“I was always meant to be an actress”: Karisma Kapoor’s throwback revelation

Karisma Kapoor's Throwback Revelation: "I Was Always Meant To Be An Actress"

Before Karisma Kapoor became a Bollywood sensation in the 1990s, her decision to enter the film industry itself was a groundbreaking move. In a rare 1990 interview, a year before her debut in Prem Qaidi, the then 16-year-old Karisma Kapoor openly discussed challenging the Kapoor family's traditions, her initial experiences on set, and the special encouragement she received from her grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor.

Breaking the Family Mould

Speaking with Lehren Retro, Karisma Kapoor directly addressed the family's historical stance on women in film.

"If my father and his brother could marry heroines, why can't the women of the family work in films? It's the same thing."

At a time when daughters-in-law like Babita and Neetu Singh had retired from acting after marriage, Karisma Kapoor's decision to pursue a career in film marked a significant shift. She refuted the notion that Kapoor women were prohibited from appearing on screen, stating,

“I don’t know why everybody is under this illusion. My father encourages me now. Even my grandfather said, ‘Lolo baby, if you become an actress, be the best — otherwise don’t.’”

Facing the Camera for the First Time

While Prem Qaidi was released in 1991, Karisma Kapoor's first experience in front of the camera was during the filming of Nishchay in 1990, which was released later in 1992. She fondly recalled her first day on set, sharing, "I had waited so long to face the camera. It was so nice. I shot a short scene with Salman Khan and Reema Lagoo. Everyone, including the director, was incredibly sweet and made me feel comfortable.”

She also mentioned that she never underwent a screen test, making her debut feel even more genuine and personal.

On the professional front, Karisma Kapoor’s most recent project was ‘Murder Mubarak’, directed by Homi Adajania.