Beyond the glamour and dance moves lies an actress with depth and skill.
90s Bollywood had a habit of boxing its heroines into a type. You know, the chirpy, glamorous, great at dancing, but rarely taken seriously beyond that. Karisma Kapoor, one of the decade’s biggest stars, often got the same treatment. We remember her for her style, her moves, and her bubbly screen presence. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find an actress with real range, who could hold her own in emotionally charged scenes just as effortlessly as she ruled the dance floor. So on her birthday, let's give credit where it’s due. Let’s revisit five underrated Karisma Kapoor films that prove she is a solid performer too.
'Fiza' sees Karisma Kapoor stepping into the shoes of a young woman searching for her missing brother, Amaan, who disappeared during the 1993 Mumbai riots. The story is steeped in themes like loss, extremism, and the emotional toll of violence, and Karisma beautifully anchors it. As Fiza, she carries the film on her shoulders, quite literally. The pain in her silences, the fierce resolve in her confrontations, and the warmth in her moments with her mother leave you totally spellbound. Her moving performance earned her a Filmfare Best Actress Award, with critics like Mimmy Jain calling it “superbly flawless.”
Despite being a semi-hit with a global box office of Rs 878 million, ‘Fiza’ didn’t go as far as it should have, possibly because of its heavy subject matter. But it remains one of Karisma’s most compelling performances.
In Shyam Benegal’s 'Zubeidaa', Karisma brings to life the story of a spirited Muslim actress who marries into royalty, only to find herself trapped between dreams and societal expectations. It’s a slow-burn biographical drama, and Karisma glows from within. Here, she plays a woman both fragile and fierce, who wants to live freely but is constantly reminded of her place. Karisma portrays this emotional tug-of-war with a haunting vulnerability. Her expressive eyes, restrained body language, and simmering frustration turn Zubeidaa into someone you ache for.
Zubeidaa - Karisma Kapoor pic.twitter.com/1Dtgswl2wk
— Film History Pics (@FilmHistoryPic) May 12, 2020
Credit: Film History Pics
Though it didn’t set the box office on fire, the film earned Karisma a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress and widespread acclaim.
While 'Raja Hindustani' was a massive hit, Karisma’s emotional performance as Aarti often gets lost in the film’s songs and Aamir Khan’s star power. As a rich girl who falls for a humble taxi driver, Karisma evolves from a carefree heiress to a woman navigating a stormy marriage with maturity and heart. She brings depth to what could’ve been a cardboard role. And she matches Aamir scene for scene, especially in moments of conflict and emotional tension. Anupama Chopra called her a “revelation,” and she took home the Filmfare Best Actress Award for it.
19 Years of Raja Hindustani: Do you think @aamir_khan and Karisma Kapoor made a fabulous pair in the film? pic.twitter.com/ZHRQNli3RE
— ETimes (@etimes) November 16, 2015
The film was 1996’s biggest box-office success, pulling in Rs 765 million worldwide. But it’s time we also remember how Karisma gave soul to Aarti.
In 'Shakti: The Power’, Karisma trades glamor for grit. She plays Nandini, a woman trapped in a violent rural feud while trying to protect her son from a dangerous family legacy. It’s a brutal role, emotionally and physically, and Karisma dives in with raw intensity. From the first moment of dread to the last act of defiance, Karisma gives Nandini fire and more importantly, soul. She holds her own opposite a towering presence like Nana Patekar, and their scenes together crackle with tension.
Though it flopped at the box office and got mixed reviews due to its uneven pacing, Karisma’s performance stood out. She even won the Bollywood Movie Award for Most Sensational Actress.
In a decade filled with comedy, 'Haseena Maan Jayegi' stood out, and so did Karisma. As Ritu, she is the perfect blend of mischief and irresistible charm. Paired with Govinda and Sanjay Dutt in David Dhawan’s slapstick universe, she proves that her comic timing is just as sharp as her dance moves. She nails literally every punchline, every confused expression, and every moment of romantic chaos. And her chemistry with Govinda feels endlessly funny.
Credit: Tips Films
While the film was a commercial hit, raking in big numbers in 1999, Karisma’s performance got lost in the ensemble madness. But go back and watch it closely, and you’ll see a masterclass in comedy.
Karisma Kapoor’s journey through Bollywood is anything but one-dimensional. So this birthday, skip the obvious hits and dive into these lesser-celebrated roles that showcase the real Karisma Kapoor, the actress behind the star.
