Katrina Kaif is a British actress who primarily works in Hindi-language films. Kaif was born in Hong Kong and lived in several countries before she moved to London. She received her first modelling assignment as a teenager and later pursued a career as a fashion model.

At a fashion show in London, Indian filmmaker Kaizad Gustad decided to cast her in Boom (2003), a critical and commercial failure. While in India, Kaif received modelling assignments and established a successful modelling career, however, filmmakers were hesitant to cast her due to her poor command of Hindi.

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After appearing in the Telugu film Malliswari (2004), Kaif earned commercial success in Bollywood with the romantic comedies Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005) and Namastey London (2007). She followed with a series of box-office hits, but was criticised for her acting, repetitive roles, and inclination to male-dominated films.

Kaif and her siblings were home-schooled by a series of tutors due to their frequent relocation. Although she is thought to have grown up in London, she lived there for only three years before moving to India. According to Kaif, she then changed her surname to her father’s because she thought it would be easier to pronounce.

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Kaif won a beauty contest in Hawaii at the age of fourteen, and received her first modelling assignment in a jewellery campaign. She subsequently modelled professionally in London, working for freelance agencies and appearing regularly at London Fashion Week.

Kaif’s personal life has been the subject of extensive media attention several times.

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She is reluctant to discuss her romantic life: “I have always believed that there is life before marriage and after marriage. Before marriage … you are termed a single woman and I choose to conduct that part of my life with absolute dignity and discretion”.

Although rumours of a relationship with Bollywood actor Salman Khan first emerged in 2003, it was not until after their 2010 breakup that Kaif spoke of it, calling it her first serious relationship.