Karisma Kapoor, the illustrious actress known for her sterling performances in iconic movies like ‘Andaz Apna Apna’, ‘Coolie No.1’, and ‘Raja Hindustani’, recently took a nostalgic journey through the transformative years of the Hindi film industry. While serving as a judge on the popular dancing reality show ‘India’s Best Dancer Season 4’, Kapoor shared her insights on how the industry has evolved over the past 40 to 50 years, underscoring the dramatic changes she has witnessed firsthand.
The Bollywood veteran, who commenced her acting career at the tender age of 16 with the film ‘Prem Qaidi’ in 1991, opened up about the stark contrasts between the industry’s early days and the present. One notable memory she recalled was the absence of vanity vans, a now-essential part of film sets. “The number of vans parked outside the sets of this show is astonishing,” she said. “We didn’t have anything like this back in the day. We used to go behind a tree and change our outfits for a scene, and sometimes even went to the loo behind a tree. Our industry has certainly come a long way in the last 40-50 years.”
Kapoor also reminisced about her experiences of technological advancements in the industry. She highlighted her involvement in the 1997 blockbuster ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, directed by Yash Chopra, where she experienced the use of a monitor for the first time. This was during the iconic “dance of envy” scene, with Aditya Chopra and Uday Chopra also present on the sets. “Yash ji got the monitor, and we were all thrilled. We thought, ‘Really? We could see what we have done in a shot.’ We were ecstatic and amazed by the technology,” she recalled with fondness.
Further elaborating on the technological milestones in her career, Kapoor spoke about her first foray into sync-sound filmmaking with Shyam Benegal’s ‘Zubeidaa’. “The first sync-sound film I worked on was ‘Zubeidaa’,” she said. “It was a significant departure from the traditional studio dubbing. We used lapel mics for real-life sound recording on set.
. This not only added depth to the narrative but also made the scenes far more immersive.” Sync-sound technology marked a pivotal shift in filmmaking, allowing dialogues to be recorded live during filming, thus ensuring a more authentic delivery and natural performance from actors.
Throughout her career spanning over three decades, Kapoor has observed the broader dynamics and the changing landscape of the film industry. From rudimentary facilities to cutting-edge technology, she has seen it all. Speaking of her observations, she remarked, “It’s incredible to witness where we started and where we are now. The professionalism, technical advancements, and the luxuries we have on set today were unimaginable back then.”
Kapoor also addressed the evolution of roles and scripts in Bollywood. She noted that earlier, film scripts were often simplistic and lacked the depth seen today. Now, there is a greater emphasis on character development and narratives that resonate with a global audience. This evolution has allowed actors to explore more complex roles, thereby pushing the boundaries of their craft.
On the set of ‘India’s Best Dancer Season 4’, where she judges alongside Terence Lewis and Geeta Kapoor, the actress lauded the young talent and their access to modern facilities and training methods. “The new generation is incredibly talented and has opportunities we never dreamed of. With access to world-class training, advanced equipment, and global exposure through digital platforms, their potential is limitless,” she said.
In a closing note, Kapoor expressed her gratitude for her journey and the industry’s progress. “I feel fortunate to have been a part of this industry’s evolution. It’s been a learning experience, and witnessing the transition has been remarkable. From the days of changing costumes behind trees to having luxurious vanity vans, it’s an evolution that speaks volumes about the growth we’ve achieved.”
Karisma Kapoor’s reflections provide a valuable perspective on the drastic transformations within Bollywood, a testament to the unyielding progress of the film industry. Her career, marked by adaptability and resilience, mirrors the dynamic shifts that have shaped Bollywood into a global cinematic powerhouse.
