‘The Alliance’ winner Mini Mathur and Katrina Kaif’s friendship:How Kabir Khan brought them together and made them a family

Mini Mathur is currently in the spotlight after winning the reality show The Alliance, taking home the winner's trophy and a cash prize of ₹50 lakh. While her recent victory has brought her back into the limelight, Mini has been a familiar face in the entertainment industry for years. She is also known for her close friendship with Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif, a bond that has continued for nearly two decades. Katrina Kaif is known for keeping her personal life away from the spotlight, but there are a few people from the film industry who have remained close to her for years. One of them is television host and actor Mini Mathur. Their friendship has continued for years and has also connected Katrina closely with Mini's husband, filmmaker Kabir Khan. The three share a bond that goes beyond professional relationships. How did Katrina and Mini become friends? Mini Mathur became close to Katrina through her association with Kabir Khan. Kabir and Katrina worked together on films such as New York, Ek Tha Tiger and Phantom. Over the years, their professional association turned into a strong personal bond, with Kabir himself describing Katrina as more than a friend and saying she is like family to him. Mini is more than just Kabir Khan's wife Although Mini is married to Kabir Khan, her friendship with Katrina has its own identity. The two are often seen sharing pictures and birthday wishes on social media. Katrina has also openly expressed her affection for Mini, showing that their bond is not limited to their husbands' professional connection. Katrina's birthday wish for Mini Their friendship has often appeared on social media. On Mini's birthday in 2023, Katrina shared a throwback picture of the two along with their friend Karishma Kohli. She wished Mini warmly and described her as a source of joy and sunshine. Mini later shared Katrina's post and responded with a playful message, showing the comfortable equation they share. Their friendship goes back many years The bond between Katrina and Mini is not a recent one. In 2023, reports highlighted that the two had been friends for around 15 years. Mini also shared a birthday post for Katrina in 2023, recalling their long friendship and describing it as easy-going, fun and full of love. Their friendship has remained strong despite their busy careers and changing phases of life. Mini and Kabir attended Katrina's wedding Mini Mathur and Kabir Khan were among the small group of close friends who attended Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal's wedding in Rajasthan in 2021. Their presence was another indication of how close the couple had become to Katrina. Mini was also seen at events connected with the wedding celebrations. Kabir calls Katrina 'family' Kabir Khan has himself spoken about his relationship with Katrina. In an interview with Humans of Bombay, he said that Katrina is much more than a friend and that she is like family. He also pointed out that his bond with Katrina goes back to the time of New York and has grown through the years spent together, beyond their three films. Katrina and Mini also share a travel bond The friendship is not limited to film events and social media posts. Katrina has shared vacation pictures with Mini and their mutual friend Karishma Kohli. In 2024, Katrina used a picture from their Maldives holiday in a birthday post for Mini, once again showing their close friendship away from the cameras. Mini is part of Katrina's close circle Katrina's friendship with Mini also reflects how the actress has built a close circle outside the usual Bollywood party scene. Reports and social media posts have shown Katrina spending time with Mini, Kabir and their mutual friends. The group has remained connected through personal celebrations, holidays and important moments. Other Bollywood friendships