Thirty-five years after her big screen debut, Karishma Kapoor Taking a trip down memory lane. Actor, who in 1991 K. Murali, who entered the industry with Mohana Rao’s ‘Prem Kaedi’, says it feels surreal to look back on a career he started as a teenager. Cast opposite Harish, Karisma was just 16 when she faced the camera for the first time, an episode she recalls as a whirlwind transition from classroom to film set.For Karishma, there was hardly a break between education and acting. The actor recalls that his first film came a few days before a big milestone in his personal life.“My first movie released four days before my 17th birthday. So, I came straight out of school. I went to junior college for a few days, and then I was straight on the sets of Prem Kaadi. I also remember the Mahratta shot. Time has flown really fast.”The early 1990s, he said, brought their own challenges. Shooting conditions were very different from what actors experience today, especially when it came to lighting equipment. “The light was so harsh. We could barely open our eyes.”
Karisma Kapoor has been watching movies for more than three decades
Having worked through multiple eras of filmmaking, Charisma has transformed the technological landscape of the industry dramatically. From celluloid film to digital cameras and dubbing studios to sync-sound recording, the process of filmmaking has changed significantly during his career.One project that stands out in his memory is Shyam Benegal’s ‘Zubaida’, which he describes as a turning point professionally and creatively. “Of course, it was brand new. And then I realized, and I think all actors would agree, that your real performance comes out when it’s in sync-sound because you’re in the moment.”According to the actor, performing live on set brought a level of spontaneity that was difficult to recreate during post-production dubbing. “No matter how hard we try, we can’t get the same emotion in a dark AC room while dubbing. I think it’s easier with all the concentration and silence.”
A memorable association with Shyam Benegal
Among the filmmakers who influenced her journey, Karishma holds Shyam Benegal in particularly high regard. The actress said that working in ‘Zubeda’ gave her an opportunity to learn not only about acting but also about cinema.“Zubaida was such a learning experience. She is such an amazing director and an even more amazing human being.” He remembers conversations with Benegal between shots, when he would share stories from the rich history of Indian cinema.“I think I learned a lot from what he talked to me behind the camera as well. Whenever we were free between shots, I asked him to share stories and kisses of other actors and great actresses from other films, and he actually did. It was a beautiful experience.”
Why ‘Zubaida’ became an instant yes
Interestingly, Benegal was not sure if Karisma would be interested in one of his films given her image as a mainstream commercial star. The actor, however, says he never hesitated.“She and my grandfather (Raj Kapoor) share the same birthday, December 14. So, I always had this strange attachment to him.” Recalling their first meeting, he says the filmmaker repeatedly checked whether he was sure about taking up the project.“I remember going to meet him, and he said, ‘But will you be in my movie?’ I said, ‘Sir of course!’ I was completely honored and grateful.” He added, “He said, ‘Are you sure?’ I said, ‘No, I will, and I want to do it because at this stage in my career, this is the time I want to explore.’
Karisma Kapoor’s debut that almost didn’t happen
Before ‘Prem Kaedi’, Karisma was expected to start her career with ‘Barsaat’ opposite Bobby Deol. However, delays in the film’s development led him to pursue another opportunity. Years later, Bobby Deol revealed that production delays played a role in the plan change. “Actually, I was supposed to start with Karisma Kapoor. But the story of my film wasn’t getting ready. The script was still going on.”The actor also explained that the state of the industry at the time influenced the decision. “So, Karishma was a little insecure, and I don’t blame her for that. So, she decided to start her career with Prem Kaedi.” Although ‘Barsaat’ was finally released in 1995 Twinkle Khanna As the female lead, Karishma had already established herself as one of Bollywood’s rising stars.After her debut, Karisma became one of the most popular actresses of the 1990s with films like ‘Raja Babu’, ‘Coolie No 1’, ‘Saajan Chali Sasural’, ‘Judwaa’, ‘Hero No 1’, ‘BV No 1’, ‘Haseena Jana Maana’, ‘Jeet’, ‘Raja Hindustani’, ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ and ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hai’.After stepping away from acting after her marriage in 2003, she returned to the screen with ‘Dangerous Ishq’ and later expanded her presence in the streaming space with projects like ‘Mentalhood’, ‘Murder Mubarak’ and ‘Brown’.
In front of Karisma Kapoor’s work
Today, Karisma says her approach to choosing projects is guided less by strategy and more by instinct. “The kind of person I am, I work from my heart, not my head. If I want to do something, I will do it. If I don’t, I’m not interested.”Even after spending 35 years in the industry, her passion for acting remains unchanged. “I’ve never taken myself too seriously. I just love to act. I want to give it my best shot, and then I just leave it up to my audience and fans.”As she completes 35 years of ‘Prem Kaadi’, Karisma Kapoor’s journey continues to reflect the evolution of Hindi cinema, spanning multiple generations, formats and storytelling styles and staying firmly connected to the craft that first brought her to the screen as a teenager.
