Karisma Kapoor is an Indian actress widely known for her work in Hindi films. She made her acting debut in 1991 at the age of seventeen in the romance Prem Qaidi, which was a box office hit. She then appeared in successful ventures, drama Sapne Sajan Ke (1992), and action drama Jigar (1992). She had her first commercial success in a leading role in romantic action drama Anari (1993), which was a moderate success and was one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 1993. Between 19931996 she featured in several highly successful films, including the comedy drama Raja Babu (1994), action drama Suhaag (1994), action comedy Andaz (1994), the comedies Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), and Hero No. 1 (1997), and the action thriller Jeet (1996). The success of these films marked a turning point in her career, and established Kapoor as one of the leading actresses in Hindi cinema.
Kapoor's career prospects improved in 1996 when Dharmesh Darshan cast her in his romantic drama Raja Hindustani. With worldwide earnings of , it emerged as the highest-grossing film of the year and the fourth highest-grossing film in India of the 1990s. The film earned her praise from critics, and Kapoor won her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. The following year, she received widespread recognition as well as the National Film Award and Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for portraying a headstrong dancer in Dil To Pagal Hai, a musical romantic drama produced by Yash Raj Films. Subsequently, she played leading roles in several blockbuster films, including the comedies Biwi No.1 (1999), the ensemble family drama Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999), and the romantic comedy Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000). Her acclaimed performance of a disillusioned sister of Hrithik Roshan's character in the crime drama Fiza (2000) which earned her a second Best Actress award at Filmfare. The following year, she portrayed actress Zubeida Begum in the biographical drama Zubeidaa (2001), won her a Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics). In 2002, she portrayed a troubled daughter-in-law in the revenge-seeking war drama Shakti: The Power.
In 2003, Kapoor married businessman Sanjay Kapur and took a sabbatical from the films. However, she appeared in Sahara One's television series Karishma – The Miracles of Destiny (2003–2004) and judged various reality shows, including the celebrity dance show Nach Baliye (2008–2009), during this time. In 2011, she provided her voice for the role of Chhaya in the action thriller Bodyguard, which broke many records upon its release. It became the highest opening day grosser, collecting in its first week, thus becoming the highest opening week grossing. She made her acting comeback to films with the period drama Dangerous Ishhq (2012) in which she played four different characters, belonging to four different past lives. It proved to be a commercial failure yet earned Kapoor appreciation for her performance. After the release of Dangerous Ishhq, she again took a sabbatical from films. In 2020, she played a mother in the streaming television series Mentalhood.
Films
+ Year Film Role(s) Notes 1991Prem Qaidi Neelima 1992 Police Officer Bijali Jaagruti Shalu Nishchaiy Payal Sapne Sajan Ke Jyoti Deedar Jigar Suman 1993 Anari Rajnandini Muqabla Karishma Sangraam Madhu Shaktiman Priya Dhanwaan 1994 Prem Shakti Gouri and Karisma Raja Babu MadhooDulaara Priya Khuddar Pooja Andaz Jaya Andaz Apna Apna Karishma (Raveena) Yeh Dillagi Anjali Cameo appearance Aatish Pooja Suhaag Pooja Gopi Kishan Barkha 1995 Jawab SumanMaidan-E-Jung TulsiCoolie No.1 Malti 1996 Papi Gudia Karisma Megha Megha Saajan Chale Sasural Pooja Krishna Rashmi Jeet Bal BramhachariAsha Sapoot Pooja Raja Hindustani Rakshak Ajay Manorama 1997 Judwaa Hero No. 1 Lahu Ke Do Rang Heena Mrityudaata Reenu Dil To Pagal Hai Nisha 1999 Silsila Hai Pyar Ka Biwi No.1 Haseena Maan Jaayegi Hum Saath-Saath Hain Jaanwar Sapna 2000 Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge Sapna Chal Mere Bhai Sapna Hum To Mohabbat Karega Fiza Shikari 2001 Zubeidaa Zubeidaa Aashiq Pooja Ek Rishtaa 2002 Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya Shakti: The Power Nandini Rishtey Komal2003 Baaz 2006 Mere Jeevan Saathi 2007 Om Shanti Om Herself Special appearance in song "Deewangi Deewangi" 2011 Bodyguard Chhaya Voice only2012 Dangerous Ishhq Sanjana , Geeta , Salma and Paro 2013 Bombay Talkies Herself Special appearance in song "Apna Bombay Talkies" 2018 Zero Herself Cameo appearance 2024 Murder Mubarak Shehnaz Noorani
Television YearTitleRoleNotes 2003–2004 Karishma – The Miracles of Destiny Devyani and Avni 2008Aaja Mahi Vay Judge 2008–2009Nach Baliye 4 2009Hans Baliye 2013Indian Princess 2019Dance India Dance 7 Guest Judge 2021Indian Idol 12 Herself Guest appearance Super Dancer: Chapter 4 Guest Judge 2024India's Best Dancer 4 Judge
Web series YearTitleRoleNotes 2020Mentalhood Meira Sharma 2026Brown Rita Brown
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