I'm back,but this is not my comeback! Karisma

In an tete a tete with Meenakshi Shankar, Karisma Kapoor gets candid on why she jumped on the reality bandwagon albeit a little late in the day, her foray as a judge in Nach Baliye and much more…

To the oft asked question, why Nach Baliye and why she chose television, Karisma Kapoor says, "Why not Nach Baliye? The show and the number of viewers it brought it was enough to convince me to be a part of the show. Nach Baliye has been a property to be reckoned with for the last three years. It is one of the finest showcases that we have on television. And theser are not merely words because I am part of the showcase, but as a viewer, I have been tuning into the show in the earlier seasons. And the show has excellent TRP ratings. And moreover, at some level I identify with the show. It is a show full of energy."

She adds, " I have been on the other side where I was judged on my dancing skills. The masses would wait and watch for my moves, but here I am on the other side. I am going to be judging them. But because I know what it is to be under the constant pressure of being in the limelight and being judged, I hope to bring in my learning to the contestants. The gap between movies and television is barely visible. Everyone is doing TV and why not? Television is a lot of hard work, but the reach is far greater than movies."

But there was a buzz that Karisma was a name that was pitched for 9X's Chak De Bacche Season 2. But things didnt work out at the last minute and she opted to sit in a panel with Farha and Arjun Rampal. Like a graceful ballerina, she sidestepped the question choosing to answer only her stint with Nach Baliye. But, if the industry sources are to be believed, though 9 x offered her a good package, Karisma went purely for the TRP ratings. The Kapoor gal wanted to be part of what is best - so even though the zing of the Nach Baliye Season 4 was not there like the earlier seasons, if sources are to be believed, she chose the show purely on the TRP ratings.

Speculations were rife if indeed Lolo would be a part of Nach Baliye Season 4. Were you toying with the idea of getting back on the job market?

I was a little wary about jumping on board because I wanted to know the time frames. I have a family and motherhood does tend to take a considerable amount of time. So when I was approached to be a judge, I did toy with the idea. I wanted to be a part of the showcase, but I wanted clarity. But Star and Wizcraft have been truly wonderful about working on the time frames. Luckily, reality TV does not take much of your time. Once or twice a week is a nice way to ease into work.
I am a 'jhatakas'and 'matkas' girl. I love dancing. Give me a chance to wear my dancing shoes and I am ready to do the twirls and swirls. But if you were to ask me what kind of dancing I prefer…well, it has to be our jhatkas!

Coming to her sabbatical, she says, "I have been working since I was 15 years old. I have had a fair number of films, both commercial and otherwise as being critically acclaimed

But I decided that my daughter and my family comes first. Why does every body call it a comeback? When Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep in Hollywood decided to do one movie in five years, folks call it a break. I did take a break, but now I am back. It's not that the projects haven't come my way…I just didn't feel like getting into the groove of applying war paint and facing the lights. I wanted to enjoy my life.

A lot of people have asked me what would it take to face the arch lights and my reply to them is – I have to feel for the movie. I have to feel it in my bones. The script has to pull me away from all my commitments and make me want to be part of it. I don't care of the outcome of the movie. I should be convinced.

Do you watch a lot of television? Yes, I do and I reach out to both the genres – fiction and reality show. But, you have to agree that reality shows are much more exciting than the fiction shows.

So what kind of judge are you going to be?

I hope to be someone fair and I hope to contribute to the show. But, if you are asking me if I would stoop to the level of 'dramabaazi' to increase the TRP's, then let me assure you that is not my forte. Infact, the other day, all the three of us – Farha, Arjun and me met up to discuss on what's our strategy going to be. There's not going any walking out of the show or temper tantrums. Yes, I do know that with reality TV, the judges have been brutal at times. But I chose not to comment on that bit. I am going to be encouraging, but at the same time, I am going to judge fairly.

As a judge, the three of us are going to be a potent package. And, truth be told, I don't think I would want to be a party to a show where the judges emotions are scripted. That is not my cuppa tea.

But hasn't she jumped on the reality bandwagon a tad bit too late. Her coterie – Sonali Bendre and Raveena Tandon are already making a mark. "I do not believe in herd mentality. Yes, there are numerous shows mushrooming, but if a reality showcase had come to me earlier, I wouldn't have considered it. The timing had to be right. The gap between movies and TV is completely gone."

The three musketeers – Farha, Arjun and Me. Arjun and I have danced in a lot of shows. But we have never shared a screen space. The show is going to be a Rock On show because all the three of us share a good vibe. And to me, as a participant in the show, it is an important ingredient because there is so much of comfort level.

She did a television show for Sahara One, which barely made a dent in the TRP charts. But she defends the show like a lioness. "I did it because I was convinced. The role was good and I enjoyed every day of it. But television is hard work. You have an option of hanging your boots when you are working with films, but with television, you are constantly on your feet. As an actor, I have tremendous respect for the actors in the television fraternity

Neither have the demands of marriage nor motherhood has so much as dented her stunning good looks. She looks as gorgeous as ever…and by far, giving her sister Kareena a run for the 'size zero' look which of course, with her trademark lilting laughter she says, "I have been always like this…and size zero is a media hype. I am looking good because I am Me and I am content with my life."

Dwelling on one layer of her personal life, she says, "Motherhood has changed me. I am more mature and I am very happy with my life. Yes, there are ups and downs but then, who wants a life like a straight road. Give me a roller coaster ride any day. It is the best phase in my life and made me much more responsible as a person."

Shakti in 2002 was the last time I faced the camera. In a way, yes, I did miss the lights, but then, I decided that if I don't hang my boots and enjoy the phase I am in now, I would never ever enjoy my life. And now that I am back, I am open to new ideas and new shows, but again, it has to be something which touches a chord…