Karisma Kapoor didn’t get support because people said ‘light-eyed actresses can’t become stars’: Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor Khan lauded Karisma Kapoor's dedication and revealed that not a lot of people didn't support her initially.

Kareena Kapoor Khan was all praise for sister Karisma Kapoor.

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Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, who made her debut opposite Abhishek Bachchan in Refugee, has opened up about how her sister Karisma Kapoor paved the way for her in the industry. Kareena said that even though people had doubts about Karisma, she pushed herself and became a darling of the ’90s.

At the Express Adda in Mumbai, Kareena said, “I think it was a lot easier for me because people started recognising me as Karisma’s younger sister. I think hanging around on shoots, things started opening up at the time of 1998 or 1999 where everyone was like ‘Karisma’s sister is getting launched.’”

The actor opened up about how Karisma had to endure strange comments from people, including remarks like “light-eyed actresses won’t become stars.” Kareena said, “She kind of sowed the seeds and I reaped a lot from it. A lot of exposure happened being with her on sets. I have to give her so much credit. A lot of people initially never really supported her because a lot of people said light eyed actresses can never become big stars, so ‘don’t’ cast her.’ Also she had the taboo of the Kapoor family.”

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The actor concluded, “But she was kind of groundbreaking in so many ways that she just pushed herself, her dedication and hard work through all her films and she became the darling of the 90s. Her fans gave me a lot of love. She did a lot of commercial work and I chose an alternate path in Refugee. She was giving blockbusters. We kind of had different paths.”

Karisma made her acting debut in 1991 at the age of seventeen with the film Prem Qaidi. She was a part of big projects like Jigar, Raja Babu, Andaz, Raja Hindustani, Coolie No. 1, and Hero No. 1. The actor took a break from showbiz after the 2003 TV show Karishma: The Miracles of Destiny. She made her comeback in 2012 with Dangerous Ishhq but has been very selective about her roles in recent years.

On the work front, Kareena will next be seen in Jaane Jaan, which also marks her digital debut.

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