Katrina Kaif’s onscreen charm and dancing skills are unmissable, and her presence has made her a fan favorite in Bollywood. Early in her career, she ventured into Telugu cinema with Vijaya Bhaskar’s film Malliswari, capturing the attention of Tollywood with her captivating screen presence. However, directing Katrina Kaif in Malliswari was not without its challenges, as revealed by filmmaker K. Vijaya Bhaskar in a recent interview.
During the interview with iDream Media, Bhaskar was asked about the difficulties he faced directing Katrina Kaif. He admitted, “Yes, it was very difficult!” Despite these challenges, he praised her dedication, stating, “She is very hardworking!”
Bhasker further recounted how Katrina Kaif initially ghosted the filmmakers for over three months after agreeing to the role. He traveled from Hyderabad to Mumbai to narrate the script, and although Kaif was initially hesitant, she was excited by the regal role offered to her. The film, in which Kaif played a princess born in a wealthy-rich family who falls in love with a common man, required a fresh face for the role as per the director’s demand. As he was captivated by Katrina after discovering her in an advertisement and was determined to cast her due to the charming aura that she can bring to the princess role.
Despite her initial negligence and fear of the language barrier, Kaif was eventually convinced by Bhaskar, who assured her that the role wouldn’t involve much dialogues. However, during the filming of the climax, Kaif was surprised to find herself with a lengthy three-page dialogue. Rising to the challenge, she delivered a performance that impressed the director and earned a household name in Telugu regions; fans affectionately started referring to her as ‘Malliswari’ rather than by her name, reflecting the impact she made.
For those unaware, the actress stunned everyone by charging ₹65 lakhs for her portrayal in ‘Malliswari’, making her one of the highest-paid South Indian actresses at the time, despite initially signing for ₹25 lakhs, which led the makers to go against their principles.
Bhaskar, known for directing heartwarming films like Nuvve Kavali, Nuvvu Naaku Nacchav and Manmadhudu, also revealed that Sonali Bendre was considered as a backup if Katrina Kaif had declined the role.
Katrina Kaif has undoubtedly come a long way since her Telugu debut, breaking barriers as an international actress in the Indian film industry. From overcoming language challenges to becoming a top dancer and actress with one of the highest net worths in the industry, Kaif’s journey from Malliswari to global stardom has been remarkable.
