Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif is working with all the three Khans – Salman (‘Ek Tha Tiger’), Aamir (‘Dhoom 3′) and Shah Rukh (Yash Raj’s romantic drama also starring Anushka Sharma) – and now there might be more starry associations up ahead for the actress. Apparently, she’d been approached to star in Rohit Shetty’s next opposite SRK, but the twist in the tale is that Kareena Kapoor is also supposedly keen on the same role.

Kareena is, of course, a Rohit Shetty favourite, having starred in the ‘Golmaal’ movies. But Kat’s stock has risen tremendously after her consecutive hits (‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’ and ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’) and it is rumoured that she might be a better fit for the new film from the hotshot ‘Singham’ director. This new project is believed to be an action thriller.

Meanwhile, Kareena is currently celebrating the success of ‘RA.One’ in which she starred opposite Shah Rukh. Bebo and SRK are close friends, and he has admitted that she got the heroine’s role in his home production simply because she said that she wanted it. Priyanka Chopra and Asin had been considered for the part in the early stages of conceptualisation for ‘RA.One’.

So who will win this competition and star in Shah Rukh’s next movie? Katrina Kaif or Kareena Kapoor? Watch this space for updates.

Ever since actor Katrina Kaif has been confirmed for Dhoom 3, there has been much speculation about her donning a bikini for the film, as had the actresses in the previous two installments. But while, there’s no confirmation about Kat sporting the bikini avatar, insiders do reveal that she will definitely be seen showing off her a super-toned hotbod in the film. A source says, “She may or may not be wearing a bikini, but she will need to look her toned best, as the franchise is high on the ultra-glam looks of the actors as well.”

Katrina is well aware of it, but since she has been rushing from one film to another, she has little or no time left to actually concentrate on her work-outs.

According to a source, Katrina has been so busy that she has not even had time to enjoy the successes of her own recent films including Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.

“She has been shooting back to back since the past several months now. But her role in Dhoom 3 requires her to look her fittest best and so she’s started working out during her outdoor schedules itself,” says the source.

However, an insider reveals that she is into light exercising and not heavy training. “Katrina wants to tone up her body for Dhoom 3, and luckily for her she is already in good shape. She anyways hates vigorous workouts or starving herself to acquire a lean body or look sexy, so she is just exercising regularly and going in for a healthy diet instead.”

The B-Town hottie had apparently started to work on her bod right when she was shooting with Salman Khan for Ek Tha Tiger in Dublin. “There too she would exercise regularly, eat loads of fruits on time, instead of starving herself and she has also been drinking a lot of water. She is trying her best to catch up on sleep as well,” informs the source, adding that apparently she has also been getting a lot of tips from Salman on the same. “Yes, Salman has advised Katrina to cycle and swim to tone up without hitting the gym to get an overall lean and well-toned body,” says the source.

According to an insider, “From now to that film, she is unlikely to get any time off for herself anyway, as soon after she wraps up Ek Tha Tiger, she’s expected to begin work on her film with Shah Rukh Khan,” says a source.

Interestingly, the film — which also stars Aamir Khan as the baddie — will be her fifth movie with Aditya Chopra’s production house.

“She’s become quite a favourite with the production house as she’s been signed on for four back-to-back films with them. Her professionalism of not letting her personal life interfere with her professional one is what seems to work in her favour too,” says an industry observer.

Why is it so that every second big budget film these days stars either Kareena Kapoor or Katrina Kaif?

About a year ago, this platform had been noticeably broader, including Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Kangna Ranaut. The rest of these names still maintain their positions as the top names of Bollywood, but have been left far behind by the leading Queen B’s. Let’s see why this is so:

The ‘heroines’

The way Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are battling it out right at the top, one wishes that it stays so forever! With both ladies writing and rewriting records with their big-budget, over Rs 100 crore successes, its the top producers who are laughing all the way to the bank.

While Kareena is gaga with the laurels she received from the success of ’3 Idiots’, ‘Golmaal 3′ and ‘Bodyguard’ in quick succession, Katrina knows she is on the dot, with a chartbuster item number like ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ and the good run of ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ and ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’ on the box office. She now needs a big budget hit like Kareena to reach to the top.

Speaking of future projects, both the actresses have several films lined up with the Khans. ladies have scored the cream However, when it comes to getting the top projects, both Kareena as well as Katrina are pretty much neck to neck. Both of them are enjoying a piece of each of the Khans. In the bargain, Shah Rukh Khan (‘Ra.One’, an untitled film with Yash Chopra), Aamir Khan (‘Dhuaan’, ‘Dhoom 3′), Salman Khan (‘Bodyguard’, ‘Ek Tha Tiger’) as well as Imran Khan (‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’, ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’) are enjoying the best of both worlds. Only Saif Ali Khan (‘Agent Vinod’) has placed his loyalities firmly with Kareena.

