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KARISHMA KAPOOR - STEALING A MARCH!
On a beautiful sunny afternoon Karishma Kapoor is busy holding court, discussing her dates and the offers she has been approached with. The scene mirrors the type of role Karishma wants to play these days: a strong woman forging her own destiny in a world of twists and curves. Indeed, the perennial teen queen, with whom movie fans hve gone steady since her debut, has blossomed into a thoughtful, aware twenty-one year old. The past year has been Karishma's year, a giddy, intoxicating 12 months in which the back-to-back successes of Sajan Chale Sasural, Jeet, Raja Hindustani, Judwaa and Hero No.1 have catapulated her past the constellation of more established actresses to become Tinsel town's brightest star.
But even though she appears to have suddenly hogged the limelight, hers is not one of those storybook careers. Although she's poised to challenge the big guns as Bollywood's biggest box-office draw, she's had a long climb to the top. Despite her prestigious debut in Prem Qaidi, her film career progressed in anything but a straight line. She has spent years slogging away, lending her best to hits and croppers alike. But even when critics threw verbal tomatoes at some of the stinkers she worked in, they spared her performances. However, makers never considered her for better parts because they thought she wasn't capable enough to carry a film on her shoulders. But she never gave up hope. A child of showbiz, she knew the ups and downs. She was very aware of the essential fragility of the entire situation. She learnt to play the game: in tinsel town, even an ingenue can't be too young. And through an early starter in the stardom stakes, she achieved much more than expected, for a twenty-one year old.
With the success of Jeet and Raja Hindustani and the immense appreciation and accolades for her work in them, she has grounded her future in films. She has worked hard to get where she is and her mobility, change and continual reinvention of the self have been the key ingredients to success. She's focussed, full of life and energy, real achiever, independent and very strong. She certainly has the great skills, ability and intelligence as her other successful contemporaries. But what sets her apart is from her other successful contemporaries is her fierce competitive edge. She's got enough energy for a thousand people because she loves what she does. She's really enjoying herself and it shows. Coming across as very together and organised, she's quite happily managing her career well. Today her body language is smart and alluring, a charm that effortlessly overlaps more standard erotic appeal. Fans - including swarms of gushing teenagers - carry on about her as the girl they'd most like to be, have as a best friend, adopt, or marry. Producers rave about her boffo box office returns. Her asking price has reportedly increased threefolds to somewhere between 75 lakhs to a crore of rupees. She's also graduated from the song'n'dance roles to stake her claim for the top spot.
Her performances have always earned plaudits, but it has taken an earnest and mature effort in Raja Hindustani to assure her status as an actress of calibre. She was absolutely magnificient in the emotional sequence in the film where she pleads for her newborn infant, one of the best pieces of acting one has ever seen. She obviously does have a very sharp sense of pathos to add to her exquisite sense of comic timing. According to her makers, Karisma comes to an understanding of her part so effortlessly that one suspects she really is playing herself. Her recent releases (and there have been so many of them) have been the sort to inspire penetrating gazes. With her pretty looks and buoyant manner it's not hard to know what to make of a movie star whom other actors and directors repeatedly describe as 'fun to work with'.
What's also most notable and has played a major role in her current success is that she has set her own new standards for beauty. While still as svelte and comely as ever, her face is fuller, more womanly. Her eyes are no longer dewy, they bespeak experience. Her baby pinks and blues have been discarded for a more vibrant and funky wardrobe. Her hair looks full and alluringly frames a well made-up face. Her attitude is less spur-of-the-moment and more introspective. It's a miracle what hair, make-up and good designer clothes can do. Today, she's as different as a change from East to West, from winter to summer. She's expanded the options and grounded the future with more possibilities.
Posing for pictures with hotshot lensman, Dabboo Ratnani, she is facing a future as bright as the strobes that keep flashing in her face. Somehow, though, she seems completely unaffected and entirely in her element, easily vibing with the photographer, her hairdresser and make-up man. Later she sits down in the make-up room and as her hairdresser tends to her tresses, she excitedly chatters about the great time she's having. Her lack of bitterness makes her instantly likeable, but it's the musical, childlike tone of her voice that really wins one over as one talks to the girl of the moment about her hits, her mishits, her transformation and her future in general.
