Katrina made her Bollywood debut with the film 'Boom', directed by Kaizad Gustad. The film was a critical and commercial failure, and Katrina received negative reviews for her acting and Hindi pronunciation.

Following 'Boom', Katrina appeared in a few South Indian films to gain experience. She faced criticism for her Hindi speaking skills and acting abilities, leading to voice dubbing in some of her early films.

Katrina appeared in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Sarkar' in a supporting role, which gave her some recognition. Later that year, 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?', alongside Salman Khan, proved to be a commercial success and a turning point in her career. While the role was not particularly challenging, the film's success brought her into the spotlight.