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With enviable price tags and impressive projects, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are eyeing that No 1 slot

The two actresses may have put their animosity to rest at an awards function, but professionally, it's still war between Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor for the top slot. Often the top contenders for big-budget films, they both currently have close to Rs 150 crore riding on them. However, the two aren't the only ones competing for the top slot — Katrina Kaif completes the troika. "If the three Khans — Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh — comprise the Holy Trinity among actors, these three ladies enjoy a similar standing among actresses," asserts industry analyst Taran Adarsh.

Statistics back up Adarsh's statement. Kapoor is already boasting about her line-up with five Khans this year, which includes Imran and her boyfriend Saif. Kaif enjoys the reputation of a lucky mascot for filmmakers such as David Dhawan and Vipul Shah, who work with her repeatedly. Chopra, on the other hand, has honed her skills over the years to emerge as the favourite for character-driven roles, such as Vishal Bhardwaj's Kaminey and 7 Khoon Maaf or Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion.

Having worked with Kapoor in Golmaal Returns and Golmaal 3, both of which were hits, director Rohit Shetty feels that her biggest draw is her screen presence. "Kareena is a looker and you are bound to notice her on the screen because she brings it to life — her vibrancy and attitude light up her scenes," says the director. Though the 30-year-old carved her niche through versatility in films like Chameli, Yuva and Omkara, her current line-up — Ra.One, Agent Vinod, Malayalam film Bodyguard's remake, Short Term Shaadi and Reema Kagti's next with Aamir — indicates her preference for commercial projects over experimental roles.

This is where Chopra scores. "Without compromising on the commercial factor, Priyanka has consistently chosen roles that will challenge her as an actor," says Bhandarkar. With Bhardwaj's 7 Khoon Maaf, being touted as her best performance to date, all eyes are trained on Chopra. She eagerly lapped up Chamki Chameli, the Hindi adaptation of the classic opera Carmen by Shyam Benegal, after Kapoor reportedly turned it down. As Adarsh says, "She is willing to take risks."


That's true for Kaif too, who has improved her performance over the years. One of the most-searched Indian celebrities online in 2010, according to Google India Zeitgeist, the 26-year-old appeals to youngsters with her "sexy yet innocent" image. Working around the drawbacks of her accent and weak Hindi, filmmakers are choosing her over other actresses to essay NRI characters (Namastey London, Singh Is Kinng, New York). "Her sincerity towards work is admirable. Katrina goes the extra mile to understand her characters and rehearses ardently to deliver her best performance," says Prakash Jha, who had the actress play a politician in Raajneeti.

However, if industry connections are factor to go by, Kaif has a drawback. Preferring to keep a low profile, her circle of friends is limited to Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan. Though she has cordial relationships inside the industry, the actress avoids alignment to camps and chooses dressing in plain T-shirts and casual dresses over glamourous outfits. In comparison, Chopra is a favourite with the Karan Johar-Shah Rukh camp, is close to both Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor and networks with filmmakers across genres.

Kapoor enjoys more goodwill than either of the two actresses with her family connections, but then, the self-proclaimed diva is also known for her publicity drive. "She has great talent for commercial cinema, but her frequent out-of-context references to her boyfriend 'Saifu' are considered irksome as is her constant hunger to be in the limelight. She is also known to throw tantrums," rues a filmmaker she has worked with. That said, Kapoor continues to top the brand equity list with a slew of endorsements under her belt, including Airtel, Sony Vaio and Sony Ericsson. But Chopra's big ticket is the international watch brand TagHeuer. And though Kaif may seem the least visible, she currently endorses close to 10 brands, including Nakshatra jewellery and Etihad Airways. "The three are at par in the ad world, but Kareena is the costliest and hence unofficially the top choice," says Cyrus Pagdiwallah of ad production house Corcoise Films.


The competition is close, but the actresses seem nonchalant. Kaif asserts that she is happy at being accepted by the film industry. "I just want to work hard," she smiles. Chopra sees no competition: "I compete with myself." Often publicly claiming to be the number one in the industry, Kapoor, says she is beyond the rat race. "We are not in competition."


PRIYANKA CHOPRA

Current Standing
National Award winner for Fashion, Chopra is known for her character-driven roles since her debut in Andaaz.

Upcoming Films
7 Khoon Maaf, Don 2, Barfee, Chamki Chameli and Agneepath remake

Strengths
Her performance; proximity to Shah Rukh Khan-Karan Johar camp, she recently patched up with Salman Khan too; willingness to take risks

Weakness
Needs a new stylist; hasn't explored an out-and-out comedy yet

Endorsements
Lux, Sunsilk, Bru, Samsung, Nokia, Asmi jewellery, Garnier, Hero Honda, UTV Voice blogs, NDTV Greenathon

KATRINA KAIF

Current Standing: Known for her pretty face and freshness
she brings on screen

Upcoming Films
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dhoom 3 and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan

Strengths
Hard working

Weakness
Her accent and weak Hindi, low profile, needs a stylist

Endorsements
Etihad Airways, Pantene, PepsiCo's Slice, Lux, Nakshatra jewellery, Olay, Panasonic, Veet, Yardley



KAREENA KAPOOR

Current Standing
Has given many acclaimed performances and established herself for her versatility

Upcoming Films
Ra.One, Agent Vinod , Bodyguard Remake, and Short Term Shaadi

Strengths
Versatility; her connections in the industry; screen presence and the sexy diva image

Weakness
Her public obsession with boyfriend Saif Ali Khan; self-proclamation of success

Endorsements
Airtel, Sony Vaio, Sony Ericsson, ITC, Head & Shoulders, Gitanjali, Mahindra two-wheelers, Emami, La Vie handbags

https://www.indianexpress.com/news/queen-be/748519/4

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