AGE, TO ME, IS A NONISSUE: KARISMA

Actor Karisma Kapoor says that today there are great roles for all

Even though she comes from a renowned family of actors such as Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor, actor Karisma Kapoor says that the journey of making her mark in the Hindi film industry has not been a child’s play.

“I believe that my family has been the most formidable film dynasty that the Indian cinema has seen. My journey of carving a niche for myself in this industry hasn’t been the easiest. While the longstanding legacy of my family did inspire me to be a part of this industry, I’ve had to work very hard for that recognition,” she says.

Did she feel the pressure of making a strong impact with her performances on screen? “With generations behind you, it does take a whole lot of skill and talent to be the best version of yourself. I feel fortunate enough to be part of some the best films,” says the actor.

With a career spanning over two decades, Karisma, has managed to work with some of the finest filmmakers including Shyam Benegal, Kundan Shah and David Dhawan. The actor feels that she has been fortunate to have had the chance to work with such directors.

“It was an honour to work so closely with the finest talent in our country. I have never really used any strategy; I have always relied on my own instinct. All of the opportunities that came my way — of working with such wonderful filmmakers — were rather organic. I fell in love with their stories and I am so glad that I got to be a part of them,” she says.

The 44-year-old actor, who has worked in films such as Zubeidaa (2001), Raja Hindustani (1996), Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997) and Fiza (2000), says that she is happy to see how her grit, determination and hard work over all those years has paid off.

“I am in a very secure space and feel that whatever I had set in my mind, has been achieved. I am sure everybody dreams of reaching a certain height and I am very thankful about how things are continuing to shape up for me.

I am very grateful to my audience and fans for showing me so much love all these years,” says Karisma, who is a mother to two — a 13-year-old daughter and eightyear-old son.

Does she feels that the age of a female actor proves to be detrimental in Bollywood? “I don’t regard age as a parameter for one’s success. There has been a shift in the mindset of the audiences as well. Age to me has and always will be a non-issue. Today, there are some great roles out there for everybody and gone are the days when an actor’s success was equated to how old he or she was.”

Karisma Kapoor says that she has achieved whatever she had set out to do