In a recent candid conversation on Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa’s podcast, Bollywood actress Zareen Khan discussed her career and experiences in the industry, particularly addressing the comparisons made between her and actress Katrina Kaif. Zareen, who debuted opposite Salman Khan in the 2010 film “Veer,” revealed that the early years of her career were marred by misconceptions and harsh criticism.
Reflecting on her journey post-“Veer,” Zareen expressed how the industry perceived her. Speaking in Hindi, she said, “Life after ‘Veer’ was very bad for me. I got a lot of criticism for it. The film was so big; it still is a life-changing moment for me. Initially, I felt very happy that I was being compared to Katrina Kaif! She is so beautiful! But I think within the industry, things turned quite the opposite. For me, who used to be overweight, being compared to Katrina was huge, but it backfired badly. I was a lost child in the industry, and I didn’t know most people here. I only knew the names of the producers and directors, not by their faces… but they started to feel I was arrogant because Salman Khan launched me.”
Zareen elaborated on the negative impact of these comparisons, sharing that she was often labeled as “arrogant” and “overweight,” which took a toll on her confidence. “There was a time I was even scared to step out of my house because people would comment on my clothes. That comparison went in a very negative way. I was called overweight. What should I do? I was given so many names that, at one point, I wanted to just sit at home,” she confided.
Despite the initial setbacks, Zareen’s career witnessed a turnaround with the success of the popular dance number “Character Dheela” in the 2011 comedy-drama “Ready,” also starring Salman Khan. Her highest-grossing film to date remains “Housefull 2.” Zareen has also appeared in notable films such as “Hate Story 3,” “Aksar 2,” and “1921,” among others, cementing her place in the industry despite the early challenges she faced.