Showing posts with label Karisma Kapoor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karisma Kapoor. Show all posts
I have expenses and I need the money-Rahul Roy
4:46 PM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; September 7, 2026)
For Rahul Roy, the spotlight is back, but not quite in the way he would have imagined. The ’90s hero, best known for the film Aashiqui, was in the news recently over a series of Instagram reels in which he was seen dancing at a wedding and performing to his old songs with a content creator. Netizens speculated that his financial circumstances had prompted him to take part in the reels.
In a chat with us, the actor spoke about the financial realities that led him to take up the work, rebuilding his career after a brain stroke and the challenges of starting over at 60.
‘I am 60 and trying to set up my empire’
The actor, who has been part of films such as Junoon and Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayee, is now focused on rebuilding his career and life. He also has a legal case that he has been fighting for the past few years. “There is a court case that I want to settle. It’s a Rs. 30 lakh matter, and my brother and I are working on it.”
Rahul, who was married to model Rajlaxmi Khanvilkar from 2000 to 2014, adds, “Some years ago, I went through a divorce and transferred some of my assets to my wife’s name. So now I am trying to build everything from scratch. I am 60 and trying to set up my empire.”
‘I am really thankful to the people who are trusting me’
Rahul says that he has no plans to retire. “The last five years have almost been like a break because I was recuperating. There was no work. If that wouldn’t have happened, I would have done much more. But now, I am getting some work and want to do a lot more,” he shares.
The actor, who was recently part of the micro-drama Super Badshah, adds, “I was happy to be back on the set and face the camera. I am really thankful to the people who are trusting me. In my 37-year journey in films, I believe I have done some good work, and now I am looking forward to doing more.”
‘I have expenses and I need the money’
Rahul is candid about why he took up the work. “I have expenses and I need the money. Getting work after my brain stroke in 2020 was difficult. It’s been five years since then, and I was doing whatever I could to keep things going. Sometimes, I earn Rs. 2 lakh or Rs. 4 lakh by dancing at weddings. People who troll me don’t know that this is hard work. I have to earn my bread and butter too,” he says.
‘People in the industry have always been supportive’
Despite the criticism from netizens that has come his way, Rahul says that people from the industry have always stood by him. “People have been supportive, be it Karisma Kapoor, Raveena Tandon or Pooja Bhatt. I am in touch with my Aashiqui co-stars Anu Aggarwal, Deepak Tijori and Avatar Gill, and even Mahesh Bhatt. Deepak is doing well, and hopefully, we will reunite for work,” he says.
Rahul also counts Salman Khan among those who stood by him during his difficult phase. Salman had helped him with his medical expenses during his brain stroke recovery, while more recently Farah Khan and Archana Puran Singh came out in support of him after he spoke about the financial compulsions that led him to feature in the viral reels.
For a movie star, OTT requires a shift in gear-Karisma Kapoor
10:55 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; August 31, 2026)
From a teenage actor finding her way on film sets to an established performer, Karisma Kapoor says her career has been one of constant evolution. In a conversation with Bombay Times, she reflects on growing up in the industry, adapting to new mediums and the role of dance in her life.
‘Being an actor means evolving every day’
After being in the industry for over three decades, Karisma believes an actor’s learning never really stops. “Being an actor means evolving every day. I have not only grown with every film, but every single day. I like to learn and grasp things from various people and various sets. It’s that constant growth that makes you evolve.”
Having started working at a young age, Karisma says much of her growing up happened on sets. “I started very young, in fact, Prem Qaidi released four days before my 17th birthday. So, I’ve literally grown up in the industry. I’ve learned from my experiences, from all the ups and downs. And literally climbed the ladder one step at a time. When you look back and feel that you could have done things differently, it means you’ve grown as an actor.”
‘When you’re doing an episodic show, you need to be on the ball’
Karisma, who in recent times has been part of OTT shows like Mentalhood and Brown, feels each medium comes with its own demands. While she is grateful for the opportunities, she admits that the transition to OTT was challenging initially.
“OTT is very different from filmmaking. If you ask me, it’s pretty tough. Because when you’re doing an episodic show, you need to be on the ball. In one day, you may be shooting scenes from episode one or seven. So, the pace and the way it’s shot is different. For a movie star, OTT requires a shift in gear. Even television is a different ballgame.”
For Karisma, instinct has always mattered more than a carefully mapped-out career. “I’ve always been the kind of person who, if I want to do something, I do it, and if I don’t, I don’t. I’ve never really planned anything in my career. I think I’ve been lucky enough to have had some memorable films and played some amazing characters throughout my career,” says the Raja Hindustani actress.
‘Dance has been an integral part of our lives’
Currently, Karisma is seen judging India's Best Dancer on television. But long before dance became part of her professional identity, the actress says it was something she enjoyed at home. Her memories include dancing with her younger sister, Kareena Kapoor Khan, to songs from the films they watched as kids. “As a child, I was a huge fan of Sridevi. I remember Kareena and I used to dance for our parents to the song Tathaiya Tathaiya, Naino Mein Sapna. Dance has always been important to me.”
Karisma also learnt Kathak as a child and remembers Kareena watching her during her dance classes. “Whenever I practiced with my ghungroos, she loved watching me and listening to the beats. Dance has always been an integral part of our lives, with so many great dancers in the family, including Shammi uncle, Chintu uncle and Shashi uncle, who had their own distinctive styles.”
You could just see that Kareena Kapoor was going to be a superstar-Karisma Kapoor
10:55 AM
On India’s Best Dancer 5, Karisma Kapoor shares how she knew that her sister Kareena Kapoor Khan was destined for stardom
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 27, 2026)
Soon after Kareena Kapoor Khan made her acting debut with Refugee (2000), many were certain that she had the makings of a star. Something that her actor-sister Karisma Kapoor knew from their childhood. Karisma, who is among the judges on the fifth season of India's Best Dancer, opened up about Kareena while shooting the reality show’s upcoming episode.
Karisma shared, “It was always clear that she would become an actress and a big star. She had been dancing since childhood. I used to learn dance as well; she would come, sit and watch me. So, that passion was always there.”
Kareena’s desire of seeing herself on the big screen materialized with J P Dutta’s Refugee. Karisma revealed that she visited the set to see her sister’s first close-up shot.
“We went there while the shoot was underway. Kareena’s first close-up was when she lifted her burqa, and you could just see that she was going to be a superstar. The way her eyes express emotions is [unmatched].”
Neetu Kapoor is most fitness-conscious Kapoor, says Armaan Jain
9:58 AM
Armaan Jain; (right) Raj Kapoor with Prithviraj Kapoor. Pics/By Special Arrangement, Instagram, YouTube
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 31, 2026)
Some will tell you ghee makes all the difference in their dishes. Others swear by garlic. For Armaan Jain, the star ingredient of his recipes is something intangible — it’s a mindset. “Kanjoosi nahin karne ka. Even if you have Rs 5 in your pocket, feed people dishes worth Rs 10.”
That’s the culture Armaan, Rima Jain’s son and Raj Kapoor’s grandson, grew up imbibing. So, when he decided to turn his passion for feeding people into a business, this became the foundation for The Junglee Kitchen.
Kapoors and food is a love story as old as time. During the pandemic-induced lockdown, in the absence of cooks, Armaan thought of taking over the kitchen and experimenting with the recipes that he was raised with.
He told mid-day, “I didn’t ever imagine it becoming a business. [During the lockdown] I was missing some family recipes. So, I would keep calling up my cook who was on leave. Then, I innovated those recipes. When I fed my family, they liked them.”
That’s how The Junglee Kitchen was born. With the delivery kitchen that began operations out of his home in 2021, Armaan is serving the Kapoor khandaan’s favourite dishes, particularly his legendary grandfather’s, to the city.
The name isn’t exactly what you would associate with the Kapoor family. Is it an ode to his grand uncle, late Shammi Kapoor’s hit Junglee (1961)? Not really. The name, Armaan shared, has two personal meanings attached to it.
“The reason why I thought of the word ‘Junglee’ is because that’s my approach to cooking. I’m not a trained chef; just someone who has been exposed to food since he was five or six. Plus, our food is fiery and spicy,” he smiled, before adding, “One of our hero dishes is called Junglee Maas. It’s a dish the Kapoors have grown up devouring.”