Things have finally fallen into place for the Kapoor gal. Though super success and due recognition of her talent came a bit later than expected, she isn't miffed. It's time people realised that she is the hardest working actress around. And she feels she deserves every bit of her glory. She states categorically, "I'm indeed elated that people have finally acknowledged my abilities and have started taking me seriously as an actress. It has taken me a lot of hard work and perseverance to achieve this distinction. In the past, they always took my talent for granted since I was supposed to have inherited my acting genes from my illustrious family. So no amount of sincerity or hard work could impress them. In fact, I saw other heroines achieving much more with almost half the effort I invested. Of course, it used to rankle but I took it in my stride. I knew my day would come. It has been a major struggle for me but I guess it was worth it."
Naturally so. After all, she's also matured into a fine actress along the way. Today, she's capable of handling a variety of roles, from a love-struck teenybopper to a saree clad mother, with consummate ease. "Yes, I do feel that I've evolved as an actress over the years and it has been a steady growth. Most importantly, I've never been an insecure actress. I've never had to resort to gimmicks or imitate someone else to pass off as a good actress. I've always had an identity of my own and I'm proud of the fact."
And it took a heart-tugging performance in Raja Hindustani to make people aware that she was no push-over as an actress. It was a role of a lifetime which saw her fortunes soaring. One also witnessed the coming of age of a young actress who had surpassed herself with this superlative effort. She waxes eloquent about the film. "Frankly, I didn't expect the film to be such a staggering success. But the moment the script was narrated to me, I instinctively knew the film was going to be special. I could immediately identify with my character, Aarti. She was such a good human being and so close to life. I could empathise with her feelings and the problems she faced. The role also turned out to be quite a challenge for me as I had to spar with an accomplished actor like Aamir Khan. I knew that this was a realistic chance to prove myself as an actress." But playing a mother at such a young age was fraught with risk, wasn't it? After all, you don't see many actresses willing to take the chance. She defends vehemently, But I was playing a rather young mother in her late teens. I had a newborn child and wasn't mothering a six or seven year old. Probably the audience wouldn't have accepted me as a mother of a grown-up kid. But who cares now? Things worked out, didn't they?" And how. Incidently, did her co-star Aamir Khan give her some valuable tips during the course of the film? Strangely enough, she's rather non-committal. "I don't want to talk about my co-stars. All I know is that we worked like a team. Everyone made in valuable contribution and readily helped each other. Probably the reason why Raja Hindustani has clicked in such a big way".
However, the most notable fact was that nobody raised a hue and cry over the passionate kissing scene in the film. Primarily because neither did the scene jar nor did it arouse the baser instincts. But what convinced her to go ahead with the scene? She says, "I always knew that the scene was a part of the film. I felt the scene wasn't out of context since it made the young couple realise that they had unknowingly fallen desperately in love with each other. And Dharmesh Darshan promised that he would shoot it as sensitively and aesthetically as possible and he kept his word. People walked out of theatres remembering the performance in totality. No one pointed out the kissing scene in particular which proves that it blended quite well with the film.
What's more, her hard work and sincere effort landed her the 'Best Actress' award too. It must have been one of the most exhilarating moments of her life. She squeals delightedly, "Definitely! When you put in such a lot of yourself into a role, you do seek some sort of appreciation for it. And what could be better than bagging an award for it? I was really moved to tears when I heard my name being announced. I didn't hold any expectations and kept an open mind in case I faced disappointment. But I surely would have felt disappointed had I missed out on it. Anyway, people believed in me and gave their stamp of approval. What more could I want"
Of course, she had always dreamt of scaling such heights in her profession some day. And she credits her mother, Babita, for the success that she's enjoying today. "My mother has been my greatest inspiration. She's brought me up so well which is why I probably am so level-headed today. She has been telling me to believe in myself and never take my success for granted. I've imbibed a lot from her as an actress as well as a human being. I'm truly grateful for all that she's done for me. Without her, all this would probably not have been possible".
Okay, so she has at least achieved the kind of success she had always craved for. But does that mean she too has to succumb to the lure of the lucre? According to latest reports, she has been asking for a whopping sum of at least 75 lakh rupees as remuneration. Is she justified in doing so? She turns iceberg cool as her face takes on a stern expression, and replies, "I feel I'm charging what I deserve. If people are willing to pay my price, why shouldn't I ask for it? Haven't there been others before me who have done the same too? So why single me out? Point noted! And one does feel that she provided enough reasons to justify her price hike. As her releases after Raja Hindustani have also been raking in the moolah. She's quick to latch on to the fact. "So you see, even Judwaa and Hero No. 1 are big successes. That proves that I too can deliver hits. What more proof do you need?"
What also pleases her no end is her highly successful collaboration with David Dhawan and Govinda. "Hero No. 1 is our fourth consecutive hit together. It's very rarely that you see a hero-heroine and a director make such a winning combination. I can never stop working with these guys."
