Juhi Chawla defends Katrina Kaif, calls her a committed actress

The Smita Patil Memorial Award presented to Katrina Kaif opened up a Pandora's box of trolls for the actress. Since the announcement, and even after the event, the internet was buzzing with statements criticising the selection. However, the actress need not worry. Juhi Chawla has stepped up in her defence.

Chawla, who was also present at the Priyadarshini Academy's 32nd Global Awards function on Monday, said, "I think our memory is very short. Just a few years ago, I remember Katrina Kaif was in a row. She had about 10 super-duper hit films to her credit. I think she deserves an award. She is very beautiful and a committed actress." 

Another actress who called out the detractors was Swara Bhaskar. The Nil Battey Sannata (2016) actress wrote in a column, "Whether or not Katrina Kaif is a good actor notwithstanding, there is no denying that she is a hugely hard-working, disciplined and diligent person. It reflects in her work." The actress added, "Any artiste of any field will tell you that hard work is something to be respected." 

Kaif had emphasised similar points in her acceptance speech. She said, "I believe the most important thing in art is truth. And I promise my attempt to be truthful and sincere to the craft which has largely given me the purpose of my life over the last 15 years." 

Kaif is currently filming for Anurag Basu's comedy-mystery, Jagga Jasoos, with former boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor. She will also reprise her role as Zoya in Ali Abbas Zafar's Tiger Zinda Hai, opposite Salman Khan.