Like Junglee Maas, each dish for Armaan is a walk down memory lane. One that evokes memories of the Kapoor family coming together, trading gossip, laughing, and bonding over food. While the entrepreneur, born in 1990, never got the opportunity to meet his grandfather, he vividly remembers the feast that his maternal grandmother, Krishna Raj Kapoor, would serve for the family. He is now serving that taste of his childhood — whether it’s the Junglee Maas that the Showman of Indian Cinema enjoyed or the dal makhani that his superstar-cousin Kareena Kapoor Khan swears by. The dishes start from Rs 250, going up to Rs 700.
“Whether it was a small get-together or big, Junglee Maas was always there. The table would always be full, with 20 dishes on it. The other fixture was dal. Then two-three sabzis and [multiple] non-veg dishes. I also have strong memories of Punjabi dahi pakoda kadhi,” recalled Armaan.
What is his favourite dish on the menu? “I am a Punjabi who loves comfort food. So, I like my dal makhani. We have always had a Punjabi smoked dal at home. I improvised into a nice slow-cooked dal makhani in the COVID-19 days.”
Going forward, The Junglee Kitchen will include ‘Desi Chinese’ in the menu. That’s almost expected, given how the Kapoor family members have often expressed their love for Chinese food. Armaan added, “I love my Chinese food. The dhaba Chinese — think Chicken lollipops, Chicken Manchurian, and Chilli chicken.”
While he expanded the delivery kitchen’s service to Bengaluru in 2025, the next goal is to make it a pan-India service. He wishes to incorporate flavours of India’s different regions while keeping his family’s recipes in focus. “I have currently four or five outlets. We’re looking to scale these up to about 100 outlets in the next two years, across five-six cities. I have always had people come over to our place to eat. There would be 50 people at a time at my grandmother’s place. So, I had the confidence that I could cook,” he smiled.
Quick Five with Armaan Jain
What was Raj Kapoor’s favourite dish?
Dal. It was a fixture in every meal
What do the Kapoors end their meal with?
Gulab jamun
Who is the most fitness-conscious Kapoor?
Neetu aunty
Who is the worst cook in the family?
All of them just eat; they don’t cook [laughs]
The Kapoor who won’t stop at one dessert?
Karisma Kapoor
I’m ready on one foot to go on floor immediately as soon as Aamir Khan calls me up for Delhi Belly 2-Abhinay Deo
10:26 AM
Komal RJ Panchal (MID-DAY; June 16, 2026)
If patience is an actor’s greatest virtue, it’s a filmmaker’s absolute superpower. No one knows this better than Abhinay Deo. After a grueling three-year wait to bring the Karisma Kapoor-led crime thriller Brown to screens, he’s finally soaking in the well-deserved applause.
But the universe wasn’t done with him yet. Out of nowhere, life threw in a plot twist: right alongside the Brown buzz, a wave of nostalgia has suddenly revived the love for his 2013 television series 24 — the iconic Indian adaptation of Kiefer Sutherland’s real-time American thriller.
Deo calls it a “sweet coincidence” that the Anil Kapoor-led thriller landed on streaming platforms barely two weeks before Brown premièred on Zee5. “It’s heartening and encouraging [to see] that even after 13 years, 24 is still one of the top 10 shows [on Jio+Hotstar]. I’m getting so many phone calls from people saying they had missed it then and are discovering it now,” he smiles.
But Deo wasn’t one to rest on nostalgia. Even as 24 enjoyed a second innings, he was busy scripting the next leg for Brown.
He gambled by presenting Kapoor without make-up in a striking de-glam avatar, and it paid off. The filmmaker says he saw the role as an opportunity for the actor to reinvent herself. “I told her that if people see her in the same way they did 30 years back, they will be happy. But this was her second chance to do something that probably no one ever expected. She said, ‘I love it. I’m all game. Let’s do this’.” So, Kapoor didn’t any touch ups between shots.
Now, discussions are already underway about future instalments. “We are talking about season three of 24 and season two of Brown,” Deo reveals, while cautioning that nothing is official yet. For now, the filmmaker plans a brief pause before diving back into development. “The ideas never stop. Taking a break is important to streamline those thoughts,” he says.
On ‘Delhi Belly’ completing 15 years
The Imran Khan, Vir Das, and Kunaal Roy Kapur-starrer will celebrate its 15th anniversary on July 1. While Deo is eager to return with a sequel, he says the decision lies with producer Aamir Khan. Deo says, “I’m ready on one foot to go on the floor immediately as soon as Aamir calls me up for ‘Delhi Belly 2’.
I wish there were more romcoms made today-Karisma Kapoor
9:59 AM
Actor Karisma Kapoor, who plays a cop in her latest web series, speaks about sharing screen with Helen, but missing Bollywood’s light-hearted, slice of life entertainers
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 7, 2026)
Actor Karisma Kapoor is back to leading a project after a long gap, playing cop Rita Brown in her new web series Brown. For the 51-year-old, taking charge of a project still brings excitement.
“For every actor, whether you are leading a show or have two scenes, you treat it like a child, your baby. There’s more excitement than nervousness or jitters. We have to try to put our best foot forward, and then it’s up to the audience,” she tells us.
In the show, Kapoor plays a uniformed officer whose personal and professional worlds are in conflict. “Rita Brown is so different in her personal space, and coming into her professional space, it becomes entirely different because she’s someone who has left the force and doesn’t want to continue but she’s brought back into this case,” she shares, adding, “She’s constantly trying to get a grip on everything.”
While Brown marks her entry into an intense drama space, Kapoor says she misses the light-hearted films Bollywood was once known for. “That time, the audience used to go into the cinema to forget everything that was going on in their daily lives, and just come there and laugh with their families, with pure entertainment. That era was an amazing time, and I wish more films like that were made today. I wish there were more romcoms made today,” she says.
The series also brings veteran actor Helen back to screen after over a decade. Kapoor says working with her felt familiar. “Helen aunty is someone whom I have known personally as well, and she has worked with my mum too… she’s like a grandmom. There’s a family connect and she has seen me grow up,” she says.
I told Zee team, ‘Going to Kolkata for 50 days is out of the question!’-Karisma Kapoor
8:53 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; June 2, 2026)
Picture this: Karisma Kapoor was shooting for a brand commercial four years ago, when the makers of Brown approached her to front the series. The actor’s first reaction? A hard no. Kapoor recalled, “I vehemently said no to Brown. I’m not in the rat race; I’m in my own lane, working at my own pace. So, when the team at Zee came to me, I said, ‘Going to Kolkata for 50 days is out of the question!’”
So, what changed her mind about the Abhinay Deo-directed crime thriller? Persuasion. “The lady [from Zee] asked for 20 minutes. I refused as the [brand] shoot was going on. She asked to meet me after two days. Today, I’m so happy I took that meeting, because when I heard the script of Brown, I couldn’t say no to playing Rita Brown,” said the actor, who plays a depressed, alcoholic cop investigating a series of murders in Kolkata. Certainly a dramatically different role from the ones Kapoor began with, over 30 years ago.
When she forayed into films, masala fares that relied on stardom, song-and-dance, and escapism were the norm — something that is viewed as easy today, when author-backed roles and realistic stories dominate the landscape. But she doesn’t share the opinion.
“The most difficult thing is to do comedy. You can pull off an intense scene, but doing comedy is tougher,” asserted the actor.
She further batted for mainstream movies, saying, “My first big award was for Raja Hindustani [1996], an out-and-out [mainstream] film. So, as an actor, just do your best and it will be appreciated.”
Helen returns to acting after 14 years with Karisma Kapoor's web series, Brown
9:29 AM
Returning to acting after 14 years with ‘Brown’, veteran actor Helen says she was delighted to reconnect with her craft through the light-hearted role
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 28, 2026)
That inimitable grace and natural charm — we’ve missed seeing Helen on screen. Fortunately, the makers of Brown heard us. Sure, the noir crime thriller is being awaited as it marks Karisma Kapoor’s return to a web series six years after Mentalhood (2020). The cherry on top is that with it, Helen faces the camera after almost 14 years.
We aren’t the only ones excited about the special appearance. The veteran actor revealed that she, too, was thrilled at the idea of going to a set again. “It’s been such a long time since I faced the camera. Returning to acting, even for a small role in Brown, has been delightful. Sometimes, it’s not about the length of the role, but the joy of being part of something special,” she beamed.
Set to première on Zee5, Brown — directed by Abhinay Deo — follows Kapoor’s alcoholic cop, who investigates a string of brutal murders in Kolkata. While the story explores themes of trauma, guilt, and redemption, Helen’s character offers moments of levity in the intense narrative. She shared, “My character brings in moments of lightness and comic relief. I’m so glad I was considered for this part — it gave me the chance to reconnect with my craft and relive the magic of being on set.”
