Katrina Kaif Reflects on Her Modeling Aspirations and Malaika Arora’s Influence in Candid Interview

In a recent conversation with Mashable India, Katrina Kaif reminisced about her early days in Mumbai, expressing that she initially aspired to become a model and looked up to icons like Madhu Sapre, Lakshmi Menon, and Malaika Arora. Despite not having collaborated professionally, an unusual connection existed between Katrina and Malaika when Salman Khan’s brother, Arbaaz Khan, married Malaika. During this time, Katrina was dating her co-star from Tiger 3.

While Malaika started her career on MTV in 1997 as a VJ and later transitioned into modeling, she gained recognition with the iconic Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha music video by Bally Sagoo in 1997. Malaika made her Bollywood debut in Mani Ratnam’s 1998 film “Dil Se” alongside Shah Rukh Khan, featuring in the well-known dance song “Chaiyya Chaiyya.” Over the next 25 years, Malaika continued to captivate audiences with her dance performances, setting a benchmark for her modeling career at the age of 48.

Katrina, who initially aspired to follow in the footsteps of these supermodels, eventually pursued an acting career. Reflecting on her journey, she stated, “When I started off as a model in Bombay, my intention was to be a model. My role models were Madhu Sapre and Lakshmi Menon. Those were the supermodels of that time. And even Malaika actually. She was still modeling at that time. They were the women I looked up to. And that’s what I wanted to be as a model.”

While Malaika has continued to flourish in her career, her next venture includes a cameo in Arjun Varain Singh’s upcoming buddy film “Kho Gaye Hum Kahan,” adding another chapter to her illustrious journey in the entertainment industry.