Rishi Kapoor Was Unhappy With Karisma Kapoor’s Swimsuit Scene In Prem Qaidi, She Replied 'How Stupid'
Karisma Kapoor broke Bollywood norms at just 15 with her bold debut in Prem Qaidi (1991). Facing backlash—reportedly even from her uncle Rishi Kapoor—for wearing a swimsuit, Karisma clapped back with confidence: “What did people want me to do? Wear a saree and jump into the pool?”
Long before Bollywood embraced bold choices as part of mainstream cinema, Karisma Kapoor was already making waves. At just 15, she broke barriers with her debut film Prem Qaidi (1991), where a swimsuit scene became a topic of heated debate—particularly within her own family. While the film catapulted her into the spotlight, it also stirred controversy, with her late uncle, actor Rishi Kapoor, reportedly disapproving of her appearance in a swimsuit at such a young age.
In an old Stardust interview that has resurfaced online, Karisma responded unapologetically when asked about Rishi Kapoor’s reservations. “When people saw Prem Qaidi and came out of the theatre, nobody remembered the swimming costume. Everyone was only talking of my performance in the film," she said boldly. “To tell you the truth, what matters most to me is what my parents feel and think. If they didn’t have any objections, why should anyone else have? What did people want me to do? Wear a saree and jump into the pool? How stupid."
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She added, “And anyway, what’s wrong in wearing a swimsuit? Don’t other normal teenagers wear it?"
At the time, Karisma’s decision was especially bold given the unwritten rule that Kapoor women didn’t act in films. Her mother, Babita, and her aunt Neetu Kapoor—Rishi’s wife—had both stepped away from acting after marrying into the family. Karisma’s debut was a significant departure from that norm, and it paved the way for both her and her sister Kareena Kapoor Khan to become two of Bollywood’s leading ladies with celebrated careers.
In the same interview, the Dil To Pagal Hai star also addressed reports that her co-star Harish Kumar was upset about her overshadowing him in Prem Qaidi. With characteristic candor, she said, “The producer of Prem Qaidi, Mr. D. Rama Naidu, himself said that Karisma Kapoor was the hero and the heroine of Prem Qaidi. Is it my fault if he said that? Is it my fault that I got all the credit?"
She continued, “Prem Qaidi is a result of a lot of hard team work. Why should Harish be upset? If I’ve been appreciated more, what can I do? Yes, I said Prem Qaidi was a hit because of me. But that was in a light moment. Also, everyone else in the industry was telling me that. So what’s wrong?"
Starring alongside Harish Kumar, with supporting roles by Dalip Tahil, Paresh Rawal, and Asrani, Prem Qaidi marked the beginning of Karisma’s journey in the film industry. She would go on to become one of the most successful actresses of the 1990s, headlining blockbusters like Raja Hindustani, Biwi No. 1, and Fiza.
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