In what turned into a revelatory moment during a candid group discussion, Bollywood’s eminent actress Karisma Kapoor, known for her charismatic performances in the realm of Indian cinema, recently pronounced the correct way to articulate her name. In the presence of journalists and co-stars, Karisma Kapoor meticulously emphasized that her name should resonate as ‘Karizzma,’ distancing it from the often misheard ‘Karishma.’ This phonetic clarity delineates her name more closely with the word ‘charisma,’ as opposed to ‘Karishma’ which translates to ‘miracle’ in Hindi.
The disclosure unfolded during an engaging roundtable hosted by renowned storyteller and journalist Neelesh Misra. Amidst the conversation, Kapoor’s elucidation of her name’s pronunciation caught her fellow thespian Pankaj Tripathi off guard, prompting him to express his astonishment with a candid, “Mujhe toh aaj hi pata chala (I had no idea).” Adding to the delightful banter, the young talent Sara Ali Khan interjected, questioning why Karisma had never corrected anyone before. With a touch of resignation laced with humor, Karisma responded, “Because now it’s been forever, call me what you like.”
Karisma Kapoor is no stranger to limelight or success. The actress dominated the silver screens in the 1990s and the early aughts with an array of blockbuster films. Audiences reminisce over her stellar roles in ‘Raja Hindustani’, ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, ‘Raja Babu’, ‘Coolie No 1’, and ‘Judwa’, to name a few. Her presence in Hindi cinema has been marked by not only her critically acclaimed performing arts but also by her nomenclatural uniqueness, which was brought into attention in the recent revelation.
Kapoor continues to embrace challenging roles, exemplified by her part in Homi Adajania’s recently released ‘Murder Mubarak’. The movie, noted for its quirky take on a classic whodunnit, unfolds in the hallowed circles of the Royal Delhi Club. Here, peace and decorum are shattered by a heinous crime, sending ripples through the enclave of the elite. Pankaj Tripathi stars as ACP Bhavani Singh, the relentless and idiosyncratic policeman on a mission to puzzle out the murder, peeling away layers of deception and dark secrets harbored by the club members. He navigates a labyrinth of love, lies, and covert schemes with a roster of suspects, embodied by the talents of Sara Ali Khan, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia, Karisma Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, and Tisca Chopra.
At the film’s trailer launch, director Homi Adajania conversed about the delight in introducing audience members to the oddities of the Delhi Royal Club and its peculiar clientele. Appreciating the unique intergenerational cast, Adajania assured that come this March, ‘Murder Mubarak’ would be presented to viewers, promising an entertainment package rife with laughter, intrigue, and a series of puzzle pieces to fit together.
Based on the book ‘Club You To Death’ by Anuja Chauhan, the film ‘Murder Mubarak’ has been produced under the banner of Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, having made its debut on the streaming service Netflix on March 15.
Following her role in this multifaceted mystery, Karisma Kapoor is set to feature in an upcoming series titled ‘Brown’. This promising venture, directed by Abhinay Deo, who is lauded for ‘Delhi Belly’, orbits around the grim and complex lives of Rita Brown, a suicidal alcoholic, and Arjun Sinha, a widower plagued by survivor’s guilt, while they cross paths with a relentless serial killer.
Karisma Kapoor’s elucidation of her name serves as a reminder of the nuances and personal identity each individual holds, even as they navigate the world of glamour and cinema. The veteran actress’s upcoming roles reaffirm her commitment to versatile storytelling and dramatic artistry, underscoring yet another chapter in her illustrious career.