Making the experience richer were her co-stars, be it Kapoor or Soni Razdan. Helen added, “Working with Soni and Karisma was an absolute pleasure. I’ve known them both for years, and sharing the screen with them felt so natural and full of warmth.”
You’ll spot another unexpected face in the crime thriller. Singer Shaan is making his OTT debut with the series. He said, “It’s a sweet role, but one that adds an emotional layer to the story. What made this project close to my heart is that it’s rooted in Kolkata. With so many Bengali nuances woven into the narrative, there were moments I could deeply relate to.”
Why are women constantly asked to justify how they look, while men aren't?-Malaika Arora
9:49 AM
Actor-entrepreneur Malaika Arora on shutting down age stereotypes and why men are rarely questioned about their appearance
Sonal Kalra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 2, 2026)
Fitness goals, fashion goals… You name any benchmark in showbiz, and chances are Malaika Arora has already achieved it. As the actor approaches three decades in the industry, she continues to remain relevant. This week on The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra, Malaika opens up about why she chose not to pursue full-fledged acting roles, her entrepreneurial journey, and her close-knit girl gang. Excerpts:
Looking the way you have for decades, we are sure there’s a lot of happiness and joy around it. But are there moments when you sit by yourself, and a fear creeps in that age might catch up and things could be different?
Now that’s a double-edged sword. There are days when it does cross my mind, when I do wonder or question the obvious. And then there are days when I don’t. Ultimately, I don’t care because I am doing what I love and I feel like I am in my prime. I am hungry and want to do so much, so it doesn’t really affect me. I feel women are constantly asked questions like, ‘At your prime, you were like this, and now you are at this age, how does it feel? Do you still feel beautiful or desirable?’ Very rarely is a man asked such a question. Women are always subjected to this test of looking a certain way, and we have to constantly justify how we look. People often go, ‘Oh my God, at this age she looks so amazing. Oh my God, at this age she’s so fit.’ Why? I was like this then, I am like this now, and I’ll be like this 20 years hence, because I feel good. As women, we have got to wear that on our sleeves as a badge and enjoy it, and not feel threatened or pressured by what society has to say.
At the end of the day, it’s not just the physical appearance. Yes, that’s what the world sees, but I feel you have to balance it out with how you are feeling mentally and emotionally. What is it that drives you? What is it that pushes you out of bed every single day and makes you go, ‘Go out there and seize the day?’ It’s not that every time I look in the mirror, I am thinking, ‘Oh, wow, I look good.’ I just have to wake up every day and say, ‘Today is a new day, and I want to make the most of it, and build some sort of legacy that I, my child, and family are proud of.’
How does it feel to spend nearly 30 years in the industry? What’s the journey been like?
It has been ‘wow’. That’s exactly how I would say it. For me, it’s been like a Hindi movie for over 30 years. There’s been a little bit of everything — fun, sadness, highs, lows, heartbreak, love, personal upheavals, and professional highs. One has experienced a little of all in these 30 years of being in the business, and it’s been amazing. I have loved every moment and look forward to the next 30 years.
Why would you not consider doing a full-fledged lead role all these years?
I think I am different. I didn’t want to do what everybody is doing; I didn’t want to be put into a box. Somewhere, I just felt maybe I needed to pivot and do something different. I was very lucky to get some amazing offers. People kept asking me why was I not doing them, but I was never really drawn or attracted to it. But I have always said ‘never say never’. Maybe one day I just might turn around and say, ‘I want to do this. Maybe this is my calling.’ Somewhere, I was happy doing what I did. Back then, I wasn’t sure I had the bandwidth to carry an entire film, and being part of something impactful felt amazing. Maybe a part of me chose the easier path, but over time, I realized this is what I truly enjoyed.
You call your life a Bollywood film and handle tough moments with humour. How do you do it?
I would like to say I have the last laugh. People may have an opinion, or they may want to ridicule or pull you down about something. But with all the good, there comes bad. There’s so much love and appreciation, which balances things out. At the end of the day, I am the one who sits and has the last laugh.
You’ve worn many hats — from entrepreneur to running a restaurant, now joined by your son, Arhaan Khan. What drives you to keep pushing as a businesswoman?
Well, I could just sit back and say, ‘I’ve had fun, I’ve been blessed to have that kind of career, and I am financially secure, so I don’t need to do anything beyond that.’ I could put my feet up and say that’s that, but I am not that person. I am greedy and hungry when it comes to work and opportunities. I feel all these opportunities have been given to me, and it is important for me to make the most of it. At some point, I didn’t realize that this was the path I was going to go down. I realized, why not throw myself into the deep end? Right from my first venture in collaboration for fashion, and now, a lot has happened. Each one has been a stepping stone.
Out of all the qualities you have, which one do you think your son has inherited the most?
I think it’s his sense of discipline and work ethic. When it comes to the way he leads his life, he’s very disciplined, he’s conscious and has a certain work ethic — always be on time and do things, which I think he’s got from me.
You receive a lot of love on social media, but it’s also a mixed space where people say whatever they want. Does that affect you in any way?
I have said this dozens of times: you don’t just take it with a pinch of salt, take it with a handful of salt. It is a platform. You are there, and it’s very simple. Either you choose to stay away from it, or you strike a balance. For me, I keep things out that I don’t need to engage with. I use social media purely as something that is good in terms of our work. At the same time, you use it in the right proportion, where you put out however much you want, and people get that much glimpse into your life. Enjoy it, have fun with it, and leave it at that. Don’t take it too seriously or get too bogged down by it. Don’t let it govern your life. You have to draw these lines somewhere, and then you are good.
Your girl gang (Amrita Arora Ladak, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karisma Kapoor) also gets talked about a lot. In a hypothetical crisis situation, who would you call first?
Family, goes without saying. The girls that we hang out with, they are a phone call away, literally. They are a call away, and I know they will all be there. We stand up for each other and are each other’s support system. There are days where we don’t even connect; we may not talk, but we’ll always be there for each other.
Which actor from the current crop do you admire or really enjoy watching on screen?
I’ve grown up on a staple of Amitabh Bachchan’s films. I have loved his films during my growing-up years, and we keep watching them over and over again. Then, of course, I have always been a Shah Rukh Khan fan. I love his cinema. As you go along, there are so many others who do amazing work and are brilliant actors. But these are the ones I have always been a fan of.
What advice would you give to the people who sometimes feel low?
Being resilient or being able to build a solid inside (inner self) takes a while; it doesn’t happen overnight. There are numerous instances that push you against the wall, where you feel there is no way out. But then you work on yourself. You get strong physically and mentally, and I continue to do that because that’s part of life and learning. There are days where I feel completely bogged down, but I also then dig into my reserves, which are pretty strong, which help me tide over difficult times. If I have to say something, I would always tell people to listen to their body. It may sound silly, but love yourself. As women, we always feel so pressured about so many things. If you are working, there’s always a section of society that will make you feel what you are doing is not good and will tell you, ‘Who’s at home taking care of the kids?’ If you look a certain way, they’ll be like, ‘Isn’t it time for her to give up?’ There’s always something to justify, always a system pushing back. So I just want to say: love yourself.
I am not leaving the big screen ever-Karisma Kapoor
9:46 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; April 16, 2026)
Karisma Kapoor has stepped into a more measured phase of her career. Having witnessed the industry across decades, the Zubeidaa actress reflects on how her relationship with work has gradually shifted from pace to purpose, choosing depth over visibility.
She shares, “Work today is about passion and purpose. I’ve grown up in the industry, and I’ve had the privilege of doing all kinds of roles, from commercial blockbusters to experimental films. Now, it’s less about being everywhere and more about choosing projects that resonate with me.”
‘I value time more and I’m selective about projects’
At this stage, Karisma’s choices are as much about personal space as they are about professional satisfaction, with the actress admitting that time has become her biggest filter.
She explains, “Earlier, there was a lot of momentum since you were working non-stop, going from one set to another. Now, I value time more. I’m selective because I want every project to feel worth stepping out for while also giving enough time to family. It’s about the script, yes, but also the people and the intention behind the story.”
