Actress Zareen Khan recently shared a throwback video on Instagram, capturing a sweet moment from 2008 when she, as a "wide-eyed fan," approached Katrina Kaif for an autograph at the premiere of the film Race. The video shows a smiling Zareen eagerly awaiting Katrina's signature. Zareen captioned the clip with fondness, recalling how she never imagined she'd one day be a part of the film industry. She expressed her admiration for Katrina, stating she thought Katrina was "breathtakingly beautiful".
However, the resurfaced video has also drawn attention to Katrina Kaif's body language, with some fans suggesting she appeared distant and less than impressed while signing the autograph. One user questioned Katrina's seemingly rude behavior, speculating that Katrina might have felt threatened by Zareen's resemblance to her and her association with Salman Khan, who launched Zareen's career.
Years after that autograph, Zareen Khan entered Bollywood with her debut in the 2010 film Veer, opposite Salman Khan. Instantly, Zareen found herself under intense scrutiny and was constantly compared to Katrina Kaif due to their similar looks. While initially, the comparisons seemed flattering, Zareen has spoken candidly about how they ultimately "backfired" and created obstacles in her career.
In a recent podcast with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa, Zareen opened up about the challenges she faced due to these comparisons. She explained that while being compared to Katrina was initially a pleasant experience, things took a turn for the worse within the industry. "Life after Veer was very bad for me, I got a lot of criticism," Zareen said. "The film was a life-changing moment for me. Initially, I felt very happy that I was being compared to Katrina Kaif, but within the industry, things kept getting worse".
Zareen felt that the constant comparisons led people to perceive her negatively. She felt like an outsider and was often misunderstood. "I felt like a lost child in the industry, plus there was hesitation," she revealed. "I didn't know most people here, but they started to feel I was arrogant because Salman Khan launched me". She added that the comparisons created a negative perception, and she was unfairly labeled and judged. "There was a time I was even scared to step out of my house because people would comment on my clothes," Zareen shared. "That comparison went in a very negative way. I was given so many names, that at one point, I wanted to just sit at home. They all saw me as a failure".
Despite the initial challenges and criticisms, Zareen persevered in her career. She went on to star in films like Housefull 2, Hate Story 3, and Aksar 2. She also gained recognition for her dance number "Character Dheela" with Salman Khan in the film Ready. Additionally, Zareen has found success in Punjabi films like Jatt James Bond and Daaka.
Zareen Khan's journey in Bollywood highlights the complexities of fame, identity, and the challenges of navigating an industry where comparisons can both elevate and hinder a career. While the autograph video serves as a nostalgic reminder of her fangirl days, Zareen's experiences reveal the struggles she faced in establishing her own identity in the shadow of another star.
