Thirty-five years after making his big screen debut, Karisma Kapoor taking a trip down memory lane. The actor, who entered the industry with K. Murali Mohana Rao’s ‘Prem Qaidi’ in 1991, says it is surreal to look back on a career that began when he was a teenager. Starring opposite Harish, Karisma was just 16 when she faced the camera for the first time, a period she remembers as a whirlwind transition from classrooms to film sets.For Karisma, there is almost no break between education and acting. The actor recalled that his debut film came just a few days before a major milestone in his personal life.“My first movie was released four days before my 17th birthday. So, I was straight out of school. I went to junior college for a few days, and then I went straight to the sets of Prem Qaidi. I remember the mahurat shot too. Time went by so quickly.”The early 1990s, he said, came with their own set of challenges. The shooting conditions were very different from what actors experience today, especially when it comes to lighting equipment. “The light was so bad. We used to have a hard time barely keeping our eyes open.”
Karisma Kapoor to watch the cinema that has evolved over three decades
Having worked for several periods in filmmaking, Karisma has seen the technical landscape of the industry change dramatically. From celluloid film to digital camera and from dubbing studios to sync-sound recording, the process of making movies has changed a lot during his career.One project that stands out in his memory is Shyam Benegal’s ‘Zubeidaa’, which he describes as a turning point professionally and creatively. “Obviously, it was all very 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 that moment.”According to the actor, performing live on set brings a level of spontaneity that is 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 makes everything easier with all the concentration and silence.”
A memorable partnership with Shyam Benegal
Among the filmmakers who have influenced her journey, Karisma holds Shyam Benegal in the highest regard. The actress said that working in ‘Zubeidaa’ gave her an opportunity to learn not only about acting but also about cinema as a craft.“Zubeidaa is a learning experience. He is an amazing director, and an even more amazing person.” He recalls conversations with Benegal between shots, when he would share stories from the rich history of Indian cinema.“I think I learned a lot even behind the camera from what he told me. Whenever we were free between shots, I would ask him to share stories and kisses with other actors and great actresses from other films, and he would do that. It was a great experience.”
Why is ‘Zubeidaa’ an easy yes?
Interestingly, Benegal was not sure if Karisma would be interested in one of his films, given her image as a mainstream commercial star. However, the actor said that he did not hesitate.“He and my grandfather (Raj Kapoor) share the same birthday, December 14. So, I’ve always had this special bond with him.” Recalling their first meeting, he said that the filmmaker repeatedly checked if he was sure about taking the project.“I remember going to see him, and he said, ‘But will you act in my movie?’ I said, ‘Sir, of course!’ I am completely honored and grateful.” He added, “He said, ‘Are you sure?’ I said, ‘No, I’m going to do it, 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 never happened
Before ‘Prem Qaidi’, Karisma is expected to launch her career with ‘Barsaat’ opposite Bobby Deol. However, delays in the film’s development led him to move on at one point. Years later, Bobby Deol revealed that production delays played a role in the change of plans. “Actually, I was supposed to start with Karisma Kapoor. But the story of my film was not developed. The scripting is still going on.”The actor further explained that the circumstances of the industry at the time influenced the decision. “So, Karisma is a little insecure, and I don’t blame her for that. So, she decided to start her career with Prem Qaidi.” While ‘Barsaat’ was finally released in 1995 with: Twinkle Khanna as the female lead, Karisma had already established herself as one of the popular stars of Bollywood by then.After her debut, Karisma became one of the most sought-after actresses of the 1990s through films like ‘Raja Babu’, ‘Coolie No. 1’, ‘Saajan Chale Sasural’, ‘Judwaa’, ‘Hero No. 1’, ‘Biwi No. In Pagal Hai’ and ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’.After taking a break from acting after her marriage in 2003, she returned to the screen with ‘Dangerous Ishhq’ and later expanded her presence in the streaming space through projects like ‘Mentalhood’, ‘Murder Mubarak’ and ‘Brown’.
The front of Karisma Kapoor’s work
Today, Karisma says that 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, and not from the head. If I want to do something, I do it. If not, I’m not interested.”Even after spending 35 years in the industry, his passion for acting remains unchanged. “I never take myself seriously. I just love to act. I want to give it my best shot, and then I leave it to my listeners and fans.”As she marks 35 years since ‘Prem Qaidi’, Karisma Kapoor’s journey continues to reflect the evolution of Hindi cinema itself, spanning multiple generations, formats and storytelling styles while remaining firmly connected to the craft that first brought her to the screen as a teenager.