After judging couples for their dancing skills, Karisma Kapoor is back as a judge on Star One's Hans Baliye. But this time Lolo is giving real life celeb couples points for their comic timing. Giving her company is her hit director of the 90s, David Dhawan. Dressed in fitted black jeans and a shirt, Karisma was at her relaxed best.
Despite facing an army of lensmen and electronic journalists, Karisma diplomatically handled the media, making sure everyone got their share of news without a commotion. She might be absent from the silver screen, but Karisma hasn't lost any of her star powered-magnetism and grace.
Revealing her fitness secret, Lolo - the doting mother said, "Running behind my daughter keeps me fit and healthy."
On delaying her Bollywood comeback and the newfound love for TV she said, "I love reality television because nothing is scripted. This show is truly a first of its kind because couples have never come together for stand up comedy on TV."
However she said she was not stressed about making a Bollywood comeback and was enjoying the space she was in. At the same time she did hint at working on something with David Dhawan. "Our team is one of the most stable and successful collaborations ever in Bollywood."
As a judge she said she would be on the look out for crackling timing between the participants. But Karisma also promised to be less lenient than she was on Nach Baliye. As for her famous three claps – "I have something else in mind, keep watching."
On the concept of couples doing comedy Karisma said, "Marriage is also like comedy. There is more humour with your life partner after marriage. Sanjay and I have funny fights over the smallest of things."
With her ravishing looks and perfect 10 figure, it’s not surprising that the young lady is getting so many compliments and film offers. Ask her why did she refuse Rahul Dholakia’s film Lamha, which was later bagged by Bipasha, and Karisma says, “A lot of details were not ready. And when I do a project, I would like to be very sure about my role, the script and its nitty-gritty. Yes, I am getting a lot of offers, but I will accept a project only if it appeals to my heart. So, it can happen anytime!”
There’s a trace of regret in her voice the moment you ask her how she plans to celebrate her sister Kareena’s birthday, which falls today. The big sister confides, “We always make it a point to be with each other on birthdays. But, this time we will not be together because Kareena is shooting in Ladakh with Aamir Khan for her film 3 Idiots. Nevertheless, Bebo will be in my thoughts 24x7 on her birthday.”
Karisma gets perturbed the moment you ask her about the media reports of her shifting back to Delhi permanently and the trouble in her paradise. The lady says with great dignity, “I will just say this much that all these reports are completely false! It’s irresponsible reporting!”And it may be sooner than you imagine. Bollywood has decided that enough is enough; it now wants the gorgeous actress back. Karisma hasn’t as yet signed a “comeback” film.
But she’s seeing scripts, looking for a role that will justify her leaving home, family and daughter and stepping back into the limelight. These are her words, not mine. She doesn’t get the “comeback” bit, however. “Don’t women in other professions take maternity leave,” she asked me with spirit, “do secretaries make comebacks? Does anybody in Hollywood ask Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep who make one film in five years whether they are coming back?”
I got her point. We were talking over coffee at a suburban club. She jets between Delhi and Mumbai like, well, secretaries commute between Virar and Churchgate.
Her in-laws have houses in both cities. “It’s nice for me,” smiled Karisma, “I enjoy the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and the calm and lovely winters of Delhi.” Mumbai hasn’t seen her since Shakti in 2002, but at 34, she could still stop the traffic. Neither the demands of marriage nor the tugs of motherhood have so much as dented her stunning good looks. Delhi designer Manav Gangwani got her to walk the ramp for him at the India Couture Week recently. And Karisma had the audience drooling. But how long will she be happy doing only fashion shows, brand endorsements, and remaining connected to Bollywood through her younger sister?
I asked if she would consider a film with Kareena. “I’ve been offered umpteen number of films,” she admitted, “but it’s a big deal for us to co-star and we don’t want to do just any film, this would have to be the ultimate.”
And what about cousin Ranbir? “Not a romantic role opposite him,” Karisma said horrified, “but a character role, why not?” She thinks Ranbir has all the makings of a star in his blood. And Kareena? “What can I say? She’s fantastic! Actresses aren’t made like her. But I think her best is yet to come. I liked her in Yuva and Chameli. In Jab We Met, she made me cry. Who’s the better actress, she or me? We’re different, but she is — by far! I had to work a lot but Kareena’s a natural.”
Maybe they are different as actresses, but how about as persons, as Kapoor girls with individual takes on men, love and marriage? Could she, like Kareena, have had a relationship with a co-star like Saif Ali Khan when at the top of her career?
“Probably not,” replied Karisma reluctantly, “I’m old fashioned. Kareena shocks me. But that’s the thing you love about her.” As the elder sister, did she approve of Kareena seeing Saif given his reputation of failed relationships? There was no hesitation in Karisma’s answer, “After all my experiences, I’ve learned not to judge anybody. You don’t know what’s going on in their home and life. Bebo is important to me, she’s a sensible girl, what makes her happy — makes me happy, the family will stand by whatever decision she takes.”
What about Saif, did she know him? “Of course,” the brown eyes danced with amusement, “we did Sooraj Barjatya’s hit film Hum Saath Saath Hain in, I think, 2000. As a co-star, he’s chilled out, fun-loving. To have as a brother-in-law? Hmmm... Saif’s a wonderful person, sweet, and he treats me like the elder sister though he is older than me!” She’s had the pick of Bollywood’s male hunks as co-stars, everybody from Aamir to Akshay and Shah Rukh to Salman, but Karisma rates no actor as her favourite leading man. “The script has always been of utmost importance to me, and my role, but I’ve been lucky to have had good relations with all my co-stars,” she said diplomatically. “All my co-stars are now Kareena’s. They must have a sense of deja vu, they’ve seen her on my sets, and now they’re working with her.”
I wanted to know about her marriage to Delhi businessman and polo player Sanjay Kapoor, a ticklish subject. “Getting married, becoming a mother, is something an actress cannot imagine until she goes through it in real life... that’s because we do it so many times in films. We think life’s a film scene. But in real life, it’s a beautiful experience in a different way. It’s challenging to grow into a woman. The fun of being married is the blending of two personalities,” she began. But what about the rumours, I asked.
