3 min readMay 7, 2000 12:00 AM IST
First published on: May 7, 2000 at 12:00 AM IST
The scion of the celebrated Kapoor family, playing the role of a timid girlunder the control of three uncles in the latest David Dhawan comedy,Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, with co-star Salman Khan, is expected tofurther consolidate her position in Bollywood with the film.
Karisma’s face lights up as she reminisces about her latest comedy with oneof her favourite directors. Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge is a typical DavidDhawan entertainer, said Karisma in Udaipur, where she was shooting forjournalist-turned-director Khalid Mohammed’s Fizaa. About her rapport with Dhawan, who featured her in his 1999 blockbuster, Biwi No. 1,and the highly successful Haseena Maan Jayegi, Karisma said, quot;Thebond between David and me is very strong. We’ve both grown during the filmswe’ve done together right from Raja Babu.quot;
Referring to the rumours that she had decided not to do any more films withher one-time favourite co-star, Govinda, Karisma reverted back, quot;I think anon-issue has been blown out of all proportion. I felt we shouldn’t give theaudience an overdose of our pair just because they liked watching us. Ididn’t want the audience to be fed up of the Govinda-Karisma pair. I haveseen this happening with a lot of successful star pairs in the past. quot;
A month after Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, Karisma will be back in anotherDavid Dhawan comedy, Chal Mere Bhai, with Salman Khan as her co-staragain. Clever and thoroughly professional, Karisma is a completelyself-made heroine. Though she had the mighty Raj Kapoor production housebehind her, she made her debut in a south Indian film, Prem Qaidi, whichhowever proved to be a mild box office hit. Today, when she looks back,Karisma feels the low-key launch was for the best. quot;I have gained so muchexperience over the years and had a chance to learn from my mistakes,quot; shequipped.
Critics agree that the two films that changed Karisma’s career wereDharmesh Darshan’s Raja Hindustani and Yash Chopra’s Dil To PagalHai. Karisma, however, is not ready to give the full credit to directorDharmesh Darshan for bringing out of her the performance in the film,Raja Hindustani.
She argues that she had the talent to give that performance. But for DilTo Pagal Hai, Karisma holds the experience very close to her heart.quot;When I heard the story, I knew the character of Nisha was me. I had to dothe film. Today if I am offered Dil To Pagal Hai all over again, I’llgrab it readily,quot; she said.
Even as she continues to further her image as a glamorous heroine, Karismais all set to add substance to her repertoire with two serious dramaticroles, in Shyam Benegal’s Zubeida and Fizaa. quot;I feel I’m being offered thebest roles and opportunities with films like Zubeida and Fizaa.I never dreamt that one day I’d do a movie with Shyam Benegal. I’ve beentruly fortunate,quot; she said.
Karisma’s sister, Kareena, is also about to make her debut in J P Dutta’sRefugee. Does Karisma advise her sister on how to go about her career?quot;Actually, she gives me advice. She takes her own career decisions and Ithink that’s only fair. I think she should do what she thinks is right,quot;replied Karisma.
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