Born on July 16, 1984 Katrina Kaif is one of eight siblings, all girls, from a mother who is a Caucasian of British Nationality, and a father who was formerly from Kashmir, India, but who has since acquired British citizenship.
Katrina grew up in Hawaii, but was brought up in London, UK. She started modeling accidentally when she was in Hawaii at the tender age of 14, when she was approached for a jewelery campaign. Thereafter she continued modeling in London.
Continuing to model was the reason she got her break in a Bollywood movie “Boom” offered by film-maker Kaizad Gustad.
She was flooded with modeling assignments the minute she set her foot on Indian soil, especially with her innocent expressive face, hour-glass figure, and drop-dead gorgeous looks.
Professionally she started off as a model with photographer Atul Kasbekar, and upon being accepted, she received offers from LG, Cola, Fevicol, Lakme, & Veet. It was the Lakme commercial that got her noticed. She retained Matrix as her Manager to accept work on her behalf and at the price she deserved.
Moving to different culture and country was not much of a culture shock for her, as she states that no matter where you come from, the bottom line is that everyone wants to be loved, respected, and cared for.
Unlike other artistes from foreign lands, Katrina did not experience any difficulties in getting a visa nor of getting it extended in India.
Although linguistically challenged, Katrina puts on a bold face and states that other Bollywood artistes like Sridevi, who did not know Hindi, did get offers from Bollywood film-makers, and she is no different. She is taking Hindi and dancing lessons to fit in with the Bollywood culture. She likes to display a picture of her learning Kathak dancing where she used to dance 7 hours a day non-stop.
Despite of her soft gorgeous looks, she is not easily intimidated, but admits that she is very emotional, almost an incurable romantic, wears comfortable non-revealing clothes when at home, hates to do her hair, and above all dislikes make-up. Admitting to being lonely in the beginning, but now has several nice friends who she can hang out with.
At first, filmmakers were hesitant to sign her because of her linguistic shortcomings. Katrina saw success with the 2005 filmSarkar where she played the brief role of Abhishek Bachchan’s love interest. Her next release, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, where in she was paired opposite Salman Khan. In 2007 Katrina’s first release was the hit movie Namastey London, wherein she starred as a British Indian alongside Akshay Kumar for the second time after Humko Deewana Kar Gayethat was a box office dud. She then appeared in a series of box office hits that include Apne, Partner and Welcome. 2008 saw her play a negative role for the first time in Abbas-Mustan’s super hit action thriller Race. She played the role of Saif Ali Khan’s secretary who is secretly in love with him. She appeared next in Anees Bazmee’s box office blockbuster Singh Is Kinng alongside Akshay Kumar for the fourth time. Her last release of the year, Subhash Ghai’s Yuvvraaj, was a surprise disaster at the box office.
