Did Zarine Khan replace Katrina Kaif?

Zarine Khan (10), originally uploaded by Saradaga.com.

If the ongoing buzz is to be believed, after her debut in VEER, Bollywood actress Zarine Khan seems to have replaced Katrina Kaif from the sequel to the 2007 movie ‘Partner’, which was directed by David Dhawan, who cast Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Govinda, Lara Dutta, Aarti Chabria in the movie. It is now reported that her resemblance to Katrina Kaif is working in her favour in bagging the role in the sequel. Some critics even opined that she even dresses and behaves like Kaif and emulates her mannerisms. However, Zarine Khan is silent about the offer and according to director David Dhawan, it is too early to talk about the cast of the movie.

Her debut film ‘Veer’, an epic set in 1825 when the British were ruling India, is about the warrior Veer (Salman Khan) of the Pindari tribe who plots to overthrow British rule in Madhavgarh, and the warrior falls in love with princess Yashodhara (Zarine Khan), daughter of the king who as a prince years before had betrayed the Pindari tribe. Interestingly, Zarine Khan gained eight kilos for her role in the film ‘in order to be more convincing as a 19th century princess’ (reportedly, when she was in college she weighed almost 100 kg, and had to struggle to lose the flab).

Salman Khan spotted her when she was visiting the sets of Yuvraaj and he decided to cast her for his film Veer because "she looks the character - the sweet princess she is playing in Veer". After a screen test, Zarine Khan was confirmed for the role of Princess Yashodhara. Since the promos of Veer were aired Zarine has been a hot topic of discussion among critics and viewers, as her resemblance to Katrina Kaif is hard to brush away.

Another look-alike actress promoted by Salman Khan is Sneha Ullal, who caught his attention for her uncanny resemblance to Aishwarya Rai. While studying at MMK College, Sneha befriended Arpita Khan, her college mate and the younger stepsister of Salman Khan, eventually leading to her meeting with Khan. As a result, Sneha, then 18, had her debut movie ‘Lucky: No Time For Love’ with Salman Khan as the hero.

Zarine Khan said, “I am a pucca Mumbai girl. I used to be a very good student in school. In fact my mom wanted me to become a doctor. However, due to certain personal problems, I couldn’t complete my education and took to modelling to support my family”, and about the film she said, “I hope film does well. I’m pretty much confident that it will.”

Zarine Khan, born on 25 May 1984 in Mumbai (India), was born in a Muslim Pathan family. As she weighed about 100 kg, she began to focus on losing weight and getting into shape. Khan began working as a model to overcome the financial troubles of her family. She did a few modeling assignments before she got the chance to act in Veer.

Actress Zarine Khan

Zarine Khan, originally uploaded by Bollyfame.

Does Zarine Khan look like Katrina Kaif?

Look-alikes: Tina Fey & Sarah Palin

Tina Fey & Sarah Palin side-by-side on SNL, originally uploaded by TaraLivesOn.

During the last Presidential campaigns in the US, there were many photos of comedian Tina Fey photographed in funny situations to look alike Sarah Palin and during the last stages of Palin's Vice Presidential campaign, Fey became very popular.

Look-alikes are people resembling other persons, and the most noted look-alikes are people who have physical resemblance to celebrities, politicians or members of royal families. Some of the look-alikes actually earn money and even fame by appearing in photo shoots, videos, magazines, TV and other events.

There are conspiracy theories on celebrities and look-alikes like the theory that Paul McCartney died in 1966 and since then a Canadian policeman named William Shears Campbell has been replaced as McCartney. Recently, after the death of Michael Jackson, the internet was full of stories even saying that Jackson’s look-alike died and Jackson is living in hiding in Mexico.

James LaRoe who had an amazing resemblance to the then US President Richard Nixon, and he was re-christened as Richard M. Dixon, the actor-comedian who became popular in the 1970s. He gained celebrity status portraying President Nixon in the films ‘Richard’ (1972) and ‘The Faking of the President’ (1976).

There were many stories of Saddam Hussein look-alikes during the Persian Gulf War in which Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait, the Second Gulf War in which Iraqi forces were expelled from Kuwait and also the 2003 Iraq War. The stories spread that Hussein used several look-alikes for political purposes. Though these are conspiratorial in nature, Saddam Hussein himself had denied to an American interrogator that he had employed doubles or look-alikes.

The former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin is reported to have used look-alikes to mislead his enemies as he had a lot of them and there were assassination attempts, especially the two attempts at Yalta alone.

The legendary actor Charlie Chaplin loved to play Adolf Hitler and he had successfully done that in his films. The 1940’s The Great Dictator was Charlie Chaplin's first talkie in which Chaplin plays two roles of Adenoid Hynkel (a satirized Adolf Hitler) and a Jewish barber. Then the barber replaces Hynkel, who has been arrested after having been mistaken for the barber. Also there is an often quoted story (during the 1930s) about Charlie Chaplin once having gone to a “Charlie Chaplin Look-alike Competition”. Ironically, the real Chaplin didn't even make it to the finals.

Amazing celebrity lookalikes - video

Impersonators of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn

Marilyn Monroe Impersonator Arianna with Audrey Hepburn Impersonator Zoe Carter!, originally uploaded by Modern Day Marilyn.

Here is more on lookalikes: Marilyn Monroe lookalike Arianna is photographed with Audrey Hepburn impersonator Zoe Carter, as claimed by them at the GMG Radio Awards 2007.

Marilyn Monroe lookalike Arianna getting into the pool

This picture is of Marilyn Monroe impersonator (lookalike) Arianna unwinding in the Jacuzzi after a long day on Hollywood Boulevard. Though there were several other celebrities before and after her, Marilyn Monroe is the most copied or as, Arianna would like say, impersonated celebrity. Everything about Marilyn Monroe is still a craze decades after her 'controversial' death. Many noted female celebrity tried to emulate her in looks, style, acting, singing, etc. And many non-celebs too keep on emulating her. Why this Marilyn Monroe craze? Any answers?