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 practised 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.”