Exploring Katrina’s unbelievable run: Part 3

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

October 17, 2011 - 2:09 AM IST

In Part II we explored how Katrina not just consolidated her position in the industry but also ensured that despite a minor slip or two, she was basically treading a path that had almost taken her to a top. In the third and concluding part of this special feature, we look at how this 'absolute outsider' has placed herself to such position that the only competition which can be actually called when it comes to the Number One slot is between her and Kareena Kapoor.

The Ranbir saga

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani was Katrina's first young rom-com and the world wanted to check out what would the girl now bring on table when put into a genre that required her to go over the top. Well, as had been the case with Katrina's graph for most part of her career, this move worked as well with the Rajkumar Santoshi directed musical turning out to be a smash success. Many have questioned if the film deserved such a huge success but then it is a hit that matters and in case of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani, the words 'super hit' were written in golden letters.

She wasn't done with Ranbir yet as in a diametrically opposite genre and role, she was now to be seen alongside him in Raajneeti. Ironically, though this wasn't a film that allowed her to get cosy with her co-star on-screen. Raajneeti was a political drama and while her romance with Ranbir wasn't the focal point of the Prakash Jha film, Katrina did rise up to the challenge when asked to occupy the stage as the wife of her slain husband Arjun Rampal. She did what was expected from her and despite the claims of her re-enacting the real life persona of Sonia Gandhi, she managed to stand up to the challenge and return unscathed.

'Sheila' and her antithesis

Many have claimed that if not for 'Sheila Ki Jawaani', Tees Maar Khan could well have folded up within an hour of its start. Such was the magic of Katrina dancing to the tune of 'Sheila' that all else about the film was forgotten with good number of patrons walking into theatres to give Tees Maar Khan it's much needed 'box office opening' just for 'Sheila'. The film had precious little for Katrina to do as an actress but whatever screen time that she gained for herself, she played her 'bimbo' part to perfection. The need of the hour was to overact and overacting she did while staying on to be seriously seductive in 'Sheila'.

Exploring Katrina’s unbelievable run: Part 3

However, just when one thought that Katrina had entered the 'latak jhatak' mode with vengeance came an out and out classy act in the form of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Okay, so it was an 'all bwoyz' movie with Katrina either seen deep diving, riding a bike or playing the Tomatina festival. However, what mattered is the fact that in those few scenes that she appeared, she kept her classy act intact. The film managed to be a super hit at the box office, hence continuing the phenomenal box office run that Katrina has been enjoying for years now.

This was further evidenced in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan as well which, despite not so positive reviews coming its way, saw everyone being quite elated with Katrina's performance at the least. Most vouched for the fact that Katrina had opened up like never before while a clean hit run for the film further meant that all detractors had to eventually go quiet. For Katrina, it was pretty much akin to game, set and match, what with a 'Khan filled' 2012 ahead served to her on a golden platter!

The next conquest

Today, Katrina is at that stage of her career where she is continuing to make few but intelligent choices. Her next three releases would be Ek Tha Tiger (with Salman Khan), an untitled venture with Shah Rukh Khan and Dhoom 3 (with Aamir Khan). Now that's the kind of line up that has been bettered only by Kareena Kapoor who is also working with Saif Ali Khan and Imran Khan in addition. However, as of now, for Katrina it is a golden year ahead, what with a bet of over Rs. 300 crores already been placed on her.

Her other major biggie, Dostana 2, is currently in limbo though one sincerely wishes that the film gets made and just like Priyanka Chopra's bikini walk in Dostana, even Katrina follows suit for the sequel. And if that doesn't happen, then one can well expect Yash Raj Films to do the needful if they indeed manage to convince her into getting in a bikini for Dhoom 3.