Bollywood actress Zareen Khan, who stepped into the film industry with Salman Khan’s Veer in 2010, recently shared a heartfelt memory from her early days. The actress posted a throwback video on Instagram where she is seen taking an autograph from Katrina Kaif at the premiere of Race. The video has since gone viral.
Zareen, often compared to Katrina Kaif due to their similar looks, wrote a long caption with the video. She admitted that she never imagined being part of Bollywood back then.
In the clip, a young Zareen is seen walking up to Katrina. Katrina signs an autograph for her, unaware that this young fan would one day become her industry peer.
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On Being Compared to Katrina Kaif
Zareen opened up about the painful aftermath of her debut. She said, "Life after Veer was very bad for me, I got a lot of criticism. The film was a life-changing moment for me."
At first, she felt flattered. "Initially, I felt very happy that I was being compared to Katrina Kaif," she wrote. For someone who had once struggled with weight, being likened to a top actress seemed like a compliment. But things took a turn.
“Within the industry, things kept getting worse. For me, who used to be overweight, being compared to Katrina was huge, but it all backfired.”
Struggles Inside the Industry
Zareen described feeling isolated and misunderstood. She said, “I felt like a lost child in the industry, plus there was hesitation. I didn’t know most people here but they started to feel I was arrogant because Salman Khan launched me.”
She also revealed how harsh public reactions affected her personally. “I was even scared to step out of my house because people would comment on my clothes.”
The comparison with Katrina soon turned toxic. “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.”
Zareen’s post has struck a chord with fans and industry watchers alike. Her honest words and vulnerability highlight the emotional cost of fame, comparisons, and expectations in Bollywood.