For that matter, she is also not resentful about being denied her due earlier. She holds no grudges and certainly doesn't regret having had to struggle to reach where she is today. She smiles wryly and says, "All that I've been through has actually made a better person and actress. In fact, I look back at my past experiences fondly.They have contributed to my evolution in every which way possible. And I don't believe in retaliating or bad-mouthing people who've given me a raw deal in the past. I guess my background restrains me from stooping so low. I've always maintained a dignified silence even during the worst of phases. Okay, it did take some time for someone to tap my potential. But once it happened with Jeet and Raja Hindustani, didn't I get my due? So why delve into the past, eh?" Well said!
Anyway, right now, she's looking forward to the good times ahead. She's decided not to restrict herself to meaty roles and get stuck with an image. She wants to work with an open mind and try on any good role that comes her way regardless of its screen time. "I've always tried to be as different as possible. I don't want to get slotted. I know I'm capable of doing any kind of role and I intend to prove it. Well, if you saw me as a coy, Indian, saree-clad girl in Raja Hindustani, didn't I also play the modern day teenager in Rakshak gyrating to the beats of Sundara sundara? I intend remaining as flexible as ever and wouldn't mind doing the occasional song n'dance stuff along with the regular meaty roles."
And amongst her soon-to-be released ventures, she's quite excited about Yash Chopra's Dil To Paagal Hai and S. Ramanathan's yet untitled film alongside Amitabh Bachchan. "Working with Yashji is sheer delight," she exults and continues, "The whole unit is like a family and there's no tension at all on the sets. My role has shaped up quite well in his film. Whereas in the latter film, I have a very interesting role. I play a girl who goes through a lot of turmoil trying to bail her man out of jail. And of course, I'm pretty excited about Mrityudaata too".
With the wheels of her career moving at lightning speed, she hardly has any time to think about other things in her life. She agrees, "I'm too involved in my career to give my love life or marriage any thought. I've worked hard to achieve success and I don't intend chucking it all up soon. I really love what I'm doing and so my career gets top priority today.'
Today, the more she speaks, the clearer it is that Karisma Kapoor in her present incarnation, is right on track. The theme of her career has always been - 'Be careful about what you wish for, because you just might get it'. And boy, has this girl with that innocent countenance and princess like quality got it made? Don't think Manisha Koirala and Madhuri Dixit aren't looking over their shoulders.
Naturally so. After all, she's also matured into a fine actress along the way. Today, she's capable of handling a variety of roles, from a love-struck teenybopper to a saree clad mother, with consummate ease. "Yes, I do feel that I've evolved as an actress over the years and it has been a steady growth. Most importantly, I've never been an insecure actress. I've never had to resort to gimmicks or imitate someone else to pass off as a good actress. I've always had an identity of my own and I'm proud of the fact."
And it took a heart-tugging performance in Raja Hindustani to make people aware that she was no push-over as an actress. It was a role of a lifetime which saw her fortunes soaring. One also witnessed the coming of age of a young actress who had surpassed herself with this superlative effort. She waxes eloquent about the film. "Frankly, I didn't expect the film to be such a staggering success. But the moment the script was narrated to me, I instinctively knew the film was going to be special. I could immediately identify with my character, Aarti. She was such a good human being and so close to life. I could empathise with her feelings and the problems she faced. The role also turned out to be quite a challenge for me as I had to spar with an accomplished actor like Aamir Khan. I knew that this was a realistic chance to prove myself as an actress." But playing a mother at such a young age was fraught with risk, wasn't it? After all, you don't see many actresses willing to take the chance. She defends vehemently, But I was playing a rather young mother in her late teens. I had a newborn child and wasn't mothering a six or seven year old. Probably the audience wouldn't have accepted me as a mother of a grown-up kid. But who cares now? Things worked out, didn't they?" And how. Incidently, did her co-star Aamir Khan give her some valuable tips during the course of the film? Strangely enough, she's rather non-committal. "I don't want to talk about my co-stars. All I know is that we worked like a team. Everyone made in valuable contribution and readily helped each other. Probably the reason why Raja Hindustani has clicked in such a big way".
However, the most notable fact was that nobody raised a hue and cry over the passionate kissing scene in the film. Primarily because neither did the scene jar nor did it arouse the baser instincts. But what convinced her to go ahead with the scene? She says, "I always knew that the scene was a part of the film. I felt the scene wasn't out of context since it made the young couple realise that they had unknowingly fallen desperately in love with each other. And Dharmesh Darshan promised that he would shoot it as sensitively and aesthetically as possible and he kept his word. People walked out of theatres remembering the performance in totality. No one pointed out the kissing scene in particular which proves that it blended quite well with the film.
