Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Biography
Name : Karisma Kapoor
Birth Date : June 25, 1974
Nick Name : Lolo
Eye Colour : Hazel
Height : 5' 6
Family : Mother - Babita (Actress), Father - Randhir Kapoor (Actor ) Sister - Kareena Kapoor (Actress)
Profession : Modeling & Acting
Spouse : Sanjay Kapoor (29 September 2003 - present)
Who would have thought that the great showman's granddaughter would have a tough struggle before anyone took her seriously?For that matter, would Raj Kapoor have been pleased at all, to watch little Lolo on screen? Most probably, not, considering the Kapoor family's aversion to letting their women folk pursue a career in films.
Karisma's mother, Babita had to bid adieu to the arclights when she tied the knot with Randhir Kapoor, as did Rishi Kapoor's wife, Neetu, who had to pack up at the height of her popularity.
It is no wonder then that Babita groomed her elder daughter to step into her shoes and break the family tradition, in what was then interpreted as a blatant act of rebellion. An awkward looking Karisma took centrestage at the tender age of 17 in D Rama Naidu's romance, 'Prem Qaidi' (1991), opposite Southern actor Harish.
A steady stream of flops followed its moderate success till finally, another Southern hit, 'Anari' (1993) bailed her out. After which started the beginning of her association with Govinda. Together with David Dhawan, they kicked up quite a row with the raunchy and highly controversial "Sarkailyo khatiyaa" number from 'Raja Babu' (1994), that fetched Karisma a loyal fan following amongst front benchers and earned her equal flak from critics.
But who cared for critical acclaim anyway? It was the box-office returns that mattered and that's exactly where this phenomenal team scored, once again with 'Coolie No. 1' (1995).
Around the same time, Lolo dropped the 'h' from Karishma and became Karisma Kapoor, apparently for numerological reasons. She also hired ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra to give herself a make over.
Whatever it was that clicked, transformed Karisma from being an 'also-ran' to a prime contender for Madhuri Dixit's crown. A fact affirmed by the mind-boggling success of her 'comeback' film, 'Raja Hindustani' (1996). Armed with an all-new wardrobe, brown contact lenses and refreshing make-up, Karisma looked a different person and oozed immense confidence on screen.
And then she displayed enough courage to actually take on the reigning queen by consenting to play the second lead in Yash Chopra's 'Dil To Pagal Hai', a role several other frontline heroines had politely rejected. Everyone believed this move was tantamount to professional hara-kiri, since Madhuri was still No.1 and, in any case, had the meatier part.
But, come Diwali 1997, Karisma was having the last laugh, when the film got a warm welcome at ticket windows and it was she and not Ms. Dixit who was being lauded for her performance.
Since then the Kapoor gal has only got better in every department. And has steadily pushed back the competition to earn the well-deserved top slot. For, Karisma has evolved into a polished actress, with films like 'Biwi No. 1', 'Haseena Maan Jayegi' (1999) and 'Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge' (2000).
So much so, not even rumours of her alleged fallout with long-time co-star Govinda could make a dent in her popularity ratings. Nor has the arrival of the Aishwarya Rais and Rani Mukherjees made any difference.
Today, Karisma is every filmmaker's delight, for her thorough professionalism and willingness to stretch herself to the limit. No wonder then that a Shyam Benegal has cast her in his 'Zubeida' and Khalid Mohammed has chosen her the heroine of his directorial debut, 'Fiza'.
On the personal front, there has been speculation about her relationship with Bachchan junior, but neither of them is prepared to talk about it. Rightly so. After all this is prime time for these star kids, with Abhishek about to make his debut and Karisma on top of the world…
Filmography
1. Zamaanat (2008) (post-production) .... Kajol
2. Mere Jeevan Saathi (2006) .... Natasha
3. Baaz: A Bird in Danger (2003) .... Neha Chopra
4. "Karishma: A Miracle of Destiny" (2003) (mini) TV mini-series
5. Rishtey (2002) .... Komal Singh
6. Shakthi: The Power (2002) .... Nandini
7. Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (2002) .... Pooja Kashyap
8. Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001) .... Nisha Thappar
9. Aashiq (2001) .... Pooja
10. Zubeidaa (2001) .... Zubeidaa
11. Shikari (2000) .... Rajeshwari Rawal
12. Fiza (2000) .... Fiza
13. Hum To Mohabbat Karega (2000) .... Geeta Kapoor
14. Chal Mere Bhai (2000) .... Sapna Mehra
15. Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) (as Karishma Kapoor) .... Sapna
16. Jaanwar (1999) .... Sapna
17. Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999) .... Ritu Verma
18. Biwi No. 1 (1999) .... Pooja Mehra
19. Silsila Hai Pyar Ka (1999) .... Vanshikha Mathur
20. Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United (1999) .... Sapna
21. Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) .... Nisha
22. Lahoo Ke Do Rang (1997) .... Hina
23. Hero No. 1 (1997) .... Meena Nath
24. Judwaa (1997) .... Mala
25. Mrityudaata (1997) .... Renuka Jain
26. Ajay (1996) .... Manorama 'Rama'
27. Raja Hindustani (1996) .... Aarti Sehgal
28. Sapoot (1996) .... Pooja
29. Bal Bramhachari (1996) .... Asha Rana
30. Jeet (1996) (as Karishma Kapoor) .... Kajal S. Sharma
31. Krishna (1996) .... Rashmi
32. Megha (1996) (as Karishma Kapoor) .... Megha
33. Papi Gudia (1996) .... Karisma
34. Rakshak (1996) .... Suman Sinha
35. Saajan Chale Sasural (1996) .... Pooja
36. Coolie No. 1 (1995) .... Malti
37. Maidan-E-Jung (1995) .... Tulsi
38. Jawab (1995)
39. Suhaag (1994) (as Karishma Kapoor) .... Pooja
40. Yeh Dillagi (1994) (uncredited) .... Girl on the road
41. Andaz Apna Apna (1994) (as Karisma Kapooor) .... Karisma
42. Prem Shakti (1994) .... Gouri/Karisma
43. Dulaara (1994) .... Priya Chauhan
44. Raja Babu (1994) (as Karishma Kapoor) .... Madhubala
45. Aatish: Feel the Fire (1994) (as Karishma Kapoor) .... Pooja
46. Andaz (1994) (as Karishma Kapoor) .... Jaya
47. Gopi Kishan (1994) .... Barkha
48. Khuddar (1994) .... Pooja
49. Dhanwaan (1993) (as Karishma Kapoor) .... Anjali Chopra "Anju"
50. Shaktiman (1993) .... Priya
51. Anari (1993) .... Rajnandini
52. Muqabla (1993) .... Karisma
53. Jaagruti (1993) .... Shalu
54. Sangram (1993) .... Madhu S. Singh
55. Deedar (1992) .... Sapna A. Saxena
56. Nishchaiy (1992) (as Karishma Kapoor) .... Payal Singh
57. Police Officer (1992) .... Bijali
58. Jigar (1992) .... Suman
59. Sapne Sajan Ke (1992) .... Jyoti
60. Prem Qaidi (1991) .... Neelima