‘I LOVE HOW STORYTELLING HAS EVOLVED WITH OTT PLATFORMS’
While Karisma is embracing new formats, her love for big-screen cinema remains unchanged. She says, “The big screen has its own magic, it’s where I began, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. But I also love how storytelling has evolved with OTT platforms. The web gives scope for complex narratives and diverse characters. And for someone like me who’s being choosy about what to take up next, it’s an exciting landscape. Having said that, I am not leaving the big screen ever.”
‘FASHION IS A FORM OF SELF-EXPRESSION’
Alongside her work, Karisma’s fashion sensibility has inspired people across age groups. “Fashion for me has always been a form of self-expression. I’ve never chased trends, but instead gravitated towards what feels authentic and comfortable. I feel less is more. My style is a mix of nostalgia, with a little touch of today, and my comfort. It feels wonderful to know that people connect with that balance and find inspiration in it. I’m grateful that my choices resonate across generations ‑ it’s both humbling and motivating. Fashion is ever evolving, but when you stay true to yourself, that authenticity never goes out of style,” she shares.
It’s heartbreaking, but the revival of RK Studios isn’t happening-Kareena Kapoor
9:42 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; March 23, 2026)
Twenty-six years into her career, Kareena Kapoor Khan continues to reinvent herself with ease. At a recent event in Mumbai, the actress spoke to us about evolving with the times, balancing food and fitness, how her characters become pop culture icons, and why the revival of Raj Kapoor Studios is not on the cards at this point. Excerpts:
‘Perhaps Lolo and Ranbir should think about RK studios’ revival’
Rumours of cousins Ranbir Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor reviving the iconic Raj Kapoor Studios have been rife, but Kareena sets the record straight.
She clarifies, “That’s just not true. It was even being discussed in our family group, and everyone was like, ‘This isn’t happening.’ I feel people really want it to happen. I feel like Ranbir is focused on acting. He loves acting. I think he’s the best actor in India we have today. So, his focus is on that. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s not happening. Maybe Lolo and Ranbir should think about it because I don’t think I can think like a director or a producer.”
‘I’ve always wanted to do a mini series’
As the conversation flows, the actress, who made her Bollywood debut with Refugee in 2000, talks about reinventing herself.
“There is no sketch, but reinvention is trying to do something different every year. I had never worked with Meghna Gulzar. She’s a wonderful director. Our film (Daayra) is topical, and I’m really looking forward to it. My reinvention will come with my character. I am hoping to do something really different this year, maybe a good show, maybe a miniseries. In fact, I’ve always wanted to do a mini series,” she shares.
‘You have to have your own identity, that’s very important’
Many of the characters she played – like Geet (from Jab We Met) and Poo (from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham) – are pop culture icons, leading to many younger-generation women enacting them.
She says, “I don’t see people intentionally trying to do that, but I feel like Poo and Geet have become such pop culture benchmarks that, in 2026, you’re kind of associating with them. But no one really intentionally wants to (ape them), because you have to have your own identity, and that’s very important.”
Bring up the topic of fashion, and Bebo admits there is pressure every time she steps out. “Of course, there is pressure, but I enjoy fashion, so I enjoy it to my comfort. I don’t like doing things or being fashionable because I will still be uncomfortable. I won’t follow a trend or do something just because it’s cool or looks cool. I’ll first see what I want to do. So, there’s never really any plan to make a fashion statement. I feel when you wear outfits that are wearable, fashion becomes a statement,” she explains.
‘I can feel my body transforming again’
Kareena, who started the size-zero trend in Bollywood, is passionate about her food. She confesses that she still loves her parathas.
“I have a great relationship with food and fitness because I like to eat. I had two parathas today. I have to have my parathas. I like to try different workouts and experiment with them, but my heart crawls back to yoga, because that’s where it lies. In fact, in 2026, I restarted my yoga journey, which I started in 2007 with Tashan. I can feel my body transforming again. I’ve tried a thousand workouts, but I always go back there. So, I’m always going to eat my parathas and continue doing my yoga,” she signs off.
Squad goals: Keeping up with the Mohans - Shakti, Mukti and Neeti
9:32 AM
As kids, sisters Shakti, Mukti and Neeti Mohan would perform in classrooms, parties and their bedroom. (SOURAV SHARMA)
Neeti has sung your favourite Bollywood tracks. Shakti has the killer dance moves. Mukti lights up the stage and the screen. Step inside the Mohan sister-verse
Kritika Kapoor (HT CITY BRUNCH; March 14, 2026)
As kids, the Mohan sisters would perform everywhere. In their bedroom, at birthday parties, in classrooms, for friends and family. Their favourite routine: Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor’s Dance Of Envy from Dil To Pagal Hai (1997). Shakti Mohan and Mukti Mohan took turns playing Madhuri and Karisma. “I was Yash ji [Chopra] and Saroj Khan,” says Neeti Mohan, laughing. They would cut their tights into shorts, and their mother would lend them lipstick and jewellery.
None of them really dreamt of a career in the spotlight. They were a middle-class family in Delhi, with zero ties to film or TV; there was no real path to get there. Yet, 30 years later, Neeti, 46, is a Bollywood playback queen. Shakti, 40, reigns as Indian TV’s go-to dance judge, host and mentor. Mukti, 38, started out as a dancer, before pivoting to acting. She’s been in Thar (2022), Lust Stories 2 (2023) and Gyaarah Gyaarah (2024).
They did it all the hard way: No filmi family, industry contacts or shortcuts. Just three sisters figuring it out together.
The Mohans are often asked how one family ended up with three siblings in show business: Is it in the genes? The training? Something in the water they drank? Even they don’t quite know. Their parents weren’t performers. They weren’t wealthy – their father was a chartered accountant, their mother a homemaker. “But they let us do whatever we wanted, be it singing, dancing or sports,” says Shakti.
In the early 2000s, even in a city like Delhi, that kind of freedom for daughters was rare. The sisters remember people pitying their father for having four daughters. (Their fourth sister, Kriti Mohan, stays out of the spotlight, managing Shakti and Mukti.)
It’s partly why Neeti had a relentless urge to excel. Reason No 2 was her younger sisters. Their father would tell her, “Neeti, whatever you do, your sisters do. No pressure.” Of course, she felt the pressure. “My sisters are like my best friends,” she says. “But they’re also like my children.” So, she leaned into the role, excelling at studies, music, dance, theatre and the National Cadet Corps.
By the time her sisters joined the same school, Neeti was the hostel head, the cultural head, the band leader. Shakti was the “naughty one”; the kind to throw a book at a beehive, just “to see what would happen”. “Teachers would complain to Neeti about me, so I was terrified of her. If she was coming from one direction, I would run in the opposite direction,” Shakti says.
Neeti in turn, made sure her sisters had a spot on stage, and coached them to do well. “I’d tell them to dance to a patriotic song – you’ll get more marks.” The strategy worked. The sisters dominated everything, from dance to basketball. They picked safer futures in college: Neeti studied Philosophy. Shakti planned to take the UPSC. Mukti wanted to pursue a Master’s in Psychology. But that was about to change.
Triple threat
It was the first decade of the new millennium. India was in the middle of a reality-TV boom. Farah Khan, Sonu Nigam and Anu Malik were assessing nobodies face-to-face. Talent shows were carving out a separate path to fame. Music directors were looking for new voices. The showbiz formula was changing.
Neeti was 24 when her sisters pushed her to audition for Channel [V] Popstars in 2003. When she appeared on the show, “we were bragging everywhere,” recalls Shakti. She made it to the shortlist – along with three others – to form the pop group Aasma. They released two albums before folding in 2005. But the show had given Neeti a way in, and she wasn’t letting go.
In 2009, she returned to compete on the singing show Music Ka Maha Muqqabla and won again. Then, in 2012, a breakthrough. Neeti sang Jiya Re, from Jab Tak Hai Jaan; and Ishq Wala Love, from Student Of The Year. There were awards. There was recognition. Her sisters believed if Neeti could get there, maybe they could too.
Shakti and Mukti grew up joined at the hip. “People thought we were twins, even though we’re two years apart.” Maybe it was the matching outfits and identical mushroom haircuts. Or the fact that they trained in Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance together, shared the same friends, and – for a while in college – even had the same Tata Docomo phone. So, it was hardly surprising when they entered showbiz together. In 2010, Shakti won Dance India Dance Season 2, while Mukti won Zara Nachke Dikha.
At the time, there was no real career in dancing. “You could either be a back-up dancer or assist a choreographer,” says Shakti. But with a reality TV win, they had the visibility that few dancers did. Shakti went on to judge, host and guest star on more than 20 dance shows. Mukti tried everything from comedy and stunt-based contests such as Fear Factor, to taking a six-year break in 2018 to train in theatre. “I didn’t have to worry about rent or groceries,” she says. Her sisters had her back as she worked her way up to films and web series.
