January 30th, 2009
Karisma Kapur has revived her career with a stint as judge on the Indian reality show Nach Baliye, screening in England this month. Here she explains her plans for the future.
What prompted you to make a comeback through a TV show?
First of all, let me clarify that it is not a comeback. In Hollywood, actresses like Julia Robberts and Meryl Streep come in movies once inthree to five years, but nobody says that they are making a comeback. I had just taken a break and I am back after it.
TV is a huge medium and the gap between film and TV has narrowed down. Today all my colleagues like Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan are on TV.
What’s more, I love dancing. See people have judged me on my dances in the movies, but this time I am on the other side and am enjoying it.
You were among the first actors to act on a TV serial. Karisma-A Miracle of Destiny. Any plans of doing another serial?
Not as of now. I need to have a good script to decide on anything.
What about films?
I have got a lot of offers, but I haven’t found anything interesting. I am lucky to have done a variety of roles in my career and even now I am looking for something different. It could be a comedy or an emotional story but, it has to touch my heart.
Any film with your sister Kareena in the offer?
No. But I would surely love to work with her. I am just waiting for the right kind of script to come my way.
The hall mark of the reality shows is the fight between the judges and contestants. What is your take on that?
I feel in a reality show lot of emotions are at play. There is a reaction to every action. But, frankly, I have never thought about it seriously. I am being very fair and honest in my judgments.
We have heard that you are sporting a new look designed by Manish Malhotra?
That’s right. I am in a completely different avatar. You will have to watch it to see it.
Who according to you is the best dancer in Bollywood?
In today’s time it is undoubtedly Kareena.
If you had to judge Kareena & Saif dancing, how would you rate them?
(Laughs) For that Saif and Kareena have to dance together for me to judge them.
Who was your favourite couple in previous seasons of Nach Baliye?
Sachin & Supriya Pilgaonkar are the best till date, they were the best as a couple, so never mind whatever their ages are. Reality shows are ‘in’ these days. These days It does not take long for the participants to adjust to it. I have seen other judges on the show earlier and have been applying myself well.
What kind of judge do you think you are?
I think I always look at encouraging the dancers because that is what drives people towards the show. It is tough to perform well when you are criticized time and again. All the three judges, Farah, Arjun and me, try to be honest as far as possible, and do not have any favourite contestants among the participants.
How do you feel judging the show with your other colleagues, Farah and Arjun?
Having worked before with Farah, the chemistry is easy and having done stage shows with Arjun it has not be difficult to tune in with him too.
Will you be performing in Nach Baliye 4?
Yes, I will be dancing in forthcoming episodes of Nach Baliye, but I cannot give you the details on the same.
Would you be acting on the show?
No. Nthing is scripted and that is one of the reasons that I have picked up this show. I am not comfortable with doing drama on the screen. We judges keep taking each other on the screen, but there is no on screen drama of judges walking out or loud reactions.
Would you like to take up another TV show again apart from Nach Baliye 4?
If I want to come back I will host a television show soon.
