Kshama Rao

Smashing. She's simply smashing. Dressed in an off-white, sequinned ensemble, hair just shy of her shoulders, Karisma Kapoor is living it up on the sets of Suneel Darshan's Mere Jeevan Saathi.

She has just wrapped up Boney Kapoor's inspired version of Not Without My Daughter. And Dharmesh Darshan's Haan... Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya is scheduled to release in Friday, February 15. Quite apt for the film's leading pair (Karisma and Abhishek Bachchan), even as their names are being linked together as 'the' couple.

Holding sheets of dialogues, Karisma runs off to her makeup van when she is not required for a shot. She even mentions rehearsals for her climax shots.

Professionalism seems to have crept into the Hindi film industry. Not that the word is new in her dictionary. Industry insiders, her producers, directors, colleagues, even members of the fourth estate vouch that she is as professional as they come. Meticulous, organised, hardworking, fashion savvy and polite are some of her other virtues.

After more than a decade in the Hindi film industry, Karisma makes for a perfect storybook tale --- from a gawky teenager [remember her twain-shall-meet eyebrows in her debut film Prem Qaidi?] to a stunner who can do a jig for the masses and a classy act for the critics with equal elan.

Her second name did cause ripples when she started. But the journey thereafter has been Karisma's own. No mentor, no controversies [barring the song and dance on Sarkailo khatiya]. Little wonder that she finds herself talking to filmmakers of all genres today.

Shyam Benegal reportedly wanted her to work in two of his films. Madhur Bhandarkar, E Niwas and Dr Jagmohan Mundhra want her to be part of their projects. Even as younger sister Kareena Kapoor does her preen and pout act, she can hardly hope to dethrone Karisma. Not for now, at least.

For now, here's Karisma, extempore:

On what she's offering to her fans in Haan... Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya

It is a simple, sensitive story --- no melodrama, no fisticuffs. A role which everybody can identify with. Especially the girl of 2002.

She is tougher than the girl of Raja Hindustani. Though in it, too, Dharmesh gave me a role which had everything --- glamour and scope to perform. In HMBPK, my character speaks with her eyes, not words. I would call it a mature role.

On how this mature role is different vis-a-vis her characters in Fiza and Zubeidaa

If Fiza had me playing this vulnerable, yet strong girl, in Zubeidaa, I was this hyper, confused, sometimes strong girl who transforms into a woman.

In HMBPK, I am clear and sharp about what I want. Roles like Zubeidaa and Fiza have taken their toll on me. Nevertheless, they satisfy me as an actress.

The film has a Valentine's Day release. I am not very romantic --- no mush for me. But I am a very passionate person. Maybe I am not into romance because when I should have been reading Mills & Boon, I was slogging in the studios, reading my lines. Maybe I missed out on all that [romance].

On Abhishek Bachchan

Akshay [Kumar], Abhishek and I had a great time shooting for HMBPK. It is an interesting casting. Abhishek is easy to work with and I think he will be noticed with this film.

On her choice of films then and now

I think when you are young and new, you want to do everything. You don't want to let go of anything. Even so I have absolutely no problems about the films I did. Each film has been special to me. I have given something to each film of mine, so it is not fair to dissociate from them. I think all actresses go through that routine.

I remember Sridevi in Mr India and Madhuri Dixit in Beta. People felt the films should have been called Miss India and Beti respectively because the actresses had given good performances. And I had thought to myself, "When will I play such roles?"

Then Raja Hindustani came along and people said it should have been called Rani Hindustani. That is when I realised I had made it. Today, I can choose what I like.

On her physical transformation

People talk about how I have transformed over the years... But isn't it natural? I have grown in the film industry from a teenager to a young lady. It's natural that I would change the way I look, the way I dress... It's not just me. If you look at other actresses, you will see the change in them, too.

On Kareena Kapoor

I am happy for her success. Every day, we turn down scores of offers from filmmakers who want to cast us together. We just want to wait for the right script. We can't agree to a 'proposal' or 'project' just for the sake of doing it. I am sure something worthwhile will come along.

On marriage

The press guys keep marrying me off. Though why I would want to marry now, when so many good things are happening to my career beats me. I would certainly not hide something like marriage from anyone. It will happen when it has to. Everyone will know about it when it happens.

India News Feature Service

Design: Uday Kuckian

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