One of the most popular actresses of Indian cinema, Katrina Kaif, celebrates her birthday today. It might be difficult to imagine that this gorgeous actress, who seems as young as she debuted 20 years ago, has turned 40 years old. There’s no doubt that she’s very popular but what’s praiseworthy is her impeccable box office record. Also, it’s rare for an actress to bag lead roles after completing so many years in our industry.
Katrina Kaif debuted with Boom (2003). Despite the hype and hot scenes, it emerged as a flop at the box office. In 2005, two of her films were released back to back. She was seen in a supporting role in the Amitabh Bachchan-Abhishek Bachchan starrer Sarkar. A fortnight later, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, co-starring Salman Khan, was her first film as a leading heroine. Both films were semi-hits but the latter proved that she’s here to stay. She landed a strong role in Namastey London (2007) and the way she essayed it indicated that she can perform well and is not just a pretty face. The success of multi-starrers like Welcome (2007) and Race (2008), the comic caper Singh Is Kinng (2008) and the thriller New York (2009) made her an actor with a great track record.
But the best was yet to come. Between November 2009 and October 2014, she was seen in as many as 10 films - Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009), De Dana Dan (2009), Raajneeti (2010), Tees Maar Khan (2010), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011), Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), Dhoom 3 (2013) and Bang Bang (2014) - and not a single movie out of them flopped!
Phantom (2015) was her first flop in nearly six years. Sadly, after Phantom, she was seen in three more back-to-back debacles – Fitoor (2016), Baar Baar Dekho (2016) and Jagga Jasoos (2017). Ek Tha Tiger’s blockbuster sequel Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) broke her spell of flops. But then she gave two consecutive flops – Thugs Of Hindostan (2018) and Zero (2018). Bharat (2019) was a semi-hit while Sooryavanshi (2021), the first big Hindi film to release in cinemas in the post-pandemic era, was a much-needed super-hit for her. She was last seen in Phone Bhoot (2022), which sadly also bombed.
Nevertheless, her track record is still quite envious. She has worked in 33 Bollywood films till now out of which only 11 movies are flops. Two of her films were blockbusters (Dhoom 3 and Tiger Zinda Hai), 2 were super-hits (Ek Tha Tiger and Sooryavanshi) and 5 were clean hits (Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, Partner, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Jab Tak Hai Jaan). 9 films of Katrina Kaif were semi-hits and 4 were average grossers. Very few actresses possess such a box office record.
Critics might argue that in some films like Tees Maar Khan, Dhoom 3, Sooryavanshi etc, she didn’t have much to do. But let’s not forget that her songs in these films like ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’, ‘Kamli’ and ‘Tip Tip Barsa’ played a huge role in pulling audiences to cinemas. The moment she comes on the screen, her arresting presence will ensure that your eyes are transfixed only on her.
In fact, she has been a part of several chartbusters and popular songs right from the beginning of her career. In a multi-starrer like Race, her song ‘Zara Zara Touch Me’ stood out and became a rage. Singh Is Kinng's 'Jee Karda' and 'Teri Ore', too, continue to be audiences’ favourites and the same goes for ‘Dil Diya Gallan’ from Tiger Zinda Hai, to name a few. Baar Baar Dekho was a huge flop but she benefited thanks to the peppy number ‘Nachde Ne Saare’. Sangeet functions are not complete without this track and also ‘Sau Aasmaan’. A film like Phantom is remembered today not for its content but for her song ‘Afghan Jalebi’.
Some also allege that she ‘can’t act’. The argument doesn’t stand as some of the most respected filmmakers like Yash Chopra, Prakash Jha, Rajkumar Santoshi, Zoya Akhtar, Abbas-Mustan, Anees Bazmee, Kabir Khan, Ali Abbas Zafar, Rohit Shetty, Sriram Raghavan, etc, have worked with her. She proved her worth as a performer with Namastey London, Raajneeti, New York, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, etc. She also impressed audiences with her comic timing in films like Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. She has also excelled in action. The song ‘Tera Noor’ from Tiger Zinda Hai shows Katrina in her most badass avatar and as evident from the views and comments, audiences still can’t get over it.
Katrina Kaif commands respect not just for her on-screen work but also for her conduct off-screen. The manner in which she handled her break-up with Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor was quite dignified. She continued working with them and that was also appreciated. Her decision to marry actor Vicky Kaushal came as a surprise as both kept their relationship under wraps for the longest time. The couple looks cute and Vicky lovingly sharing stuff about her wife is adorable.
The great part is Katrina Kaif is here to stay for a long time. She’ll be seen this year in Tiger 3, co-starring Salman Khan and Emraan Hashmi, which is expected to be a blockbuster. Merry Christmas, directed by ace filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, can be a surprise of the year. Ali Abbas Zafar has assured that he’ll be making an action entertainer called Super Soldier with her. Farhan Akhtar’s female road trip film, Jee Le Zaraa, should happen in the near future. And lastly, she’ll have another sure-shot blockbuster in 2025 with Tiger vs Pathaan, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Deepika Padukone. In short, expect Katrina Kaif to continue to rule the box office even in her 40s!
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