It’s always been the leading ladies who have worked their magic on the popular Dhoom franchise. First up, it was Esha Deol in Dhoom, followed by Aishwarya Rai’s green-eyed presence in the second instalment, and now Yash Raj Films (YRF) has signed girl-of-the-moment, Katrina Kaif, for the third movie in the action-adventure series, opposite Aamir Khan’s anti-hero.

Bollywood sources have spilled that YRF was initially on the lookout for a fresh face, but was unable to find the perfect newcomer to take on the lead role in the movie, which is so far slated for a 2012 December release.

“We even reached out to international talent, but were still unable to find someone who stood out,” says director Vijay ‘Victor’ Acharya.

But finally, it was Victor along with producer Aditya Chopra who decided to cast Katrina, fresh off the success of her recent outings in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, revealing, “Once we decided to go with a known face and not pursue the newcomer route, Katrina was the obvious choice for all of us,” adding, “She is someone who we all know will bring tremendous enthusiasm and commitment to the film. And the first-time pairing of Aamir with Katrina on the big screen will also certainly add value.”

And fans of the franchise need not worry as Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra will once more pop up in their now iconic roles of Jai Dixit and Ali.

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan has done well in the first week. After an all-India weekend net of Rs. 25.5 crore, the romantic comedy collected Rs. 38 crore in the first week, making it a comfortable earner. It grossed US $2.4 million in the Overseas circuit. For an investment of approximately Rs. 30-32 crore, the film will prove to be an overflow fare. Its chances in the second week have been bolstered by the cancellation of release of Mausam this week and lack of any other major opposition.

Salman Khan starrer Bodyguard faced a steep fall in its second week after a bumper nine-day first week. As against a net collection of around Rs. 115 crore in the 1st week, it managed Rs. 20 crore in the second week, taking its two-week total to an astounding Rs. 135 crore.

Bol is fair at multiplexes frequented by the gentry audience as it has found appreciation among that class. However, even it faced a big drop in collections in 2nd week.

Mummy Punjabi (English and Hindi dubbed) proves a debacle and is out of cinemas after a poor two week run.

That Girl In Yellow Boots managed to remain afloat at select multiplexes of the big cities in its 2nd week.

Aarakshan is out from most of the cinemas after five weeks. It will entail losses in the final tally.

Singham is also out from many cinemas after 8 weeks. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has been discontinued from many of the multiplexes after a 9-week run.

Katrina Kaif has already taken baby steps towards being a guitar player by learning a few important chords. Now, she and Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zafar are bonding over music. Do we see an album in the making?

Now that Priyanka Chopra has announced her decision to cut a music album, how can Katrina Kaif be left behind? We hear that she is bonding with her Mere Brother Ki Dulhan co-star Ali Zafar.

“Ali and I have definitely hit it off musically. We share a lot of common musical interests that we’re trying to take further. Let’s see where it goes,” Katrina is quoted as saying by a tabloid.

Katrina first learnt the guitar during the making of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara with Farhan Akhtar, but carried the hobby further while working with Ali Zafar in MBKD. Recently, she surprised everyone by playing the guitar live for a promotional event of MBKD while Imran Khan and Ali Zafar sang alongside.

Katrina also has the experience of having crooned a nursery rhyme for a kids’ album by A R Rahman.

Katrina Kaif enraptured in a Manish Malhotra ivory colored Kalidar dress at the designer’s grand finale show at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011 in Mumbai on Sunday, August 21.

Katrina’s floor length dress had long sleeves and scoop neckline. It was accented with chikankari work and peach border on hem.

The 27-year-old let her hair down, styled in loose waves. She wore thick eyeliner and pink lipstick.

It was a delight to see Katrina in ethnic attire, having repeatedly seen her in trendy jeans and tees promoting the recently released film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and the upcoming film Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, in which she plays a student rocker.

Seated in front row, Katrina cheered for Manish Malhotra creations. The designer will be styling her for Yash Chopra’s yet to be titled romance drama with co-star Shah Rukh Khan.

She also applauded cheerfully for Manish’s showstopper, Kareena Kapoor.

After Dubai’s grand Eid celebration comprising Bollywood celebs such as Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra for Shoppiesta at Meydan, the capital is now having its own red carpet show-stopping event with the world premiere of the latest Katrina Kaif-starrer, “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan”.

The romcom, which has been produced by Yash Raj Films, will also see Kaif’s co-stars Imran Khan and Pakistani actor-singer, Ali Zafar gracing the event, which will be held at Vox Cinemas, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi.

