She didn’t have a single movie out in 2025. Not one. In the hyper-fast world of Bollywood, a year-long absence usually smells like a fading career. But with Katrina Kaif, the silence was actually a roar. While everyone was busy tracking box office numbers, she was busy quietly dominating the business world and, more importantly, starting a family.
Honestly, we’ve spent two decades watching her dance in sarees in the rain or dodge bullets with Salman Khan. We thought we knew the script. Then she went and flipped it.
On November 7, 2025, everything changed for her. She and Vicky Kaushal welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Vihaan. Just a few days ago, on January 7, 2026, they finally shared his name with the world. Vihaan. It means "dawn" or "new beginning." It’s a fitting name for a woman who has reinvented herself more times than most people change their phone settings.
The Business of Being Katrina Kaif
If you think she’s just an actress who happens to have a makeup line, you’re missing the point. Kay Beauty isn't a "celebrity project." It’s a juggernaut.
By early 2026, the brand’s gross sales hit a massive ₹350 crore. To put that in perspective, while other celebrity-backed brands are bleeding cash—Deepika Padukone’s 82°E reported losses last year—Katrina’s brand is thriving. It’s now one of the top five brands on Nykaa.
👉 See also: Noah Schnapp: Why the Stranger Things Star is Making Everyone Talk Right Now
Why? Because she’s the "guinea pig."
She actually wears the samples for 12-hour shoots. She tests how the foundation reacts to those brutal vanity van lights. People aren't buying the makeup because her face is on the box; they’re buying it because the product actually works on Indian skin tones. In September 2025, she even took the brand global, launching in the UK at Space NK. That’s a big deal. Most Indian brands never make that jump.
What the Numbers Actually Say
- ₹350 Crore: Gross sales for Kay Beauty by the start of 2026.
- 46% Growth: The year-on-year increase in her brand's value.
- 2.5 Million+: The number of customers she’s served globally.
The Vicky Kaushal Factor
Their relationship was the best-kept secret in Mumbai until that 2021 Rajasthan wedding. Fast forward to today, and they’ve just celebrated their fourth anniversary. Vicky recently admitted in an interview that he’s "sleep-deprived" but happier than ever.
It’s a weirdly grounded life for two of the biggest stars in the country. They argue about what food to order online. They fight over where to go on holiday. He says she’s the emotional one, and he’s the stubborn one.
✨ Don't miss: Nina Yankovic Explained: What Weird Al’s Daughter Is Doing Now
The most human moment? Vicky described being with her like a rainy day off where you feel "absolutely content." No rushing. No fear of the future. Just present. In an industry built on ego and "who's bigger than who," that kind of stability is rare. It’s probably why her fans are so protective of her.
What's Next on the Big Screen?
Let’s be real: we miss seeing her on the 70mm screen. Her last outing was Merry Christmas in early 2024, a movie that didn't set the box office on fire but proved she could actually act when given a meaty, dark role.
For 2026, the rumors are swirling. While her son Vihaan is the priority right now, the industry is buzzing about a few specific projects:
- Jee Le Zaraa: The all-female road trip movie with Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra is still the "will-they-won't-they" of Bollywood. Schedules are a mess, but the demand is sky-high.
- Tiger vs Pathaan: Scheduled for 2027, but pre-production is where she’ll likely start her comeback. You can't have a Tiger movie without Zoya.
- Remo D’Souza’s Dance Film: There’s talk of a project with Varun Dhawan slated for 2027, though nothing is set in stone.
Why People Get Her Wrong
A lot of critics used to dismiss her because of her accent or her limited emotional range in early films. That's a dated take. If you look at her work in Zero or Merry Christmas, you see a performer who stopped trying to please everyone and started picking roles that actually challenged her.
🔗 Read more: Nicole Young and Dr. Dre: What Really Happened Behind the $100 Million Split
She isn't just a "glamour doll" anymore. She’s a mogul. She’s a mother. She’s a survivor in an industry that usually chews women up and spits them out by age 35. Katrina is 42, and she’s arguably more influential now than she was during the Sheila Ki Jawani days.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you're following Katrina Kaif's trajectory in 2026, here is what to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Kay Beauty Expansion: As she moves further into the UK and Middle Eastern markets, her net worth is projected to skyrocket. She’s moving from "actor" to "billionaire founder" territory.
- Don't Expect a Movie Blitz: She is being incredibly selective. Don't expect her to sign five movies. She’s likely to do one high-quality project per year from here on out.
- Follow the "Vihaan" Effect: Her social media has shifted. It’s less about red carpets and more about authentic, "sleep-deprived" parenthood. This is making her more relatable to a whole new demographic of fans.
Keep an eye on her official Instagram for the first full photo of Vihaan—so far, we've only seen his tiny hand. In the meantime, her business success remains the blueprint for every other actor trying to build a brand that lasts longer than a movie's theatrical run.