Katrina Kaif's 6 crore deal with Studio 18

Katrina Kaif is currently riding high!

After all, she was one of the most successful actresses of last year, with her films - Namastey London, Welcome and Partner - becoming blockbusters.

The stunning looking actress has now bagged a 2-film deal with Studio 18, for an astronomical amount of Rs.6 crores!

Katrina - who has already worked in Studio 18's films like Welcome, Namastey London and the forthcoming Singh Is Kinng - seemed excited at the prospect of continuing the association.

Well, with a lot of big releases like Abbas Mustan's Race and even Subhash Ghai's Yuvraaj already in her kitty, this 'Kool Kat' is surely making hay while the sun shines brightly on her!

Snapshots: Katrina Kaif on Vogue India cover

Is Salman Khan marrying Katrina Kaif this year?

That's the strong buzz doing the rounds in B-town lately!

Apparently before the year ends, Sallu miyan will get married to his sweetheart Katrina Kaif.

Finally, he has complied to the pleas and demands and made an earnest promise to his family - especially his mother Salma and dad Salim - that he is willing to sacrifice his bachelorhood at the alter, this year.

Salman's parents had made a final peremptory plea to the actor saying they want to see him happily married with kids. And Salman accepted without much fuss!

Marriage and Salman have always seemed poles apart.

One of his friends said, "He promised his parents that he will marry this year. Hope he doesn't change his mind. Knowing him, anything is possible!"

Even if it is a good news for his well-wishers, it certainly isn't going to go down well with his female admirers. And why not?

With one of the good-looking bachelors in Bollywood giving up his bachelorhood, it's certainly going to be a disappointment for the girls ;o)

Stay tuned in!

Video: Astrologer Bejan Daruwala's prediction

Katrina Kaif on her Bollywood career, Salman Khan and future projects

In a candid chat with Times Of India, Katrina Kaif talks about her Bollywood career, Salman Khan and future projects:

You ended 2007 on a high note with big hits this year.
Oh, yes, I had Namaste London, Apne, Partner. And all the films did well. It's been an extremely fulfilling year professionally for me. My career is moving towards the right direction. I have taken the leap in the right direction and hopefully next year will be even better. But trust me my best is yet to come.

What was your first impression when you worked with Salman Khan for the first time?
When I did my first film with Salman, it was like "Oh my god!" I'm going to do a film with Salman Khan. I had virtually butterflies in my stomach.

And what about your personal front? Your love life?
(Raising her eyebrow) Come on, don't start it all over again. I'm not answering this.

But you are known as Salman Khan's girlfriend?
Oh really? That's weird, no one has ever told me that.

Okay, got the message loud and clear. How has your family reacted to your new-found stardom in Bollywood?
My family is a little disconnected with the film industry. They have no proper knowledge about Bollywood. Whatever little they know about Bollywood is through me. But I'm glad that I have been able to give them financial security. It gives me immense pleasure to see my family financially secure because of me. It's a different high and satisfaction. I can't even explain it in words.

You started off with movies like Boom and now you have films with big stars like Salman, Akshay and Saif. How does it feel?
It's a wonderful feeling. Everyone wants to be on the top, but hailing from a non-filmi background the success is sweeter. I just wanted to prove it to myself.

Were you upset when critics called you just another pretty young thing who can't act?
It was harsh. They should have understood where I came from. I had no formal training and I was very raw when I came in. I'm learning and improving with each day and I still have miles to go.

You seem to become an expert in comedies these days?
You are right. Actually, I did quite a lot this year and also learnt a lot. Comedy is difficult, but once you get a grasp of it, you have a blast.

Welcome is also a comedy...
I would call it a commercial entertainer. It's not mindless and slapstick comedy, it's witty. What makes it special is the unusual cast. Feroz Khan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Akshay Kumar coming together. That makes it irreplaceable and special. I had a blast shooting with them. Nana is great, so is Anil and Feroz Khan saab is coming back after a long time and all the combination makes it so interesting.

And your chemistry with Akshay Kumar?
I think we look good on screen. I love working with Akshay. He is a non-judgmental kind of a person. You don't feel shy while working with him. He makes me very comfortable.

What's for 2008?
Plenty, my diary is full. There's Abbas Mustan's Race, Subhash Ghai's Yuvraj, Yash Raj's film, Vipul Shah's Singh is Kinng. Phew! I'm already tired (smiles).

Any New Year resolutions?
Just to go ahead, I don't want to get stagnant. Keep walking.

Katrina's a birthday gal

Katrina Kaif is turning an year older today and she's making sure she spends the day with her near and dear ones.

So, the actress has wrapped up her filmi commitments well on time and has flown down to London for a well-deserved holiday to be with her family. With the recent success of her films, she's certainly in a celebratory mood.

So, here's wishing the Bollywood hottie another 'smash hit' year ahead!

Happy Birthday gal!