Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif is a British actress and entrepreneur who primarily works in Hindi-language cinema. Recognized as one of the highest-earning performers in India, she has earned multiple accolades, including four Screen Awards and four Zee Cine Awards, alongside three Filmfare Award nominations. Known for her roles in action-oriented cinema and her dance performances, she has also built a prominent media profile through commercial work and business ventures.

Born Katrina Rosemary Turcotte in British Hong Kong on July 16, 1983, she was raised by her English mother, a lawyer and charitable worker. Her father, an American-based businessman of Kashmiri origin, was absent during her upbringing. Because her mother worked as a social activist, the family moved frequently across numerous regions, including China, Japan, France, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, Hawaii, and London. Consequently, Kaif and her seven siblings were educated at home by tutors. She began her career at fourteen after winning a beauty contest in Hawaii, later working as a professional fashion model in London.

While attending a fashion event in London, Kaif was selected by filmmaker Kaizad Gustad to make her acting debut in the feature film Boom (2003). Following her move to India, she adopted her father's surname to aid public pronunciation. Although her initial film was a critical and commercial disappointment, she established a successful Indian modeling career through major brand endorsements. Despite early struggles with the Hindi language, she secured her breakthrough in feature films with the Telugu project Malliswari (2004) and subsequent Hindi romantic comedies, including Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005) and Namastey London (2007).

Kaif subsequently achieved wide commercial success with roles in popular releases such as Partner (2007), Welcome (2007), Race (2008), and Singh Is Kinng (2008). Seeking more substantial dramatic parts, she earned critical acclaim and a Filmfare Award nomination for her role in New York (2009). She continued her mainstream prominence with roles in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009), Raajneeti (2010), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011), which brought her a second Filmfare nomination. Her career reached further commercial heights with major action thrillers like Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Dhoom 3 (2013), and Bang Bang! (2014).

After a brief period of box-office setbacks, Kaif returned to commercial prominence with major action and drama productions, including Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), Bharat (2019), Sooryavanshi (2021), and Tiger 3 (2023). Her performance as an alcoholic film star in the romantic drama Zero (2018) earned her the Zee Cine Award for Best Supporting Actress, while her work in the mystery thriller Merry Christmas (2024) received positive critical attention.

Outside of film, Kaif was regularly named to Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list throughout the 2010s. In 2019, she expanded into entrepreneurship by launching her cosmetic brand, Kay Beauty. She regularly participates in stage shows and supports Relief Projects India, a charitable organization founded by her mother to assist underprivileged children. Kaif is married to actor Vicky Kaushal, and the couple has a son.