Five years ago, a teenager landed in Mumbai to make a career in
showbiz. Today, Katrina Kaif has becoming one of the most
successful actresses in the film industry. In its latest issue,
People magazine got up close and personal with the beautiful
actress to know more. We present an excerpt:
It was five years ago that Katrina Kaif,
then 19, arrived in Mumbai to make a career in the modelling
industry. Accompanying her were mother Susana and sisters
Christine and Isabella. She did not celebrate her birthday that
year. This year as she turned 24 on July 16, almost the entire
film industry A-list descended at Olive Bar & Kitchen, a Mumbai
restaurant and bar, to wish the model-turned-actress.
"I was all alone on my first birthday in Mumbai. I hardly
stepped out of my house, as I didn't know anyone then," says the
actress. This year it was celebrated, according to a guest, with
flavoured Martinis, an assortment of mocktails, lamb chop,
balsamic mushroom, grilled prawns and rock salt fish doing the
rounds.
Katrina had over 70 people including stars, star wives, star
kids, filmmakers, producers, designers and choreographers
attending her private bash. Not surprisingly Katrina says it is
only this year that she feels a sense of belonging to the
industry. That she speaks Hindi and has a string of box-office
hits can only add to her being at home.
"I know so many people now. I'm a part of the circuit and also
part of discussions for movies that are being planned. I'm aware
of what's happening around," she says.
A large part of the credit in making Katrina feel comfortable in
the film fraternity goes to beau Salman Khan, who is dating the
model-turned-actress for a little over four years now.
Katrina describes herself as the submissive one in the intense
relationship. "I think by nature I'm slightly more submissive.
Cancerians are docile people," she says.
Salman and his extended family supported her during the
formative years of her career. "I do remember the first time I
had met Salman but these are personal things," says the actress
who spends considerable time at Galaxy Apartments, Salman's
Bandra residence, whenever she is in Mumbai.
It was former supermodel and choreographer Alison Kanuga, who
got Katrina introduced to Salman at his sister Alvira's birthday
party at Salman's apartment.
"She met Salman for the very first time at Alvira's birthday
party. Since Katrina and I were already friends I asked her to
come along with me to the party," says Alison, who met Katrina
at a film screening in Mumbai.
Salman, who was then distraught after parting ways with
Aishwarya Rai, took an instant liking to her and the duo ended
up spending the entire evening together. That chance meeting led
to another and in a matter of few days Salman was wooing
Katrina. Soon they were in a serious relationship.
Whenever she got off work early, Katrina rushed to meet her
boyfriend at film studios and his apartment. They started
hanging out at coffee shops in Bandra, and going for long walks
with Salman's pet dogs Myson and Myjaan along the Bandstand
promenade. But what she enjoyed the most was taking bike rides
with her boyfriend in the wee hours of the morning. As their
love became stronger, Salman started supervising her, while she
was readying to move from modelling to films.
"By then she was already a popular name in the modelling
circuit. She thought that making a progression to films will be
a good idea," says an industry insider.
It was only under Salman's guidance that she clinched a big role
opposite him in brother Sohail Khan's production, Maine Pyaar
Kyun Kiya in 2005. The film made good business at the box office
and her chemistry with Salman prompted other filmmakers to woo
her with film scripts.
Director David Dhawan, who was looking for a fresh face for MPKK,
signed her on instantly once he met her. He says, "Yes, I met
her through Salman. She had a fresh face and she suited the
role. [Also] She has a great memory. Even though she wasn't well
versed in the language, she used to mug her lines very well."
Filmmaker and president of AMPTPP (Association of Motion
Pictures and TV Program Producers), Pahlaj Nihalani, who met
Katrina when she was running from pillar to post to get her visa
extended, attributes UK-citizen Katrina's stupendous success to
Salman Khan and his family.
He says, "Because of Salman she got to work with the right
people and in the right manner... I will give full credit to
Salman and his family for providing her with shelter,
professional advice and guidance."
With her family away in London, she started confiding in and
socialising with Salman's family members. "They are a part of
the social circle that I move in. They are tremendously
wonderful people," says Katrina, who is particularly fond of her
beau's siblings Alvira Khan Agnihotri and Sohail Khan.
