Is Lauren Gottlieb the next Katrina Kaif?

Upala KBR (DNA; September 20, 2013)

Arizona girl, Lauren Gottlieb debuted in Remo D'Souza's dance musical ABCD Anybody Can Dance. But it was on the reality dance show Jhalak Dikhlaja Jaa (Season 6) that this 25-year-old really got everyone to get up and take notice " including Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor who danced with her on the show. She got near perfect score every time, apart from high praise from the three judges. She dances like a dream (and that's a big part of Bollywood, right?) so the question on everyone's lips is: Will Lauren become the next import from the West to make it big in Bollywood? (Like Katrina Kaif).

Word is Lauren is all set to enter Bollywood in a big way with a couple of film offers already tucked under her belt. Can Lauren too go the Katrina way? When asked about it, Lauren tells us firmly, "Since I was young I have always known that I was destined for big things. I have always done something which is bigger and better. I wouldn't like to be compared to anybody. Katrina has done a great job but I wouldn't like to follow in anyone's footsteps. I don't think anyone has my story and done what I have done in my life. I am very proud of that."

Her mentor Remo says, "Lauren is already an actress. She will be a big star soon. Even Katrina was not good in Hindi when she first came into films. Lauren has all the qualities what a star should have and to top it all, no one can dance like her. That's the reason I chose her for ABCD!"

Lauren's choreographer and partner from the TV show, Punit J Pathak, who also acted with her (as Chandu) in ABCD says, "Her chances in Bollywood are great! Lauren is fabulous in whatever she does. Despite being a foreigner, Lauren has become an Indian " she loves Indian food, music, dancing and cinema. People are sometimes forced into getting into acting but with Lauren there's a willingness to do everything. She's here to stay."

Lauren adds, "I love Indians and everything about India. I feel it's a part of my fate to be in the film industry and will put my heart and soul to be a big star. I have received a couple of big offers. Everything I have done till now has been a hit so I want to feel right in my heart and weigh all my options before I take the next step. I'm not fluent in Hindi but I took Hindi classes before ABCD and feel very proud holding my own in the scenes. It was one of the biggest challenges in my life but now that I know the language and culture as I have been in India for almost a year, I am not as awkward as I used to be. It was a big moment for me when Ranbir Kapoor called me foreign ki Lauren.' I would love to work with Ranbir and Hrithik Roshan. He danced with me on the finale and asked Remo to cast us together in ABCD 2. I have seen his work and I feel acting and dancing wise he doesn't have a co-star who can match up to him. I can match up to him."