Rishi Kapoor was upset with niece Karisma Kapoor for wearing a swimsuit in Prem Qaidi: ‘Should I wear a saree and jump into the pool?’ | Bollywood News

Karisma Kapoor was known for breaking stereotypes in the industry and giving fierce interviews, back in the 90s. The actor made quite a stir in her debut 1991 film Prem Qaidi, wherein she wore a swimsuit in one of the scenes. However, her uncle and late actor Rishi Kapoor was unhappy with her decision at the age of 15. At the time, it was believed that Kapoor women do not act in cinema despte the family being well-entrenched in the business. Karisma’s mother Babita and actor Neetu Kapoor, married to Rishi Kapoor, both gave up their careers after marrying into the family. However, since then, both Kareena and Karisma Kapoor emerged as the leading ladies with storied careers.
In an old interview with Stardust, which has resurfaced on the internet, she was informed about Rishi thinking that it was unnecessary for her to wear a swimsuit in the movie. To which, Karisma boldly replied, “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. 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. And anyway, what’s wrong in wearing a swimsuit? Don’t other normal teenagers wear it?”
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During the same interview, the Dil Toh Pagal Hai actor also opened up about reports suggesting that her co-star Harish Kumar was upset with her because she grabbed all the limelight. “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? 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?” she said.
Besides Karisma Kapoor and Harish Kumar, Prem Qaidi also featured Dalip Tahil, Paresh Rawal and Asrani in pivotal roles. Karisma went on to star in several hit films in the 90’s after starring in the Murali Mohana Rao directorial.