In a candid reflection on how Bollywood has evolved over the last 40-50 years, renowned actress Karisma Kapoor opened up about the significant technological and infrastructural changes the film industry has undergone. The actress, who currently serves as a judge on the popular reality TV show ‘India’s Best Dancer Season 4,’ shared her experiences from an era when luxury amenities like vanity vans were a rare privilege for actors.
Karisma Kapoor, celebrated for her memorable performances in films such as ‘Andaz Apna Apna,’ ‘Coolie No.1,’ and ‘Raja Hindustani,’ took a nostalgic trip down memory lane. She recalled how rudimentary the facilities were during the early days of her career. “When we started out, there were no vanity vans,” she reminisced. This made changing outfits for scenes and even basic necessities like using the restroom quite challenging for actors and crew members alike. Kapoor’s anecdotes paint a vivid picture of the substantial advancements that have revolutionized Indian cinema.
The actress did not merely focus on the lack of amenities but highlighted key technological strides that have significantly impacted filmmaking. One such breakthrough that Karisma vividly remembers is the introduction of on-set monitors. “The first film where I got to work with a monitor was ‘Dil To Pagal Hai.’ It was during the ‘dance of envy’ shot,” she said. Directed by the legendary Yash Chopra, the film featured advanced equipment that allowed actors and directors to review the shots instantly. “We were thrilled and thought, ‘Really? We could see what we have done in a shot,’” she added, reminiscing about the excitement that came with this capability.
Karisma’s debut in the film industry was marked by her role in ‘Prem Qaidi,’ where she started at the tender age of 16, opposite newcomer Harish Kumar in 1991. Her journey since then has been remarkable, witnessing and contributing to the progressions in Bollywood.
Another significant milestone she mentioned was working on Hindi cinema’s first sync-sound film, ‘Zubeidaa,’ directed by Shyam Benegal. “I saw another milestone.
. The first film with sync-sound was ‘Zubeidaa,’” she noted. Karisma explained that this technological innovation marked a major shift from the conventional studio dubbing process to recording dialogues live on set using lapel mics. “It was the first movie where we put on lapel mics for ‘real life sound,’” she said. This change not only made scenes more immersive but also added profound depth to the narratives by capturing the natural expressions and sounds on the sets.
Looking back, she expressed amazement at the number of vanity vans now prevalent on the sets of modern productions. “The number of vans that are parked outside the sets of this show… We didn’t have anything like this. We used to go behind a tree and change our outfits for a scene, sometimes we went to the loo,” she shared. Her accounts offer an early glimpse into the industry’s evolution, emphasizing how far it has come in enhancing the working conditions for actors and the crew.
As a judge on ‘India’s Best Dancer Season 4,’ Karisma appears alongside fellow judges Terence Lewis and Geeta Kapoor. Her presence and insights bring an added depth to the show, reflecting her extensive experience and illustrious career in the film industry. Despite the drastic changes in Bollywood’s working environment and technology, Karisma’s dedication and passion for her craft remain as strong as ever.
Karisma Kapoor’s reflections serve as a testament to the dynamic nature of the film industry and its ability to adapt and grow. From the days of no vanity vans and rudimentary facilities to the advent of sync-sound and on-set monitors, Bollywood has indeed traversed a long path of significant advancements. Kapoor’s anecdotes not only provide a nostalgic journey for those familiar with the old ways but also enlighten younger generations about the industry’s historical progress.
This news story underscores the evolution and continuous innovation in Bollywood, as observed through the eyes of one of its beloved icons, Karisma Kapoor.
