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Karisma Kapoor recalls the struggles of shooting in the 90s, revealing actors had to walk miles for washrooms and change behind bushes.
Karisma Kapoor has opened up about the harsh realities of Bollywood in the 1990s, recalling how actors had no vanity vans, no clean washrooms, and often had to change behind bushes during outdoor shoots.
Karisma Kapoor may have been born into Bollywood’s first family, but her journey in the film industry was anything but privileged. Long before the era of stars travelling with sprawling entourages, multiple vanity vans, and personal chefs, the reality of shooting in the 1990s was starkly different. Comforts we take for granted today—like a private washroom on set—were once unimaginable luxuries.
Debuting at just 16, Karisma quickly learned the grit behind the glamour. Speaking at a Ladies Study Group event last year, she opened up about those early struggles with a mix of nostalgia and disbelief. “Being in the industry for 32 years… I have worked during a time that might seem unbelievable to many of you. We used to change behind bushes. If anyone needed to use the bathroom, we would walk for miles, and the entire unit would whisper, ‘Ah, Ma’am’s going to the loo.’ We have really seen those times,” she recalled.
The actress also painted a vivid picture of how resourceful actors had to be in those days. “We would often stop at roadside shops or knock on someone’s door, asking, ‘Can we change here? We’re shooting for a song outside.’ From that, to see the industry today—with 35 trailers parked outside, the latest digital media, and state-of-the-art sound systems—it’s truly unbelievable,” she said.
Karisma also shared a milestone memory about how filmmaking technology transformed during her career. “We made movies where we only dubbed. The first time I saw myself on a monitor was during the ‘Dance of Envy’ in Dil To Pagal Hai. Before that, we never saw the footage. It was only when the film released on the big screen, in 70mm, that we saw the results,” she revealed, highlighting just how drastically the industry has evolved in less than three decades.
Having grown up in Raj Kapoor’s illustrious household, Karisma has witnessed the evolution of Indian cinema from the inside out. For her, the hardships of the past only make the present-day transformation more remarkable. “I have had the privilege of seeing the industry grow and evolve so much. I am grateful that I can share my own experiences and talk about the incredible progress that Indian cinema has made,” she reflected.
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun…Read More
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun… Read More
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