Home advantage
The sisters say that the only downside to fame has been the invasive curiosity that comes with it. “People keep flooding our social media comments with questions about Kriti,” says Shakti. Conspiracy theorists suggest that she’s being kept out of the spotlight. “It’s so bizarre and obnoxious. She has chosen to remain private. She’s living her life. Why does she have to be on stage too?”
Shakti runs a dance studio, Nritya Shakti, for hip hop, ballet, jazz, dance hall, Bollywood and more. Mukti’s performing-arts space Mukti Manch trains aspiring actors. Both sisters acknowledge that their success came from all the people who voted for them on TV. They’re keen to pay it forward.
And, for once, they’re teaming up. Their 2025 show, Mohan Sisters Live, has played in Mumbai and other Indian cities. It’s packed with Bharatnatyam, bhangra, kathak, garba, Latin, hip-hop and contemporary routines. Neeti sings all her hits. There’s even a Madhuri Dixit tribute, making it a full-circle moment.
And just like they did as kids, they’ve shaped every detail of the show. Shakti handled choreography and the show’s Instagram page. Mukti takes charge of design and styling — from sourcing the fabrics for their glittering anarkalis to the bedazzled red JLo-style jumpsuits.
They’re not always in sync. They are sisters, after all. On 5 am flights, “Mukti and I are bouncing around,” says Shakti. “Neeti is quiet because she’s conserving her voice.” Neeti will change her seat sometimes, because she “just can’t keep up with their energy”. On their group chat, it’s the same. Shakti and Mukti flood the thread with GIFs, memes and stickers. Neeti operates in efficient one-word replies, usually to scheduling questions. Her signature response: “Available”.
When it comes to famous sisters, the Mohans admire Destiny’s Child, the Phogat sisters and the Williams sisters. But their favourite sister act of all time? “Us. Definitely.”
This litigation is about securing the future of Sunjay Kapur’s children and ensuring fair access-Mahesh Jethmalani
9:20 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; September 17, 2025)
There’s a new plot twist to the battle over Sunjay Kapur’s Rs. 30,000 crore assets. A week after the first hearing about the dispute over the inheritance of the late industrialist’s assets at the Delhi High Court, Mahesh Jethmalani, senior lawyer and counsel to Karisma Kapoor’s children, has revealed that Samaira and Kiaan have not received the shares worth Rs. 1,900 crore as cited in the court.
The legal team said in a statement, “The Rs. 1,900 crore figure is based on the value of Sona Comstar shares, and the children have not received any of the shares, which are still held through the Trust. Control of these assets remains with Priya Sachdev Kapur in the Trust, and the children have no access to it.”
Mahesh Jethmalani said, “This litigation is about securing the future of Sunjay Kapur’s children and ensuring fair access to the assets held in India and abroad.” He said that the figure cited by Priya Sachdev Kapur’s lawyer in the court is based on the value of Sona Comstar shares.
‘THIS LITIGATION IS TO ENSURE ALL THE FIVE CLASS 1 HEIRS RECEIVE FAIR ACCESS TO SUNJAY’S ESTATE’
To put things into perspective, Jethmalani further explained, “Assuming the estate is worth Rs. 30,000 crore and the children having allegedly received Rs. 1,900 crore from the RK Trust, still leaves over Rs. 28,000 crore to Priya Sachdev Kapur. Would she forsake a good part of that fortune? One has to understand and appreciate that this litigation is to ensure all the five Class 1 heirs, including the two children of Karisma and Sunjay Kapur receive fair access to his estate.”
As per reports from the courtroom proceedings, the children have still not been given a copy of the will, nor any clarity on their father’s assets.
What happened
Sunjay Kapur and Karisma Kapoor’s children, Samaira (20) and Kiaan (15), represented by their mother, have filed a case against Priya Sachdev Kapur, for a share in their father’s Rs. 30,000 crore assets, and have alleged suppression and forgery of will. They claimed that the will surfaced seven weeks after his demise, but no one has seen it till date. In the last hearing, Priya’s counsel claimed in the Delhi HC that the children had received Rs. 1,900 crore through the RK Family Trust.
A look at the battle over Sunjay Kapur’s Rs. 30,000 cr estate
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Mandhira Kapur (left), Sunjay Kapur & Karisma Kapoor family
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; September 12, 2025)
The fight over late businessman Sunjay Kapur’s Rs. 30,000 crore estate has landed in the Delhi High Court, with his and Karisma Kapoor’s children, Samaira and Kiaan, challenging a will that excludes them. At the centre of the dispute is a will that no one other than Priya has seen yet.
Lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the siblings, told the court that the will cuts the two children out of their father’s fortune, is unregistered, and that the circumstances surrounding its discovery are suspicious.
On the other side, Priya Sachdev Kapur, Sunjay Kapur’s wife, represented by Rajiv Nayar, has argued that the case itself is “not maintainable” and reminded the court that an unregistered will is not automatically invalid. Nayar also referred to the bitter divorce between Karisma and Sunjay, adding that she was “nowhere to be seen” after the split. He further told the court that assets worth Rs. 1,900 crore have already been transferred to the siblings. The court has asked for replies to be filed.
Rs. 10,000 cr worth of assets should be mine: Rani Kapur via lawyer
Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, who appeared for Sunjay Kapur’s mother Rani Kapur, told the court that she too has been left without anything.
“I have written at least 15 emails asking about the will, what are the documents? Not a word has been shared. I have been told that my emails have been compromised. There is something incredibly unholy. Rs. 10,000 crore worth of assets should have been mine. I am 80-year-old,” he told the court.
There is nothing secret about the will: Priya’s lawyer
“I have a 6-year-old child. I am a widow. I am his last wife. There is nothing secret about the will. I have said that I will share it, but they will have to share a non-disclosure. It’s been disclosed to the court… All this crying and weeping that is going on. Just six days before the suit, the plaintiffs received Rs. 1,900 crore from the trust,” Rajiv Nayar, who appeared for Priya Sachdev Kapur, told the court.
What happened
Karisma Kapoor, who is representing her children, moved the court saying the children have been wrongfully excluded from Sunjay Kapur’s estate. The siblings have accused stepmother Priya Sachdev Kapur, who is Sunjay’s third wife, of forging his will and trying to gain total control of the assets.
This will is not registered, says Karisma’s lawyer
Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, who appeared for the Karisma Kapoor’s children, said in the court, “The father (Sunjay Kapur) was meticulous in securing the properties of the children. It is a fact that this will is not registered. So we have a document that suddenly comes up, and the most surprising (thing) is that the children are totally left out. We have asked for the disclosure of the assets of the father as well… Why is it suspicious? It’s because this will was not disclosed to us. What has triggered this suit is that all along the plaintiffs were told that there was no will. Some of the property is held by a trust… This goes beyond reason, because the person who disclosed that a will exists is also an employee of the company.”
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Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; September 13, 2025)
New details keep emerging every day in the battle over inheritance of Sunjay Kapur’s assets reportedly worth Rs. 30,000 crore. According to news reports, the new records submitted in the Delhi High Court claim that Sunjay was facilitating Portuguese citizenship for Karisma Kapoor and their two children, Samaira and Kiaan. Lawyers representing the children argue that the will dated March 2025, which disinherits the kids, is suspicious because “at the end of May this year, which is supposed to be two months after the will was executed, Sunjay was trying to get Portuguese citizenship certainly for his children, and possibly for Karisma.”
According to the lawyers, Sunjay was considering Portuguese citizenship for his two children since properties held overseas would be exempt from inheritance tax, as Portugal does not have such a regime. This, they contend, would have saved all three of his children from inheritance tax liabilities.
‘If you shout, you’ll get paid back in the same coin’
A clip showing a heated exchange between Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing Karisma’s children, and Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing Priya Sachdev Kapur, was widely shared on social media, where both lawyers were seen shouting at each other.
When Rajiv Nayar said to Jethmalani, “Don’t interrupt me,” Jethmalani retorted, “You should get a taste of your own medicine then, and do not shout at me! Have some courtesy to the counsel. If you shout you’ll get paid back in the same coin.”
They argue that if Sunjay was discussing Portuguese citizenship in May 2025 to protect his children from such liabilities, it is surprising that just two months earlier, in March 2025, he had signed a will leaving all overseas properties to Priya Sachdev Kapur and none to his children.
