both (YRF head honcho) Aditya Chopra and I really wanted to be sure that the actress we chose is perfect for the role. Katrina was an obvious choice for all of us. She is someone who we all know will bring tremendous enthusiasm and commitment to the film. This is also the first time Aamir and Katrina will unite on the screen. That certainly adds value to the project," Vijay said. Barring her debut film Boom , Katrina has refrained from wearing a bikini in her career so far.
In fact in her eight-year career, she has largely avoided excessive skin show. The actress, regarded as the most saleable female star by many, has been following the norm of avoiding bold scenes ever since she started dating Salman Khan.
Katrina was recently seen kissing Hrithik Roshan in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara , but that scene was filmed during the phase when she and Salman had briefly broken up.
The buzz on Dhoom 3 suggests Katrina would not only have to sport a bikini, she may also have to share a passionate smooch with Aamir. The Dhoom films have always had scenes that require the heroines to expose in beachwear and also do intimate scenes.
In the first film, Esha Deol got a hot makeover and was seen flaunting a toned body in a bikini. In Dhoom 2, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan sported two-piece beachwear and also shared a kissing scene with Hrithik Roshan.
Thursday's decision to go with Katrina for Dhoom 3 was taken after a lot of discussion and several meetings between Aditya Chopra and Vijay Krishna Acharya.
Meanwhile it seems Katrina has become YRF's new muse.
Her latest YRF production, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan , is already a big hit. The film has grossed Rs 50 crore in less than two weeks. She has two other YRF productions lined up - Ek Tha Tiger opposite Salman and Yash Chopra's comeback directorial feature opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
Katrina Kaif to Sizzle in a Music Video!
Now for the intro, it’s none other than her Mere Brother Ki Dulhan co-star, Ali Zafar. Who would have thought that?
Rumor has it that Katrina will be featuring in one of Ali’s forthcoming music videos and the promise was based on the success of their last film, and now that it’s declared a hit, Kat has to keep to her word. Sounds like an interesting deal!
So after having sizzled in item songs like, Sheila Ki Jawani and Bodyguard, Katrina’s next stop is likely to be music videos.
On the contrary, Ali who will be composing the track wants his video to be even hotter than 'Shelia Ki Jawani'. Wishful thinking Ali, after all many filmmakers and choreographers have tried to do the same previously! How about coming up with something original this time?
What say peeps are we bored of watching Katrina taking center stage yet, or do we still want more from her?
Katrina doesn't like working out
Are there any specific challenges while working with a celebrity? She says, “The toughest task is when she comes to the gym after a day of shooting. I know that she's tired and totally disinterested and have to plan the workout in a way that works for her.” On such days, pilates work the best since it is the perfect combination of stretch and strength and whose “breathing energises.” Yasmin feels the best thing about Katrina is her focus and dedication: “If she wants to look a certain way for a movie, she doesn't shy away from working towards it.”Katrina’s daily diet
Meal 1: 1 small bowl oats with skim milk
Meal 2: 3 eggwhites
Meal 3: 1 jawari roti + 1 bowl veggies + 1 bowl daal
Meal 4: 1 veg juice
Meal 5: 1 open sandwich
Meal 6: 1 bowl salad, 1 bowl soup + grilled fish/ chicken
Actor’s weekly workout schedule
Mon: 10 mins warm-up on the treadmill, 50-55 mins functional training (full-body workout)
Tues: 1 hour of advanced pilates on the reformer
Wed: 10 mins warm-up on elliptical trainer, 50-55 mins bootcamp workout (full-body circuit)
Thurs: 10 mins warm-up on powerplate, 50-55 mins of cross training (includes TRX, Bosu and dumbbells)
Fri: 1 hour pilates on the wunda chair
Sat: 10 mins warm-up on the trampoline, 30 mins dumbbell + kettlebell workout, 30 mins pilates on the cadillac.
Sun: Rest
Katrina Kaif to miss the kiss?
While the franchise had a kissing scene in the last film between Hrithik and Aishwarya, this time around, Kaif is putting in a special request to do away with the scene. Will Aditya Chopra give in?
I have my own destiny and life: Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif has defied all conventional film wisdom - she barely spoke Hindi, her acting skills came up for debate and she is politically correct in interviews to the point of boredom. But Katrina has the X-factor, accentuated by an angelic face and a body that could tempt the devil. Who else could pull off a raunchy Sheila ki Jawaani with lyrics like 'khudko pyaar karoon main' with such playful innocence?
Katrina's box-office track record is enviable, as proved again recently by Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Considered a good luck mascot, she is much in demand and is probably among the few actresses who can boast of working with all the Khans. But her superstar status today is by no means a fluke.
Perhaps the fact that Katrina has not grown up with a sense of entitlement, like other star kids, has contributed to her success. She never seems take her success for granted. Directors vouch for her commitment, and her acting skills and diction have amped up over the years. And she seems to have mastered the art of Khan management. No mean feat, if you think about it.
Katrina has delicately worked around temperamental boyfriends, bloated egos and fickle relationships and built goodwill that spans diverse camps. Yet for all her astute networking, few seem to know the real Katrina. Vague information filters in about her past, she hides behind a veneer of correctness. What we don't know about her just seems to add to her mystique.
The early days
Katrina first floated into the industry with her debut, Kaizad Gustad's Boom (2003). The director though, refuses to talk about his discovery as he tersely says, "I don't want to hurt anyone."
