Karisma Kapoor is known for a lot of things but for the most part, she has been in our collective consciousness as the leading lady in some of the funniest Bollywood films. Often playing the rich girl, heiress or the scorned woman, the actress' name itself sparks an instant recall of comedies. More importantly, it reminds fans of the '90s and early ‘00s and the very specific flavour of films that arrived in the decade. Her filmography is full of box office hits or the occasional misfires that ended up garnering appreciation years later in retrospect. Either way, there's no denying her notable influence on the Hindi film industry. On her birthday today, we're looking at some of the iconic comedies featuring the actress.
Any list of comedy films from the ‘90s and early ‘00s is populated by titles that featured Karisma Kapoor. And it was a great decade for the genre, the kind that makes Bollywood buffs reminisce the good old days. These films were lighthearted entertainers where small slip-ups were enough to unleash a series of hilarious happenings. Of course, not all of these stories were meant to be taken seriously but some of these have found their way on comfort watchlists for when one feels nostalgic. This watchlist regardless of your preferences would inevitably be marked by the presence of Karisma.
Here Are The Top 5 Films That Prove Karisma Kapoor Ruled The Cult Comedy Scene Way Before It Was Cool:
1. Hero No. 1
When Hero No. 1 was released in 1997, it came with all the makings of a masala entertainer. While the plot liberally borrows from other comedies including the 1972 film Bawarchi and a Mr. Bean sequence, the film is etched in audiences’ memories as an iconic moment in cinema. The romantic comedy follows a rich man who tries to prove his love to the family of the woman he wants to marry – a familiar endeavor seen in many romances. But the film turns the whole trope on its head with every effort leading to hilarious outcomes. It features the no-fail on-screen pairing of Karisma Kapoor and Govinda. While Govinda is known as a comedy star, it's safe to say that Karisma was his equal match. In fact, it can be said that she was his stylish counterpart. From their first meeting where they haggle for a taxi to multiple run-ins, Karisma never misses a beat. The film was a laugh riot and it remains unparalleled even after 25 years of its release. And it isn’t the first or the last “No.1” film from director David Dhawan.
2. Biwi No. 1
Added to the list of Karisma Kapoor films that were well-received by the audience was the 1999 film Biwi No. 1. The title which also featured an ensemble cast including Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen, Anil Kapoor and Tabu was another David Dhawan directorial that was lapped up by audiences. The film sees Karisma Kapoor play Pooja, a traditional married woman. Pooja finds out that her husband Prem (Salman Khan) is cheating on her with Rupali (Sushmita Sen), a model. After Prem decides to leave her for Rupali, Pooja goes through a dramatic transformation in hopes to win him back. Karisma Kapoor goes through a familiar arc from many romantic comedies, the one where a plain Jane turns into a diva to win over her man. As Pooja, the actress did it all and looked stunning while doing it.
3. Andaz Apna Apna
Andaz Apna Apna is one of the most quotable Bollywood comedies and perhaps the most fun films out there. It was released in theatres in 1994 and still remains the ultimate example of a film that didn't do all that well at the box office only to earn a cult status years after its release. So of course, like any funny movie from the decade, Karisma was in it. Revolving around Amar and Prem, two men who try to win over a millionaire's daughter, the plot plays out multiple hilarious twists and turns. Karisma Kapoor plays Raveena, the aforementioned millionaire's daughter who swaps identities with Karishma (Raveena Tandon), an accountant's daughter in an effort to find true love and a man who doesn't want her solely for her family’s wealth. Karishma Kapoor has amazing comic timing in Andaz Apna Apna as the film gives her ample scope to play around with slapstick comedy and thrive in the chaos that ensues through its runtime. This has to be Karisma's most important role as a comedy star.
4. Coolie No. 1
In another Karisma-Govinda pairing, the actress plays yet another rich woman. The 1995 film Coolie No. 1, directed by David Dhawan, begins with a vengeful matchmaker who decides to teach the wealthy Hoshiarchand Choudhary (Kader Khan) a lesson. He does this by asking Raju (Govinda) to pretend to be a rich businessman and a prospective match for Hoshiarchand's daughter Malti (Karisma Kapoor). Yes, it's petty on multiple levels and it leads to one lie after another and Raju tries to keep up the facade. Karisma plays Malti effortlessly. She pulls off the fine balance of portraying her money-mindedness and her innocence as she’s oblivious to the scheme at play. Like most films featuring the stars, this one also had many hit songs including the iconic Hsn Hai Suhana and Main Toh Raste Se Jaa Raha Tha. When the film was adapted for a 2020 remake, it had fans missing Karisma Kapoor from the original. It was just that good and further proof that the actress is irreplaceable.
5. Judwaa
Karisma can shine opposite any Bollywood star. While casting her in films with Govinda became a no-fail formula of sorts, one of her most memorable pairings was with Salman Khan. In the 1997 film Judwaa, twin brothers Raja and Prem (both played by Salman Khan) are reunited years after they were separated at birth. Karisma Kapoor plays Mala, a woman who is in love with Raja. The actress had the unique opportunity to play off Salman who essayed a double role in the film. While the film was the actor’s show through and through, Karisma held her own and of course, she did a marvellous job. She was just as captivating and showcased her comedic range.
While Karisma Kapoor's filmography has a majority of comedies, her long list of credits also includes films from other genres. Some of her best work happened in the latter half of the 90s. Between the crime drama film Fiza in which she played the titular role of a brave sister who journeys to bring her brother back home and Raja Hindustani where she plays an heiress who falls for a taxi driver, she has explored every facet of acting available in the Bollywood industry. Since her debut at the age of 16, she has been unstoppable. And when we say it has been a journey, we mean that she has featured in over 70 films. Of late, the actress has been making a few special appearances in films but with a career this iconic, she hardly needs a big-screen comeback.
Karisma Kapoor celebrates her birthday on June 25. Here’s wishing the actress a very happy birthday and a great many years ahead.
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