What happened
The Delhi High Court said on Friday that it will correct its order in the ongoing legal dispute over Sunjay Kapur’s estate, as it had mistakenly noted that lawyers for his sister, Mandhira Kapur, were present. Priya Kapur and her young son are named as the main defendants in the suit and Priya requested the court to correct the record, arguing that Mandhira had never formally joined the case.
Background
During a September 10 hearing, the High Court had directed Priya Kapur to submit a list of all of her late husband’s assets, both movable and immovable. The written order from that hearing also noted the presence of lawyers for Mandhira Kapur. The case is from a petition filed by actor Karisma Kapoor’s two children, who are seeking a share in their father Sunjay Kapur’s estate.
I was pushed into directing Fiza after plans with Ram Gopal Varma fell through-Khalid Mohamed
9:31 AM
S Farah Rizvi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 8, 2025)
Fiza, released in 2000, celebrates its 25th anniversary today. On this milestone, the film’s writer-director, Khalid Mohamed, shares, “These 25 years seem like yesterday. Looking back, there’s a sense of self-fulfilment and pride.” He calls actors Karisma Kapoor a “dream to work with” and Hrithik Roshan the “most immersive” actor.
Khalid says he wasn’t meant to helm the film originally but was “pushed into directing” after filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, the first choice, didn’t work out. It was cinematographer Santosh Sivan who stepped in with a suggestion: “Why don’t you direct it yourself?” Later, Karisma also joined Santosh in encouraging Khalid.
Though Khalid had written screenplays for films like Mammo (1994), Sardari Begum (1996), and Zubeidaa (2001), directing had its own challenges: “Of course, there were some tough days, like when we didn’t have enough resources to show a large room.”
Funding was also major concern until a new producer came on board. “The film had been started with loans derived from friends by co-producer Pradeep Guha and myself,” Khalid explains.
Sharing how the music became a huge asset to the film, he muses, “I lucked out.” Anu Malik “was in his element”, and A R Rahman composed Piya Haji Ali for free. Gulzar’s lyrics for Aaja Mahiya also “worked wonders for the song,” Khalid adds.
Shabana Raza Bajpayee: My goal was to get more scenes
Shabana Raza Bajpayee recalls playing Shehnaz Sulaiman, Hrithik Roshan’s love interest in Fiza: “I remember when I got the narration of the story. I liked it so much, not just its canvas but the bunch of talented people who were involved .”
The 50-year-old actor reveals that her main goal during production was to get director Khalid Mohamed to broaden her role. “My only aim was to somehow persuade Khalid to increase my scenes, as I loved the story so much and, like any other aspiring actor, I wanted to be there in more frames,” Shabana explains, adding, “No one could deter him even a bit from the original plot.”
She also reflects on working with her husband, actor Manoj Bajpayee, who played Murad Khan. “Manoj had a small but memorable role,” she says, adding, “Every character was an anchor to the story in their own way; that’s what makes the film more special.”
Karan Johar on Bollywood WhatsApp chats: "If those leak, I’d have to move to London"
8:24 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 2, 2025)
Karan Johar recently shared a hilarious and revealing insight into Bollywood’s WhatsApp groups. When asked if he’d ever consider turning those chats into a book or movie, the filmmaker said, “If anyone ever got access to those WhatsApp groups about me and many of my friends in the fraternity, I think we would have to move to London. We may not be able to continue living here.”
Speaking on Mojo Story, Karan, who once revealed having a WhatsApp group comprising actors Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Sonam A Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, on his chat show, added that the discussions in such groups are unfiltered: “They are candid, honest, and sometimes very b**chy analysis of our immediate environment and what’s going on. We are fashion critics, we are movie critics. We are critics of everything in that group. Everyone has an opinion, and none of us can ever put those opinions out there.”
Condolences pour in on Sunjay Kapur’s death
3:24 PM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 15, 2025)
Industrialist Sunjay Kapur, 53, who was also actor Karisma Kapoor’s ex-husband, died in the UK on Thursday night. He reportedly suffered a heart attack while playing polo after swallowing a bee during the game.
Following the news, Karisma’s family and friends rallied around her, including sister Kareena Kapoor Khan and brother-in-law Saif Ali Khan. Actor Vivek Anand Oberoi wrote on X: “It’s truly heartbreaking to hear about the untimely passing of Sunjay Kapur. Such a profound loss for everyone who knew him.”
Reality TV star Shalini Passi told HT: “The news of Sunjay’s death is sad and shocking. It makes us realize the frivolity of our life and everything that we take so seriously.”
Just hours before his death, Sunjay wrote about the plane crash on X: “Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour (sic).”
After his death, a post he shared on X on June 9 went viral (see inset on top). Sunjay and Karisma got married in 2003, and got divorced in 2016. They had two kids together — daughter Samaira Kapoor, 20, and son Kiaan, 14.
DADDY DUTIES
While Sunjay was co-parenting Samaira and Kiaan with Karisma, he was also father to Azarias, his seven-year-old son with wife Priya Sachdev. He hired a parenting coach to navigate his blended family and to adhere to the responsibilities of fatherhood in a better manner.
SUNJAY’S NET WORTH
As per Forbes, Sunjay’s net worth at the time of his death was $1.2 billion (Rs. 10,300 crore). As of a few months ago, his publicly listed company was valued at Rs. 40,000 crore. They manufacture automobile parts for seven out of the top 10 car companies in the world.
Shyam Benegal introduced me to Khow suey-Karisma Kapoor
8:33 AM
Mugdha Kapoor (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 26, 2024)
Actor Karisma Kapoor says veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal was like a second grandfather to her and much like her own grandfather, late filmmaker Raj Kapoor, Benegal too was “truly pathbreaking”. Shyam Benegal, the pioneer of the parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s, died on December 23 due to chronic kidney disease. He was 90 years old.
In an interview with us, Kapoor recalls his experience working with the filmmaker in Zubeidaa (2001) and the filmmaker's nuanced approach to storytelling. “Zubeidaa has been a highlight for me as an actor and as a person, because it was so different from what I was doing at the time. Shyam ji understood that transition and always supported me,” she says,” adding, “Shyam ji's films were about truth—raw, unfiltered, and deeply human. His dedication to authenticity, whether it was creating the world of Zubeidaa with real-life elements or delving into the emotional struggles of his characters, was inspiring.”
The 50-year-old adds, “He had an incredible eye for detail and authenticity. For Zubeidaa, we wore real jewelery and costumes kindly lent by the royal family. It helped me fully step into the character's world. Shyam ji's guidance was gentle yet profound. He would share insights about Zubeidaa's motivations, helping me understand her vulnerability and emotional depth. He was dedicated to telling his story authentically, and that inspired me to give my best to the role.”
Talking about Benegal as a pioneer in many aspects, Kapoor says, “There were so many firsts with Shyam ji. Zubeidaa was the first Indian film to use sync sound, which made the experience unique and authentic. Beyond its technical achievements, Zubeidaa resonates as a timeless tale of love, dreams and longing.”
On her personal relationship with Benegal, she says, “I fondly remember bonding with him over movies, music and food. One moment that stands out is when he introduced me to Khow suey (Burmese noodle soup) at his home — it was such a warm and memorable gesture that reflected his beautiful personality. Shyam ji wasn't just a visionary filmmaker. He was an extraordinary human being.”
She says Benegal has the rare ability to bring out the best in his actors without overwhelming them. “His style was collaborative and nurturing. One piece of feedback from him that stayed with me was when he told me, 'You are the queen of commercial cinema,' recognizing my journey while encouraging me to embrace this completely different role.”
Talking about Benegal's contribution to Indian cinema, Kapoor says "it is immeasurable". “He was a pioneer, always ahead of his time, and his work bridged the gap between art and mainstream cinema. His films explored complex themes like identity, societal constraints and human emotions in a way that was both accessible and thought-provoking," she ends.
Heartbreak is my signature. Salman Khan takes his shirt off [onscreen]. I get cheated on-Ananya Panday
8:02 AM
Being the right person, at the right place, time and age, Ananya Panday, 25, on the new-turn from her glitzy Bollywood career
Mayank Shekhar (MID-DAY; October 26, 2024)
Please don’t judge for what the algorithm throws on my Instagram, but I have seen videos of paparazzi calling for Ananya Panday’s attention, yelling, “ACP, ACP, ACP…”
WTF is ACP, we naturally ask Ananya, who goes, “Full props to paps for creativity.”
