Happy birthday Katrina: Here are some lesser-known facts about her
What's the story
Katrina Kaif turns 36 today.
The actress, who doesn't follow Bollywood's norm of celebrating birthdays lavishly, is observing the day with her family.
For this she has already flown to Mexico for a short vacation, pictures of which she has been uploading on Instagram.
While we wish her health and success on her special day, we also bring forth some lesser-known facts about her.
Roots
Katrina, a British citizen, has her roots in India
Did you know Katrina, who happens to be a British citizen, has her roots in India?
The actress was born to Suzanne Turquotte, a British, and Mohammad Kaif, a British businessman of Kashmiri descent.
Therefore, she is half British, half Indian.
However, after Katrina's father moved to US post his divorce, she hasn't been in touch with him.
Education
Katrina was home schooled by her mother
To note, Katrina never attended a proper educational institute and was home schooled by her mother.
Her education took a backseat when she started modelling at the age of 14, after winning a beauty contest in Hawaii.
It was during one her fashion shows in London when filmmaker Kaizad Gustad noticed her, and launched her in Boom.
And since then, she hasn't looked back.
Debut
Did you know Katrina's debut was supposed to be 'Saaya'?
Though Katrina made her Bollywood debut with Boom (2003), she was first roped in for Mahesh Bhatt's Saaya.
However she was dropped off from the movie just two days after shooting, as she couldn't speak Hindi at all.
Interestingly, before her debut, she also changed her last name from Turquotte to Kaif, as Boom producer Ayesha Shroff felt Turquotte wasn't easy to pronounce.
Information
Katrina is superstitious, visits religious places before every release
Katrina often visits Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, Mumbai/siddhivinayak-temple'>Siddhivinayak Temple and Mount Mary Church in Mumbai before the release of her movies. Even, Deepika Padukone, her one-time rival follows the same ritual. Notably, both once had a cold war over their common ex, Ranbir Kapoor.
Doll-ed up
The first Bollywood actress to be crafted as Barbie doll
In 2009, Katrina became the first Bollywood actress to be crafted as a Barbie doll, after she walked the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week for the Barbie all Doll'd Up show.
There were reports that Aishwarya Rai will be the first Indian celebrity to be immortalized in plastic.
But after Aishwarya refused to endorse Barbie on its 50th anniversary, the offer went to Katrina.
Pair
Akshay Kumar has collaborated with Katrina the maximum times
In a career spanning over 16 years, Katrina has done 35+ movies. And, she has done the maximum number of films with Akshay Kumar?
They have together done five films: Namastey London, Welcome, Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, Singh Is Kingg, De Dana Dan.
Most of their films have done well, so hopefully their sixth film, Rohit Shetty's upcoming directorial Sooryavanshi, also clicks.