Boom's producer Ayesha Shroff is more forthcoming, "During the course of some research, Kaizad chanced upon her. He tells me that a few days later, she went to his house and asked him, 'I'm interested in India.
Do you think I have a future in India as a model or in films?' She came down to Mumbai, auditioned and got the role. I think she had done some modeling in London. I thought she would have a career here. At that time, there was nobody with a good body, no one was wearing bikinis."
But where did Kaizad meet her? Ayesha refuses to say. "I can't talk about it. What's the point? What she has achieved is admirable and it's not easy for a woman to pull herself out of nothing and make such a huge name for herself."
What she does talk about is how Katrina got her last name. "Her passport says Turquotte. 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. Those times were different, now people are more accepting. But then we thought that Kazi sounded too... religious? We were to introduce her to the press and at that time, Mohammad Kaif was at the top, and so we said, Katrina Kaif sounds really great. In fact, the brochures for the press say Katrina Kazi. We passed that off saying, 'Oh that's a printing mistake," says Ayesha.
Is Katrina in touch with her? "No. But that's a personal choice. What hurts me is that she distances herself from Boom. When Boom released, she was seeing Salman, she dismissed her debut saying she didn't know what she was doing and so she did the bikini scene, the smooching scene. No one put a gun to anybody's head. She is a very intelligent young woman, she knows what she has going and doesn't want to jeopardize it."
The rise
After Boom, her early success was David Dhawan's Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya and later Partner, both starring Salman. The director fondly recalls, "She was young when I met her, but her presence was very strong. She's very beautiful. She barely knew enough Hindi to save her skin. But her dedication was very strong and she was a good learner. She had the making of a heroine."
Dhawan says that it was her attention to scenes and rehearsals that was endearing. She didn't throw tantrums and she was friendly and warm. He adds with a laugh, "I took her for granted when we shot Partner. She hasn't changed, so much respect she gives me. She is looking very good, is still very insecure and that is important for an actor. It becomes difficult to hold on and live up to the success tag."
Salman at that time was always teaching her a thing or two on the sets, but the director insists, "Just being in someone's good books doesn't work. The audience really loves her."
This sentiment is echoed by her Tees Maar Khan director Farah Khan, "Katrina has the X-factor. There are prettier girls who haven't made it. She has the same fire that actresses like Sridevi and Madhuri had. The audiences love her, especially the kids."
Farah adds that no one promotes a film like Katrina does. And that she has never heard Katrina backbite. She says, "Katrina stresses about the way she looks. But she never frets over petty issues like my vanity van is too small."
Though Akshay Kumar had recommended her, Farah was initially hesitant, "I thought they'd done too many films together." On the sets, Farah was no closer to knowing Katrina intimately. She laughs, "I don't think anyone in the industry really knows her, give or take one or two people. But I've met her mother. Katrina is quite the family girl."
Managing relationships
Akshay and Katrina's chemistry had also proved to be a hit with films like Namastey London and Singh is Kinng. In past interviews, she has acknowledged Akshay and Salman's contribution to her career. She makes for a good leading lady with the younger heroes like Ranbir and Imran as well. And she can boast of a Yash Raj film with Shah Rukh and Dhoom 3 with Aamir. Add to the that, she has the instinct for the right scripts and working with the right people.
To maintain relationships with the big boys of Bollywod calls for immense dexterity. Her dignified silence and denials about link-ups has ensured that she doesn't tread on anyone's toes. There were reports of Salman having slapped her at a coffee shop in 2008, but she denied the incident. Now as they shoot for Ek Tha Tiger in Ireland, they are reportedly fond of each other and there is no bitterness as they shoot together.
In an earlier interview with Mumbai Mirror, she said, "All my life I have judged my worth by how much I have been loved by a man. It's so with a lot of women, that their self-esteem is measured by how much they are loved by a man, their partner, their boyfriend or may be their husband. In my case, it may be because I grew up without my father. But now that I am more mature and not eighteen any more, I have learnt to overcome that and understand that I have my own destiny and life." Destiny's child has come into her own.
Salman romances Katrina in Ireland
In between his trips to the US for surgery, Salman finds time to romance Katrina in Ireland
Work comes first for Salman Khan. And everyone knows that. Despite gruelling pain pangs due to trigeminal neuralgia, a facial nerve problem, he went ahead with the shoot schedule in Ireland for Ek Tha Tiger.
Paired opposite his former beau Katrina Kaif, the fun quotient was evidently high on the sets in Ireland. And when Kat's around, it's go to get smoking hot around. Sources say that the duo were very friendly and cordial with each other. Amongst others, who came to meet the Bollywood actors, the tourism ministry of Ireland also extended a warm welcome to the cast and crew there. In fact, one of the clap shots was flagged off by Ireland tourism ministers in a location called Dublin. The film is scheduled to be released worldwide on June 1, 2012.
Katrina Kaif wins a role in 'Dhoom 3'
Bollywood sources have spilled that YRF was initially on the lookout for a fresh face, but was unable to find the perfect newcomer to take on the lead role in the movie, which is so far slated for a 2012 December release.
"We even reached out to international talent, but were still unable to find someone who stood out," says director Vijay ‘Victor' Acharya.
But finally, it was Victor along with producer Aditya Chopra who decided to cast Katrina, fresh off the success of her recent outings in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, revealing, "Once we decided to go with a known face and not pursue the newcomer route, Katrina was the obvious choice for all of us," adding, "She is someone who we all know will bring tremendous enthusiasm and commitment to the film. And the first-time pairing of Aamir with Katrina on the big screen will also certainly add value."
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