Speaking with Emirates 24|7, Yash Raj Films’ Head of Mena region, Nelson D’Souza said: “The film is a complete package, and will certainly draw in the crowds. Added to that is the star power, with both Katrina and Imran riding high on the success of their respective hits, “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” and “Delhi Belly”.

“Plus, Pakistani singer Ali Zafar has his own fan-following and we are quite confident “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan” will do well in the cinemas.”

When quizzed about the filmmakers choice in Abu Dhabi hosting the world premiere, as opposed to the traditional choice for Bollywood with Dubai being the main focus, D’Souza said: “Everyone holds premieres in Dubai, and we wanted to be different; so, we chose the capital.

“Aside from “My Name is Khan”, there has been no independent Bollywood film premiere in Abu Dhabi and we truly believe the cinematic audience there is starved for some starry glamour.”

While the premiere is an invite-only event, D’Souza confirmed that fans would have plenty of opportunities to see their favourite celebs in the flesh, with a 5pm appearance by the trio at the Sharaf DG outlet in Abu Dhabi Mall; this will be followed by the 7pm red carpet at Vox Cinemas.

“There will also be 100 people who can win invite to the film premiere via our television partner, Zee Network and our radio partner, 105.4 Radio Spice,” he added.

“Mere Brother Ki Dulhan” is set amongst upper middle class families in northern India, which sees Khan’s character falling in love with his brother’s (Ali Zafar) fiancée (Kaif). The film has drawn parallels with the Hollywood film, “Dan In Real Life”, along with the Indian film, “Sorry Bhai”.

Talking about the film’s release one week after the Salman Khan magnum opus, “Bodyguard”, D’Souza said there was nothing to fear.

“The two films are poles apart; with one being an action thriller, while the other a romantic comedy. Both movies will have their separate audience and it will certainly cash in on the Eid rush.”

Zee Aflam, the 24-hour Pan Arab Bollywood film channel, will also air the making of the film prior to its release.

Tamer Al Sherbini, Head of Marketing, Zee Aflam, said in a statement: “Our partnership with Yash Raj Films, for the world premiere of “Mere Brother Ki Dulhan” in the UAE highlights our commitment to bring the true Bollywood experience to the local Arabic audiences – our primary viewers.”

The Bollywood stars are no novices to the UAE, with Khan having visited Dubai for several film promotions and premieres over the last two years, with Zafar also hosting many concerts in the emirates.

Meanwhile Kaif, who aside from being a hot premiere favourite here, is also the brand ambassador for the Abu Dhabi-based Eithad Airways.

According to sources, the trio will stop in the capital just for the day, before catching a late night flight to London for the film’s premiere there, the following day. Their promotional blitzkrieg will see them return to Mumbai on September 9, when the film releases across India.

“Mere Brother Ki Dulhan” goes on general release on September 8 across UAE cinemas.

Do you find Katrina Kaif too soft to pull off the role of a rockstar? Well, that’s the question people are divided over. Has she pulled the rockstar act convincingly enough for the ‘Dhunki’ number in her upcoming flick ‘Mere Brother Ki Dukhan’ starring Imran Khan?

Even while Katrina looks as stunning and as ever in the song, a recent poll indicates that there are many who feel that the actress doesn’t match much with the image of a rockstar.

According to the poll, 43% of them said that Katrina looks superhot like a rockstar, but the rest 57% felt that she is too soft to be a rock babe.

In the song ‘Dhunki,’ Katrina is shown singing, and performing on a stage in front of thousands of people. The actress is even smoking a bidi in the song which gives her character a very sexy image.

But, is her body language that of a rock chick? Many doubt it and feel that she struggles hard to drop her pretty and cute image.

Whatever be the verdict, it seems like the babe is on an experimental spree for after playing adventure-seeking, fun-loving girl in ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’, Kat’s transformed in to a hot rock gal for MBKD.

Farhan Akhtar, in a mood to party threw open the doors to his Bandra residence on Saturday night. Apart from celebrating the success of his film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, the party saw the lead heroine of the film getting a musical surprise from Farhan.

The actor gifted Katrina Kaif a guitar as a belated birthday present, in keeping with her new rockstar avatar as seen in the promos of her forthcoming film Mere Brother Ki Dulhann.

Our source revealed, “Katrina Kaif was pleasantly surprised when Farhan gave her the guitar. It was a belated birthday gift for her. Farhan rarely has a party at his place. This party happened impromptu.

He thought of gifting Katrina a guitar since when the Zindagi cast had gone for their road trip, Farhan had carried his guitar along and Kat really liked it. She had expressed her desire to learn guitar quite a few times. Katrina was overjoyed at the gesture.”

So after a bike, Katrina has a new gadget in her kitty now.