Portrait · Bollywood Hungama / CC BY 3.0 Katrina Kaif Actor and beauty entrepreneur
Born 1983
Katrina Kaif was born in Hong Kong and grew up moving between countries before modelling led her into acting. In an early career interview, she recalled living in Japan, China and France and explained why improving her Hindi mattered to her work. She later described herself as a shy child whose mother encouraged independent thinking. In a 2013 Filmfare interview, she recalled visiting casting agencies with photographs, auditioning, doing shows and travelling for modelling work. She described learning her craft through successive films and seeking parts with more for her character to do. Her route into Hindi cinema included work in Telugu and Malayalam films, rather than a single uninterrupted Bollywood career.
Kaizad Gustad’s Boom introduced her to films in 2003. She played a princess in the Telugu romance Malliswari, then appeared in Sarkar and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. Namastey London, Partner and Welcome broadened her Hindi film career; Race and Singh Is Kinng followed. New York brought a Filmfare leading actress nomination, while Raajneeti, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan gave her contrasting dramatic, ensemble and comic parts. In Raajneeti-era interviews, she distinguished audience acceptance from recognition within the industry.
Her recurring Zoya role connects Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai and Tiger 3. Other credits range from Dhoom 3 and Bang Bang to Phantom, Fitoor and Jagga Jasoos. In Zero she played actor Babita Kumari, winning a Zee Cine supporting performance award and receiving a separate Filmfare nomination. Bharat, Sooryavanshi and Phone Bhoot preceded Merry Christmas, a Hindi–Tamil production in which she played Maria opposite Vijay Sethupathi. She also contributed to the documentary series The Romantics.
Away from acting, Kaif co-founded Kay Beauty with Nykaa in 2019. A UAE launch followed, and a recent skincare interview described her personal involvement in formulation testing. She married actor Vicky Kaushal in Rajasthan; the couple later welcomed their son, Vihaan. Her representatives denied a speculative streaming comeback report in 2026. An earlier announcement for Jee Le Zaraa remains distinct from a confirmed filming schedule or release date.
Verified identity Core facts checked against named sources.01 Penguin Australia
Great Expectations catalogue edition Attribution.
02 Filmfare
Zero supporting actress nomination Attribution.
03 Suresh Productions
Malliswari official film record Attribution.
04 IIFA
Merry Christmas leading actress nomination Attribution.
05 Red Chillies Entertainment
Zero supporting performance wins Attribution.
06 07 IMDb
Merry Christmas — catalogue or exact title credit Attribution.
08 09 IMDb
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Attribution.
10 Copyright licence recorded
Image rights ledger Katrina Kaif photographed in 2012 Media: Bollywood Hungama
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Katrina Kaif photographed in 2016 Media: Arushi Dayal
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