She was once stepping out of the Mumbai Police’s annual gala, named Umang, where it occurred to photographers posted outside to call her ACP, as in, Assistant Commissioner of Police.
The name stuck. Sometimes they call her Bae. Meaning, the Prime Video series, Call Me Bae, that she headlined in 2024.
“But there, they go, a-bey, abey, eh,” Ananya says. Sounds crass. She doesn’t like that so much. She likes ACP. As in, which is what I first thought, ‘Ananya Chunky Panday’, since it’s a common practice to use father’s name as middle name.
Chunky, as in the Bollywood star, from the ’80s. He has a brother called Chikki, who I had the privilege of knowing, at some point—a businessman, I realized, who was the go-to guy for many in Bollywood, if they ever got into trouble with the government, or wanted some issue or the other fixed, pronto—with customs, police, excise, etc.
Chunky, Chikki, these are kinda weird names, too, no?
Ananya laughs, “My father is Suyash. Chikki chachu is actually Alok. They keep telling me stories of how they got their [pet] names, but I don’t believe them.”
“My dad says he was very chunky, when he was born. Which is not true. He was a stick [figure]. Chachu says he loved eating chikki.” But then you don’t start out eating chikki as an infant, when you get named, anyway.
Chunky calls Ananya, Wazi: “It’s strange. He calls my mom and my sister, and now our dog, Wazi, too. I think he fears that he’ll forget our names.”
Sticking to Insta reels still, the one with Ananya that went the most viral, actually, had to do with her co-actor, from Gehraiyaan (2022), Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023), Siddhant Chaturvedi, over a round-table conversation, with young actors, discussing nepotism in the film industry.
Ananya was roughly making a point about how nepotism may be too blanket a term. Which is when Siddhant chimed in with the now-famous line, “When their struggles begin, is when our dreams get realized!” With a foot in the door of the film industry, after all.
“I think Siddhant had just written that line in a hidden notebook, and was simply waiting to blurt it out,” Ananya laughs.
To add, “I can joke about this, because he is one of my closest friends in the industry. This insider-outsider is such a dividing line, anyway. What I was trying to say is everybody has a different story. You have to eventually resonate with audiences. And many people with film backgrounds, don’t; several from outside, do.”
To think of it, while her father Chunky was indeed a star—his stardom years would probably hover between the mid-80s to early ’90s—“films like Vishwatma, Aankhen, Tezaab…”
Ananya knew of them, but ever since she was born, in 1998, “he had moved on to negative parts, and ‘character-actor’ roles.”
Back in the day, we also used to hear about Chunky being a super-star in Bangladesh! Not that I’ve seen any of Chunky’s Bangladeshi films; fair then to wonder if it’s even true?
Ananya says, “I have met his fans from Bangladesh. It’s definitely true.”
We actually got to Ananya’s name-business in the conversation, because of Saif Ali Khan’s daughter, Sara, who went to Dhirubhai Ambani International School, with Ananya. But would choose to never call her by her name. She’d just say, “Aye”. As in not the first letter of Ananya. Just, “Aye,” for anonymous.
From Ananya’s account, Sara comes across as quite the vicious senior. If Ananya saw Sara coming down the steps in school, she’d just take the other staircase: “She was so ‘mufat’ [loud-mouth], I was always scared of what she’ll say to me.”
They did a play together, where Sara was the lead, and Ananya would hold the umbrella for her.
They, of course, get along famously now. Sara had just texted Ananya for her stellar performance in Vikramaditya Motwane’s CTRL (2024), before we began this episode of Sit with Hitlist, wondering how much older Ananya was from Sara, since she’s the youngest to feature in this series; with Sara, before her.
“She’ll kill me if I told you [how old is Sara],” Ananya smiles. But when you’re in school together, you will know, if you’re in Class V. Well, Sara was in Class VIII then—debuting in films in 2018, with Kedarnath. The same year Janhvi Kapoor debuted with Dhadak.
Together, the three could form the top female trio of GenZ leads in Bollywood, currently. To give you a sense of the passage of time, when Sit with Hitlist started (in 2017, with Aamir Khan), none of them were professional actors.
Ananya belongs to Bollywood’s class of 2019, starting with Student Of The Year (SOTY) 2—Karan Johar’s teeny-bopper franchise, aimed at introducing fresh faces in mainstream Hindi films.
Ananya claims her jaw dropped, when she first saw Alia Bhatt, similarly, enter the screen with SOTY. That’s her inspiration. Ever since she can remember, Ananya maintains she’d always wanted to be a Bollywood heroine.
“My dad had a handy-cam, with a rotating screen—a selfie, before the selfie. I was obsessed with performing lines and songs before it. Even at birthday parties, nobody had to ask—I would just dance for everyone.”
For further proof of the Bollywood bug, Ananya informs she has three things stuck on the wall of her vanity van: “A picture of Lolo [Karisma Kapoor]. A picture of Salman Khan. And [Kareena Kapoor’s] line [from Jab We Met]: Mein apni favourite hoon.”
That’s what she admiringly gazes at, every day, before stepping out that van-door, to shoot! Which kinda also explains the early moves in her career, besides SOTY 2, of course.
It’s the sort of work that should ideally fetch you a poster in the backseat of an autorickshaw—the old barometer for a heroine’s success in fan-culture: “Oh, it hasn’t happened to me yet. Please do send me, if you find one [i.e., a pic of hers on either side of an auto-rickshaw seat].”
Just putting it out there, if you do find one. With her subsequent films, hence, Ananya went full-on small-town. For instance, as the hot distraction for a married man in Pati Patni Aur Woh, a rustic remake of the Sanjeev Kumar classic, that was a decent hit, with Kartik Aaryan.
Likewise, she was off to Mathura/Agra in Dream Girl 2. Not that realism was the film’s strong suit, it was still a world quite far removed for a Bandra-bred.
Ananya says, “I’m a director’s actor. In the sense of absorbing instructions, or their insights into small-town. That apart, just walking around, shopping for mithai, being on the boat in Mathura, for a live location, gives you a feel of the world, pretty quickly.”
She could’ve carried on the same way—made it in life, though maybe not with glowing reviews. Critical acclaim doesn’t equal crores, anyway.
Only, a certain “switch” happened in her career, wherein you can seamlessly observe an Ananya, who’s so un-Ananya—going deeper into roles, with effortlessly subtle, character-driven cinema, reflecting zeitgeist, or spirit of the times.
What was that switch? Ananya describes it quite precisely: “[Director] Shakun Batra. He taught me to develop my process as an actor [with Gehraiyaan]. We did workshops together, with Siddhant, Deepika [Padukone].
“Even though I wasn’t playing the central part, I got to build a backstory for a character, that won’t even be seen on the screen. I inculcated all of that into my own training, for all my films [thereafter].”
She clearly remembers going up to meet Shakun (Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Kapoor & Sons), first. “As you know, I’m a complete Hindi film person. I was really nervous. I thought he would be some hi-fi intellectual. So, I watched two Polish movies, to talk to him…”
Which two Polish films? “Now, I can’t remember their names,” Ananya says. Going back to Insta reels, she’s convinced this bit of the conversation will start getting shared online. The same way she got trolled, when she once admitted she hadn’t watched The Godfather!
As with Indian cinema and Satyajit Ray, among film buffs globally, Polish cinema gets most instantly associated with director Krzysztof Kieślowski.
I wonder if she’d seen one of Kieślowski’s films? I bring up later in the chat. “Yes, [Kieślowski’s] Red was one of the films I’d seen.”
So, if the first clip from the video of this conversation does get passed around for trolling purposes, only fair that this second part is added to it too. Just saying. That said, Ananya sighs in relief, “Shakun turned out to be so chill. He’s from Delhi. My boy, basically.”
It’s not like Ananya hadn’t been through a workshop process with her debut, under Dharma Productions. But that was different.
“I was 18. That workshop was mainly to open me up to the camera—learn [to tell] the wide-shot, from close-up. Tiger [Shroff; co-star in SOTY 2] would literally move me around, to take my mark, catch the light. I had no idea.”
She adds, “Contrary to popular perception that I grew up [in the film industry]—my dad took me to a set, only once.” That was some picture, Ananya recalls, titled “Fresh Lime or something”, which never got released—a common phenomenon, couple of decades ago.
Gehraiyaan, for instance, was possibly the first Indian film to engage an ‘intimacy coordinator’ on the set, to execute lovemaking scenes: “It’s a must for every set. It’s about consent. But beyond that, I was too conscious as an actor, too self-aware—diligent, teacher’s pet, doing as told.”
