Tuesday Trivia: Katrina Kaif made history by becoming the first Bollywood actor to have a Barbie doll modelled after her, joining the ranks of Hollywood icons. The actor is celebrating her birthday today, July 16.

Katrina Kaif is the first Bollywood actor to have a Barbie modelled after her.

It was 2009. Katrina Kaif was a part of Barbie’s 50th birthday celebrations. That was way before ‘Barbie’ (the film) became a thing. Katrina graced the runway at Lakme Fashion Week during the Barbie All Doll’d Up show, a contest celebrating the best Barbie outfit. As the face of Barbie, she showcased the winning dress designed by Nishka Lulla on the ramp. And what a trendsetter she had become! That was just months before a Barbie doll would be made on her.

Katrina Kaif's appearance on Ramp as a BarBie DolL *

A year later, in 2010, Katrina became the first Bollywood actor to have a Barbie doll crafted in her image. With that, the actor joined the league of Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Shakira, Audrey Hepburn, Heidi Klum and Elizabeth Taylor, who have all been immortalised as Barbie dolls.

Mattel India introduced the Katrina Barbie, a doll inspired by the Bollywood actress. The doll wore the same dress that Katrina wore during her famous Barbie-ramp walk in 2009.

At the launch, Katrina recalled her memories of Barbie. “Like all young girls, I too, have grown up with Barbie. She is the ultimate fashion icon,” she said.

Here are the photos from the launch in 2010:

In 2009, Katrina Kaif walked the ramp as Barbie in a pink frilled dress, often associated with the Barbie brand. She wore complementing gloves with her outfit. Her look was amped by her famous bang hairstyle and a tiny tiara sitting on her crown area. The outfit was designed by Nishka Lulla.

Here are her photos:

In a throwback interview with Spotboye, Nishka Lulla said that her all-time career high was when Katrina Kaif wore a dress designed by her. She said, “I was thinking about designing a collection for Lakme and then the Barbie contest was announced. Katrina Kaif was the brand ambassador for Barbie at that time. She was supposed to wear the outfit designed by the winner. I participated and put my heart and soul into the competition, which had around 100 participants. The best moment was when Katrina walked the ramp wearing an outfit designed by me.”

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Not many know, but before Katrina Kaif, it was Aishwarya Rai who would have had a Barbie immortalising her. Reportedly, she had to decline the opportunity due to bandwidth issues.

“Mattel again proposed that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan endorse the Barbie doll, but as her prior commitments stretched her for time, she had to decline yet again. The turn of the millennium special edition celebrity doll was to feature Naomi Campbell, among others,” read a statement issued by Aishwarya’s spokesperson back then.

Katrina Kaif, who is still celebrated for her beauty and acting prowess, is celebrating her 41st birthday today, July 16. Happily married to Vicky Kaushal, the actor was last seen in ‘Merry Christmas’ with Vijay Sethupathi. Her next project is yet to be announced.