Zareen Khan on Katrina comparisons, working with Salman & weight loss

Zareen Khan made waves with her debut opposite Salman Khan in Veer 15 years ago. Today, the actor-- who has often been compared to Katrina Kaif-- is launching her own beauty brand, has worked in multiple regional film industries, and charted a fitness journey many admire.

In an exclusive interview with Hook, the actor and newly-minted beauty brand founder spilled the beans on why her debut and the Katrina comparisons were flattering, how she tackles trolls and protects her mental health, and her newest baby, Happy Hippie.

Zareen Khan on debuting opposite Salman Khan

Not many can say they did their first film opposite one of the Khans. For Zareen, working with Salman was all that and more. She said, “It was actually a dream that I never saw coming true.”

Image credit: T-Series Films, Sohail Khan Productions, One Up Entertainment, Rawail Grandsons Entertainment & Software, Wave Cinemas

Talking about how she grew up surrounded by Salman fans, she said, “It was not something I’d ever in my life thought. My whole family has been a huge fan of Salman since forever, and then me finally getting an opportunity of working with him,” adding, “I still pinch myself, even after 15 years, that ‘Did this really happen in my life?’”

Zareen Khan’s take on the Katrina Kaif comparisons

Zareen has been on the receiving end of comparisons with Katrina since her debut. She opened up on how that made her feel, saying: “For a girl who was 100 kg as a teenager, and who just recently lost weight and then was being called this, it was really flattering (to be compared to Katrina Kaif).”

She also revealed that the comparisons she perceived as flattering weren’t seen the same way by everyone: “I realised after being a part of this industry that it’s not supposed to be flattering, and these kind of thing don’t work. But as a girl, oh my God it was flattering.”

How Zareen Khan deals with trolling

Like most women on social media, Zareen has also unfortunately dealt with trolls. Her philosophy is to not take the negativity to heart: “I’m sure that these people who are coming and writing it there, if you’re in front of them ... they will not have the courage to say this to your face.”

Comparing social media users to gossip-mongers, she added, “Woh bolte the na pehle, mohalle ki auntiyaan, ye saare woh banke baithe hain abhi, ki haye haye dekho issne yeh kar diya, ussne woh kar diya (You know how they used to say, the neighbourhood’s aunties, these people have turned into that now. Like, oh, see, she did this, he did that).”

The way Zareen Khan manages her mental health

Image credit: Instagram.com/zareenkhan

Zareen shared her views on how to manage once mental health. “I have gone through really difficult times in my life at a very early age, and when you’ve already gone through so much at a very early age, you learn how to cope with things, you know. You learn how to filter things that’s not worth your sanity or your mental peace.”

She also talked about how preserving one’s mental health takes time and work: “It’s a slow process, a gradual process. But once you learn that, I think that is the best gift you can give to yourself: learning that your mental peace is not worth anybody’s nonsense.”

Zareen Khan on a healthy and sustainable fitness routine

Image credit: Instagram.com/zareenkhan

Often admired for her fitness journey, Zareen opened up on her health mantras.

Talking about her workout and diet, she said,“First thing I do is working out, because that just releases my happy hormones. Of course, after that, coming back home, having a good meal, not punishing myself by having just salads and boiled meals.”

Opening up on why she refuses to crash diet or deprive herself, she said, “I like eating my nutritious food, homemade food most of the time,” adding, “I have to follow something that does not feel like punishment. It’s only then I would be able to do it long-term. The moment I try to diet or the moment I try to eat foods that I’m not feeling happy with, I will not be able to do it long-term.”

What was working in regional films like for Zareen Khan?

As someone who has worked in multiple regional films, Zareen had interesting insights on the differences between the Punjabi and South film industries.

She said: “Punjabi industry I love love love ... they have a very laidback, ‘ho jayega’ wala attitude (Punjabi industry I love love love... they have a very laidbck, ‘it’ll get done’ sort of attitude). On the other hand, South is completely opposite. They are disciplined, they are strict. They are like ‘Pat, pat, pat.’ One shot ke peeche doosra shot (One shot after the other). No wasting time in between.”

Zareen Khan’s views on the beauty content on social media

As the founder of a beauty brand, Zareen had several thoughts on the beauty content she sees online. She said, “You see a lot of self-proclaimed skincare experts showing you seven-step, 10-step routines, you know, which in the end, you just feel like, ‘Oh my God, is this supposed to be this hectic? And is it supposed to be this confusing? And is it supposed to be this expensive?”

She also talked about the need for inclusivity in the beauty space, saying, “Since ages, people have always associated beauty or skincare or haircare, or any kind of care, only with women. But why? I mean why leave out the others? I’m sure the men also want to take care of themselves. The ones who do not identify as men or women and completely identify as a third gender—why leave anybody out?”

Zareen Khan’s beauty brand ‘Happy Hippie’

Launching a no-frills beauty brand that simplifies skincare, Zareen has named her brand Happy Hippie. Talking about why she picked that name, she said: “Unfortunately, when you say hippie, a lot of people automatically think, ‘Oh, unhygienic, pot-smoking junkies.’ But I think hippies are more than that. They are these beautiful beings who like living in peace, love and harmony, in sync with nature. They like living life in their own terms, without really getting, you know, bogged down by society or societal norms. And I’m somebody who’s always lived my life like that.”

Opening up on what the USP of her brand is, she said, “It is one product taking care of multiple skin issues. You do not need, like, 10 serums for 10 different issues. There’s this one serum that’s going to take care of multiple skin issues. One cream that’s going to take care of like what 10 cream does. One product, doing multi-tasking.”

Be it films or skincare, clearly, Zareen likes to keep it wholesome, straightforward, and simple!