A look at the Kapoor clan, Part 5 : Karisma, Kareena, Ranbir

Karisma Kapoor----- Talking of the 4th generation, the minds crosses around the green -eyed beauty of bollywood 'Karisma Kapoor'. Breaking the taboo of the Kapoor family, sisters Karisma and Kareena entered the industry with a bang, surely had plans to settle for long. Great grand daughter of Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni Mehra, Karisma surely had the amalgamation of punjabi beauty and immense acting talent that passed on from generation to generation. Karisma, widely known as ‘Lolo' among friends, family and the Bollywood Industry, is the eldest grandchild of Raj Kapoor, the actress has got remarkable resemblance to her granddad. She entered the film industry at the age of 17; breaking the traditions of the Kapoor Khandaan, according to which neither daughters nor daughter-in-laws (post marriage) ever made a career in Bollywood.It is rumoured that Babita Kapoor wanted a successful Bollywood career for her daughters, but Randhir was adamant, hence the couple separated.Karisma in her initial years looked gawky, underweight and with huge eyebrows, which made her task to be a lead actress a bit difficult. During the same period, she was seen in some hits like, Anari, Saajan Chale Sasural, and Raja Babu. It is said that she went to US for some cosmetic surgery and returned back with a new look in Judwaa and Hero No 1. 1996 was the year no one could ever forget, she starred opposite Aamir Khan in Raja Hindustani that was the biggest grosser of the year, a super hit flick, which pushed her up to No. 1 slot of top Bollywood heroines. She remained on top with movies like, Dil to Pagal Hai (1997), for which she received the National Award for Best Supporting Actress. The long list of her career includes, Biwi No.1, Hum Saath Saath Hain, and Haseena Maan Jayegi. The actress before her marriage did flicks like, Fiza , Zubeida , and Shakti , and sought to prove that Acting flows in the veins of Kapoors. She dated Abhishek Bachchan for nearly 8 years, before cementing the relationship with a much publicized engagement announcement made by the Bachchan family on the occasion of Amitabh Bachchan's 60th B'day.However 4 months later the two families announced their split in Feb 2003. The reason for their split was however never disclosed by either families or the prospective couple themselves.Just 7 months after their split, Karisma Kapoor married Delhi businessman Sanjay Kapur on 29th Sep 2003. Karisma is a mother of two - Samaira (7), and Kiaan Raj (3). The couple hit the rough patch soon after the birth of their daughter. They initially did tried working on their marriage, but after the birth of their son, Karisma left Delhi, and shifted her permanent base to Mumbai. Trivia:1. Babita Kapoor had planned to launch her daughter opposite Bobby Deol in Barsaat. But due to some reasons that included ego tussle between Babita Kapoor and the film's producer, Karisma dropped the film, which went on to be Twinkle Khanna's debut. 2. Aishwarya Rai was supposed to make her debut with Raja Hindustani, but due to her Miss World competition dates, she let go of the film, which was then taken up by Karisma Kapoor. The film remains to be the biggest hike in Karisma's Bollywood career.3. The name ‘Lolo' was adapted from Hollywood actress Gina Lollobrigida. 4. Not many know this but the actress dated actor Ajay Devgn too.5. Karisma Kapoor is the only woman in her family and the continuous 5th generation to have green eyes.6. Rani Mukherjee's role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was initially offered to Karisma. But mummy Babita was not in favour of giving such a tiny role to her daughter.7. When in Delhi, during her cousin Ridhima Kapoor's marriage, Karisma didn't attend any ceremony or the marriage because her mother Babita and sister Kareena were not invited. 8. She accepted the critical role in Dil to Pagal Hai, after almost all the leading actresses of Bollywood declined that role including, Madhuri, Aishwarya, Rani Mukherjee.Kareena Kapoor----Kareena, the second daughter of Randhir and Babita Kapoor, was born on 21st Sep 1980, and was nicknamed ‘Bebo' by her mother. The actress, unlike now, had a chubby and weighty past. From a very early age, she had been in the spotlight. Kareena used to accompany her sister on the latter's film sets. It is there that she admits, her friendship with Salman Khan, and Saif Ali Khan began. The actress was approached to star opposite Hrithik Roshan in his debut Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, but her mother Babita felt that the movie was a big launch for Hritik Roshan, that might overshadow her daugther's career. Therefore she didn't let Kareena choose ‘KNPH' instead she chose ‘Refugee' to be her debut.It was only her film with best friend Tushaar Kapoor, ‘Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai' that cemented her talent in the industry. In the initial years of her career, she was touted as a healthy and chubby actress. She started dating beau Shahid Kapoor during the filming of Fida, during which she turned into a full time veggie and started Yoga. Kareena, Shahid's liplock MMS was the rage in those times. Films like Ajnabee and Aitraaz brought the much needed critical attention to this talented Kapoor daughter. Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met sort of relaunched Kareena Kapoor in a whole new avatar. As a new, slender looking actress, Kareena acted her natural self. The film is amongst the biggest grossers of all times. Soon, during the film's promotional activities she broke up with Shahid Kapoor. With ‘Tashan' , the actress started a trend for size zero-figure. She started dating her co-star of the film Saif Ali Khan. Next in line was her film ‘Kambhakt Ishq', that was a huge box-office failure but garnered major recognition in the overseas market. In 2012, she did Madhur Bhandarkar's film ‘Heroine' which was left mid-way by actress Aishwarya Rai due to her pregnancy. The director claimed this would be Kareena's major turn as an actress before her marriage to Saif Ali Khan. The film was however a disappointment for her fans.After 5 years of live-in relationship, Kareena finally married actor Saif Ali Khan on 16th October 2012 in a much publicized wedding. Soon after her marriage to Saif, she became the Begum of Pataudi clan.Trivia:1. When Babita was pregnant with Kareena, she was reading a book ‘Anna Karenina'. Inspired from the title she gave her the name Kareena.2. Her marriage to actor Saif Ali Khan was the biggest celebrity event in 2012. 3. She refused to act opposite Hritik Roshan in his debut Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. She had a brief affair with him during their film, ‘Main Prem ki Deewani Hoon'.4. Her friends list includes, best friend Amrita Arora, Esha Deol, and Konkana Sen Sharma.5. She started living secretly in a live-in relationship with Saif Ali Khan soon after Jab We Met.6. Kareena tuned down the role in Pride and Prejudice, which later went to Aishwarya Rai.7. She, being a true Punjabi, is a big foodie and likes, paranthas, Chinese cuisine, momos and pastas. She regulates them by doing Yoga.8. Broke the taboo in Kapoor Khandaan by working in Bollywood industry.9. It is rumoured that as a child she attended Saif Ali Khan's marriage to first wife Amrita Singh, whom she later married in 2012.10. She underwent intense training in sword fighting for the historical movie Asoka with Shah Rukh Khan. the movie was a box office disaster.11. With Jab We Met, she got her first Filmfare award.Ranbir Kapoor----This fourth generation Kapoor has already proven that he does belong to the first family of Bollywood, with varied performances in films from Saawariya to Rockstar.Born to actors Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, Ranbir Kapoor is the great grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor, grandson of Raj Kapoor, and nephew to Randhir Kapoor. He has a sister Riddhima. Ranbir made his debut on the big screen in the year 2007 with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya, opposite Sonam Kapoor. Ranbir became famous for his towel scene.Ranbir Kapoor showed his powerful acting in romantic comedy Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani with Katrina Kaif which was one of the biggest grossers of the year. The next was Shimit Amin's drama Rocket Singh:Salesman of the year which proved to be a moderate success at the box office. In 2010 Ranbir proved himself as an immense versatile actor in Prakash Jha's Rajneeti which was considered to be his biggest commercial success. With Rockstar in 2011, he made the role of Jordan live with confidence and conviction that it becomes easy to forget that he is an actor but Jordan. Ranbir played the role of a deaf man in his film Barfi! . This movie has been nominated as India's entry in the category of 'Best Foreign Language Film' at the Oscars in February next year.Trivia:1.He is well trained in Jazz and Ballet.2.Has undergone diction, dance and horse riding classes.3. His diet plan is designed by his mother.4. He still continues to take Rs 1,500 per week pocket money from his mother (Uff!)5. He often cries, but never admits to it in public. 6. Shares his name with his grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor (his full name was Ranbir Raj Kapoor).