“Which is what I’d be with Punit [Malhotra, director of SOTY 2]. But I may not find that with every director, Shakun told me. So, I had to develop a voice of my own—do a [self-interpreted] ‘take, for the love’, which might make it to the movie.”
This making of Un-Ananya involved “workshops with acting instructor, Atul Mongia, who makes you go deep into inner emotions; voice-coaching with a training institute called Strictly Speaking, breathing exercises….”
There is training on “physicality and movements” that she’s undergoing right, currently, for a 1920s period project she’s working on—that “she’s dying to talk about”, but has been forbidden from. Fair enough.
The filmography that followed Gehraiyaan speaks for itself. Okay, there was that ludicrous Liger that happened after, too. Seriously, what the hell was that? Let’s not talk about it? “You don’t have to, it’s fine,” Ananya mutters.
We move on, to: Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (KGHK), CTRL (pronounced Control), Call Me Bae (CMB). The latter is a fully frivolous/fluffy series, about a ditsy damsel, going through two lives, offline, and on the Internet. “I’m even shocked that you’ve seen it,” Ananya qualifies.
True. I may not the TG (target group), but there is a flip that occurs somewhere towards the end of third episode of CMB, with commentary on TV news media (which is a spoof of itself), that gives the show, proper legs to stand on, thence. Apart from the accepted genre, of course.
Ananya agrees, “It’s the kinda content, I’d wanna watch, as an audience. Whether or not I’m in it. That’s what I look at [in a script], now.”
For all the fluff, Call Me Bae had something to say. “And it’s aligned with my beliefs, very strongly. Sometimes, as an actor, you’re told not to speak up so much. Or to not get political. But when you can do that, with your work, it’s so beautiful! You also reach a much wider audience.”
Besides fine music, great performances—particularly Ananya’s; so viscerally easygoing, and easy on the eye—what’s common to KGHK, CMB and CTRL?
That she goes through heartbreak, each time! “That’s my signature. Salman Khan takes his shirt off [onscreen]. I get cheated on! I don’t want it,” Ananya laughs.
Jokes apart, what else is common between KGHK, CMB and CTRL? GenZ, and its relationship, with technology. Or, social media, to be more precise, that totally drives the mediascape, if not the world, circa 2024.
Ananya reasons, “I know people are seeing them as a trilogy of technology movies. That wasn’t the plan. But being a GenZ, these topics are attractive to me, to talk about—and that no one in cinema is [doing it]. It’s been under-represented—technology is the third part of everyone’s lives.”
Who else to frame such films but a GenZ herself. Making Ananya also the right person, at the right place, time and age, 25, taking the new-turn, on the Bollywood front.
For a film like CTRL, for instance, where she’s in every single scene—as a young, tech-savvy YouTuber, switching between devices/screens—Ananya herself would be as much a muse as the maal (research) for the movie, no?
At an experiential level, she certainly knows more about the world being surveyed than the writer-director (Vikramaditya Motwane) himself. She agrees. Which is why she was brought onboard the writing process as well.
“There was a writers’ retreat in Goa with Vikram, screenwriter Avinash [Sampat], Sumukhi Suresh [the dialogue writer]. And I was called over to sit in on the discussions. That’s when I’d make suggestions, too. Such as the fact that the [lead’s] name should be Nalini, and that she’s trying to fit in, and be cool, by calling herself Nella, instead.”
Just as Bae is actually Bella, in CMB? “In hindsight now, they sound similar. It didn’t feel like that, when I was shooting them, though,” Ananya smiles. CTRL was shot over 16 days, with work on edit, for screen-life genre, that took 16 months!
Ananya says, “The shoot itself had no green screens. The way you saw you it is the way we filmed it. In the sense of me holding two phones [one as prop, and the other as camera]. I got to design the AI [emoji] I talk to in the film too. Which is not the version in the final film.”
For inspiration for her three top films, lately—where Ananya plays a social media fiend/influencer—she’d have to look no further than her own family.
Her first cousin, Alanna Panday (Chikki’s daughter), who—much like Bae, and her bae, in CMB—publicly channels her complete married life, with her partner, Ivor, through their YouTube channel (1.4 million subscribers), and on Instagram (2 million-plus followers).
Alanna and Ivor recently got themselves a multi-part reality series, The Tribe, that dropped on Prime Video. Albeit more as a Bollywood star, rather than a content-creator type, Ananya herself metaphorically leads 25 million followers on Instagram.
I wonder what she makes of the influencer culture herself, while very much a part of it, in a sense.
She says, “I see it with Alanna and her husband. They put out every part of their lives. You’re never present; in the moment. It’s hard work. And then you see what works [online]. So, maybe, you’re not into PDA [public display of affection], but there’s traction, so you do it. As actors, we don’t have to be so public.”
Ananya’s a phone addict, nonetheless. Like so many of us. Her mother, Bhavana, though, she says, is more cued in to social media. Bhavana, of course, became quite the reality TV star through the Netflix series, Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives.
By the way, that’s where I first saw this thing called the Paris Debutants’ Ball, with Maheep and Sanjay Kapoor’s daughter, Shanaya, on the ballroom floor, among supposed global elites. Sorry to sound terribly middle-class, but WTF is a debutants’ ball—a Jane Austenian matchmaking soiree?
I ask this to Ananya, because she debuted on the social scene, similarly, in Paris, with the same event, that lists Vanity Fair as its title sponsor. Vanity Fair organises this?
“I’m actually not good with these things [details]—it gets covered in Vanity Fair, yes. Honestly, when my mom first got this invite over mail, she thought it was a prank.
“What I really liked about it is that, well, I didn’t study abroad. I see that with my sister [Rysa], who goes to Tisch [School of the Arts] in New York, and gets to interact with people from all parts of the world. I got to do that at the ball. Then, it’s also the first time we went through camera, hair, make-up—it was a training of sorts.”
What is it, though? “I was 17. As were everyone else—Reese Witherspoon’s daughter, Ava; [comedian] Steve Harvey’s daughter, Lori; the guy [with me] was the prince of Sweden, that I found out later… They pick 20 girls from across the world. We are all in touch.”
I’m guessing a networking event for the young then, and their folks, perhaps.
It’s easy to tell how Ananya would’ve easily fit in, though. There’s a natural gal-pal quality about her. Not that I’m friends with too many her age—but you can tell.
Also, as she fills you in on her family friends, or BFFs, as it were: Shanaya, Navya Naveli (Amitabh Bachchan’s grand-daughter), Suhana (Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter).
Their WhatsApp group is called Charlie’s Angels. There’s another one, Ananya’s Fans: “Named by me, of course,” she says.
Her fans online, incidentally, are called ‘Ananyans’! She provides them a fair peek into her life, through paps, and posts online. This is stuff that makes showbiz, showbiz, anyway.
Outside of that, I think there’s a relatable side to Ananya as a pure conversationalist. She might look a bit of an insouciant space-cadet. Which was my impression of her—changed totally by the fact of how she chats so unaffectedly. To the point that when our hour-long time’s up, she goes, “What? It’s over? Weren’t you gonna ask me about Orry?”
Did tell her that I would. Because we saw a coaster lying in the coffee-table of the studio that said ‘Orly’—shortened form of ‘Oh, really?” We misread that as Orry, before the chat began.
So, since she asked for it—may as well educate readers on the existentialist query, “Who the hell is Orry?” We mean the social media influencer, who’s only papped with movie-stars, except, nobody knows what he does for a living.
Ananya and Orry are, evidently, friends. And I don’t mean the question in terms of the phenomenon itself—of people famous, for being famous. Instagram is simply the new Page 3. But, no, we must know—who is Orry?
Ananya says, “I’ve known him 10 years.” Where did she meet him? “At a nightclub called Tryst [in Lower Parel]. He’d come with common friends.”
Who was this common friend? “Can’t remember. I think Shanaya. But he’s been friends with all of us—much before we became actors. He went to college in LA, with Janhvi. He was in the same year, if not the same class, with Sara, in school.”
Sara went to Dhirubhai. Ananya tells me, “He’s a South Bombay boy, who went to Cathedral [School].” And then she adds, “I’ve known Orry for a decade, but I still don’t know what his family looks like.”
“Whatever he’s doing is working [for him]. I could make a five-minute documentary on Orry and you still won’t know who he is. He’ll always be a mystery.” Okay then. Or, well, whatever.
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