The buzz this year has revolved around Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor on the new comer end or Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra on the established star end. In the midst, Katrina Kaif's endearing screen presence has been noticed but not adequately acknowledged.

Katrina, 23, has delivered three back to back big hits this year with Namastey London, Partner and Apne, which is more than what Aishwarya Rai or Priyanka Chopra have done.

In all the three films her presence tended to linger in the mind a lot longer than say Vidya Balan's performance in a big hit like Heyy Babyy. We are saying this despite being unabashed Vidya Balan fans.

Yet the Indian press is inclined to treat Katrina more as a Salman accessory than one of the most outstanding talents of 2007.

Earlier this year Katrina and Salman appeared together on public platforms suggesting a deepening romance. There were persistent media stories that a wedding was in the offing with some reports pinning it on Christmas day.

"People have been writing about Salman and me for the past five years. There's no issue to talk about and that is what I've been saying all this while," Katrina says

It has now been quiet some time since a media story suggested a Salman - Katrina wedding is on the cards.

Going by public appearances, the romance, if it was ever there, has run its course.

Katrina says "I'm too young" for marriage.

"I have a lot of stuff to do before I get married. I'm trying to settle my family in London. And you never know how things turn out in the long run."

What Katrina has going for her is natural talent and good looks. Her screen presence is consistently endearing.

What she does not have going for her is her British accent. As long as she is playing a NRI it goes but when playing the role of a girl in India it is limiting.

In the past Katrina has used someone else's voice in her films but lately she has been keen to use her own. We are not very sure that is a good move on her part just yet.

Katrina's forthcoming films include Main Yuvraj in which she is paired for the first time opposite Salman Khan and Race in which she is paired opposite Akshaye Khanna.