Katrina Kaif (born Katrina Turquotte on July 16, 1984) is a Hong Kong-born British-Indian actress and model who has appeared in Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam films. Since 2007 she has starred in several commercially successful films, which made her one of the popular actresses in current Bollywood. Born : Katrina Turquotte July 16, 1984 (1984-07-16) Hong Kong
Occupation : Model, Actress
Years active : 2002 – present
Early life
Born in Hong Kong to a Kashmiri Muslim father, Mohammed Kaif, and a British Christian mother, Suzzane Turquotte. Her mother, a Harvard graduate, was a lawyer but later became involved in charity work. Her parents separated when Kaif was very young. Kaif has seven siblings. She was raised in Hawaii and later moved to her mother’s home country, England.
Career
At age fourteen she was approached by an agent and began modeling; her first job was for a jewelry campaign. She continued modeling in London, under a contract with the Models 1 Agency and did campaigns for houses like La Senza and Arcadius and even walked on the London Fashion Week.
Kaif’s London modeling work led to her discovery by London-based filmmaker Kaizad Gustad, who gave her a part in his film Boom (2003). She moved to Mumbai and was offered a number of modeling assignments. However, filmmakers were initially hesitant to sign her because she could not speak Hindi.
Kaif saw success with the 2005 film Sarkar where she played the bit part of Abhishek Bachchan’s girlfriend. Her next release, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005), where she was paired opposite Salman Khan, earned her the Stardust Breakthrough Performance Award.
In 2007 Katrina appeared in the hit movie Namastey London, wherein she starred as a British-Indian girl alongside Akshay Kumar for the second time after the box office dud Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006). Since then, she had 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 hit action thriller Race. She played the role of Saif Ali Khan’s secretary who is secretly in love with his hostile stepbrother played by Akshay Khanna. She appeared next in Anees Bazmee’s box office super-hit Singh Is Kinng alongside Akshay Kumar for the fourth time. Kaif’s final release of the year, Subhash Ghai’s Yuvvraaj, was a surprise critical and commercial failure.
Kaif’s first release for 2009, New York, with John Abraham was a critical and commercial success. Kaif’s performance was highly appreciated with critic Taran Adarsh writing, “Katrina gives you the biggest surprise. Known for her glamour roles, Katrina proves that she can deliver if the director and writer offer her a role of substance. She’s outstanding. In fact, people will see a new, different Katrina this time.”
In the media
Kaif was voted Asia’s Sexiest women in 2008 and was also the most searched celebrity on Google.[8] Kaif was also recently seen on the Reality Show 10 Ka Dum, along with Neil Nitin Mukesh for the promotion of her film New York.[9] Kaif appeared on the singing talent show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa with Salman Khan to promote her film Yuvvraaj.[10] Kaif is the model for Mattel’s Bollywood Barbie, which will be released in September 2009.
Awards
* 2006: Stardust Breakthrough Performance Award (Female), Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya
* 2008: Zee Cine Awards, British Indian Actor Award
* 2008: IIFA Awards, Style Diva of the Year
* 2008: Sabsey Favourite Kaun Awards, Sabsey Favourite Heroine, Singh Is Kinng
* 2009: Rajiv Gandhi Award