What's more, her hard work and sincere effort landed her the 'Best Actress' award too. It must have been one of the most exhilarating moments of her life. She squeals delightedly, "Definitely! When you put in such a lot of yourself into a role, you do seek some sort of appreciation for it. And what could be better than bagging an award for it? I was really moved to tears when I heard my name being announced. I didn't hold any expectations and kept an open mind in case I faced disappointment. But I surely would have felt disappointed had I missed out on it. Anyway, people believed in me and gave their stamp of approval. What more could I want"
Of course, she had always dreamt of scaling such heights in her profession some day. And she credits her mother, Babita, for the success that she's enjoying today. "My mother has been my greatest inspiration. She's brought me up so well which is why I probably am so level-headed today. She has been telling me to believe in myself and never take my success for granted. I've imbibed a lot from her as an actress as well as a human being. I'm truly grateful for all that she's done for me. Without her, all this would probably not have been possible".
Okay, so she has at least achieved the kind of success she had always craved for. But does that mean she too has to succumb to the lure of the lucre? According to latest reports, she has been asking for a whopping sum of at least 75 lakh rupees as remuneration. Is she justified in doing so? She turns iceberg cool as her face takes on a stern expression, and replies, "I feel I'm charging what I deserve. If people are willing to pay my price, why shouldn't I ask for it? Haven't there been others before me who have done the same too? So why single me out? Point noted! And one does feel that she provided enough reasons to justify her price hike. As her releases after Raja Hindustani have also been raking in the moolah. She's quick to latch on to the fact. "So you see, even Judwaa and Hero No. 1 are big successes. That proves that I too can deliver hits. What more proof do you need?"
What also pleases her no end is her highly successful collaboration with David Dhawan and Govinda. "Hero No. 1 is our fourth consecutive hit together. It's very rarely that you see a hero-heroine and a director make such a winning combination. I can never stop working with these guys."
For that matter, she is also not resentful about being denied her due earlier. She holds no grudges and certainly doesn't regret having had to struggle to reach where she is today. She smiles wryly and says, "All that I've been through has actually made a better person and actress. In fact, I look back at my past experiences fondly.They have contributed to my evolution in every which way possible. And I don't believe in retaliating or bad-mouthing people who've given me a raw deal in the past. I guess my background restrains me from stooping so low. I've always maintained a dignified silence even during the worst of phases. Okay, it did take some time for someone to tap my potential. But once it happened with Jeet and Raja Hindustani, didn't I get my due? So why delve into the past, eh?" Well said!
Anyway, right now, she's looking forward to the good times ahead. She's decided not to restrict herself to meaty roles and get stuck with an image. She wants to work with an open mind and try on any good role that comes her way regardless of its screen time. "I've always tried to be as different as possible. I don't want to get slotted. I know I'm capable of doing any kind of role and I intend to prove it. Well, if you saw me as a coy, Indian, saree-clad girl in Raja Hindustani, didn't I also play the modern day teenager in Rakshak gyrating to the beats of Sundara sundara? I intend remaining as flexible as ever and wouldn't mind doing the occasional song n'dance stuff along with the regular meaty roles."
And amongst her soon-to-be released ventures, she's quite excited about Yash Chopra's Dil To Paagal Hai and S. Ramanathan's yet untitled film alongside Amitabh Bachchan. "Working with Yashji is sheer delight," she exults and continues, "The whole unit is like a family and there's no tension at all on the sets. My role has shaped up quite well in his film. Whereas in the latter film, I have a very interesting role. I play a girl who goes through a lot of turmoil trying to bail her man out of jail. And of course, I'm pretty excited about Mrityudaata too".
With the wheels of her career moving at lightning speed, she hardly has any time to think about other things in her life. She agrees, "I'm too involved in my career to give my love life or marriage any thought. I've worked hard to achieve success and I don't intend chucking it all up soon. I really love what I'm doing and so my career gets top priority today.'
Today, the more she speaks, the clearer it is that Karisma Kapoor in her present incarnation, is right on track. The theme of her career has always been - 'Be careful about what you wish for, because you just might get it'. And boy, has this girl with that innocent countenance and princess like quality got it made? Don't think Manisha Koirala and Madhuri Dixit aren't looking over their shoulders.
BY: GEETY SAHGAL
