Bollywood’s “blue-eyed” damsel turns 32

By: Poonam Bisht

Hindi film industry's "blue-eyed" actress, who mesmerised the audience with her acting and dancing skills for well over a decade, before playing the real-life role of a dutiful wife and caring mother, turns 32 today.

Lolo, as Karishma Kapoor is popularly known as, set a remarkable precedent for several aspiring actors as to how with sheer hard work, determination and dedication, one can transform from a boyish looking actress with pathetic acting skills to a diva. Karishma, who belonged to the most illustrious film family of India, is regarded as one of the most hard-working actresses of Hindi cinema till date.

In the words of another diva Sridevi (who ruled Bollywood for several years), "I always thought I am the most hard-working actress in the industry. But after seeing Karishma's work under my home production, my opinion has changed forever. She is a class apart."

Born on June 25, 1974 to legendary showman Raj Kapoor's eldest son Randhir Kapoor and actress Babita, acting was in her blood. However, Karishma had to rebel against the entire Kapoor clan for pursuing her dream to become an actress (reportedly not allowed for any females in the family). Without any assistance from her family, with only her mother to support her, she started her journey with 'Prem Qaidi'. The film was a hit and her acting was also appreciated. But she was severely criticised in the films that followed her debut film thanks to her made up voice and horrible looks.

But she was meant to make it big in the industry. After much introspection, she decided to work on her weak areas. With the help of designer Manish Malhotra, she transformed herself into a damsel and hit back at critics by winning the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her sizzling performance in 'Raja Hindustani'. After that she never looked back.

Karishma is one of those few actresses who maintained a perfect balance between commercial and parallel cinema. She was as good in her comic and dance timing with mass hero Govinda as she was in unforgettable films like Shyam Benegal's 'Zubeida'. Like her predecessors Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit, Karishma has been known for her acting skills as well as for her dance moves.

Karishma's thorough professional skills and dignified off-screen behaviour is well-known. Unlike other stars, she would hardly attend late-night parties. Rather she preferred to do the homework well for any role she played. She would get into the skin of the character she portrayed. While enacting a scene (of mourning) in the movie 'Fiza', in which she played the lead role, Karishma did not use glycerine, rather she actually cried. The scene looked so real that the unit members were seen wiping off the tears on the sets.

Like Aamir Khan, Karishma is also known for her desire for perfecting each role. No wonder, she took three-months vigorous dance coaching from Shiamak Davar when she came to know that she was playing a role opposite none other than dancing queen Madhuri Dixit in 'Dil To Pagal Hai'.

Despite the tension in the family between her parents, unlike her younger sister Kareena, Karishma was never vocal about it. Rather she tried her best to defuse the tension. Karishma has seen several upheavals in her life and career. She was heartbroken after her broken engagement to Abhishek Bachchan, but she recovered from the suffering and did some brilliant work after that.

But more pain was in store for her. She married Delhi-based businessman and divorcee Sunjay Kapoor and soon gave birth to a baby girl. However, her relationship with her husband deteriorated to such an extent that the matter reached court and she once again went through suffering in full public view. Bur finally the troubles were over and she re-united with her husband.

Karishma is now playing the real-life role of a wife and a mother. But what her ardent fans are waiting for, is her comeback to the silver screen.