Karisma Kapoor Birthday Special: 5 Must Watch Films of the Bollywood Actress
Karisma Kapoor defied conventions by becoming the first woman from the Kapoor lineage to pursue a full-fledged acting career. Debuting in 1991 with 'Prem Qaidi', she carved a niche for herself, captivating audiences with her versatility, dance, and screen presence. On Karisma Kapoor's 52nd birthday on June 25, we take a look at her five best films.
Born on June 25, 1974, into the illustrious Kapoor family of Bollywood, Karisma Kapoor defied conventions by becoming the first woman from her lineage to pursue a full-fledged acting career. Debuting in 1991 with Prem Qaidi, she quickly carved a niche for herself, captivating audiences with her versatility, dance prowess, and remarkable screen presence. In 2026, Karisma Kapoor was seen in the lead in the acclaimed web series, Brown, on ZEE5. ‘Brown’ Series Review: Karisma Kapoor, Jisshu Sengupta, Surya Sharma Serve Masterclass in Acting in Gripping Murder Mystery (LatestLY Exclusive).
Karisma Kapoor Best Films
On Karisma Kapoor's 52nd birthday, June 25, 2026, we celebrate her enduring legacy by revisiting five unforgettable films that highlight her brilliance.
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'Raja Hindustani' (1996)
Dharmesh Darshan's romantic drama Raja Hindustani marked a significant turning point in Karisma Kapoor's career. Released on November 15, 1996, the film saw her portray Aarti Sehgal, a wealthy young woman who falls in love with a humble taxi driver, Raja, played by Aamir Khan. Her performance was widely acclaimed, earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Produced by Ali Morani, Karim Morani, and Bunty Soorma under the Cineyug Films banner, with music by Nadeem-Shravan, Raja Hindustani was a colossal commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1996 with a worldwide collection of INR 76.34 crore. The film is available to stream on Prime Video. ‘India’s Best Dancer’ Season 5: Karisma Kapoor Returns As Judge; Premiere Date and Full Judging Panel Revealed (Watch Video).Â
Key Details:
- Release Date: November 15, 1996
- Director: Dharmesh Darshan
- Producer: Ali Morani, Karim Morani, Bunty Soorma
- Cast: Aamir Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Suresh Oberoi, Archana Puran Singh, Johnny Lever
- Box Office:Â INR 76.34 crore (worldwide)
- Awards: Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Karisma Kapoor).
'Dil To Pagal Hai' (1997)
Yash Chopra's musical romance Dil To Pagal Hai, released on October 30, 1997, showcased Karisma Kapoor in a different light as Nisha, a passionate dancer caught in a love triangle alongside Shah Rukh Khan's Rahul and Madhuri Dixit's Pooja. Her portrayal earned her both the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Produced and directed by Yash Chopra under Yash Raj Films, with music by Uttam Singh, the film was a blockbuster, grossing INR 71.86 crore worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of 1997.
Key Details:
- Release Date: October 30, 1997
- Director: Yash Chopra
- Producer: Yash Chopra
- Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Karisma Kapoor, Akshay Kumar
- Box Office: INRÂ 71.86 crore (worldwide)
- Awards: National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress (Karisma Kapoor), Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress (Karisma Kapoor).
'Biwi No. 1' (1999)
David Dhawan's hit comedy Biwi No. 1, released on May 28, 1999, proved Karisma Kapoor's impeccable comic timing. She starred as Pooja Mehra, a devoted wife whose life is disrupted by her husband's infidelity. The film, also featuring Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Tabu, and Sushmita Sen, was produced by Vashu Bhagnani for Pooja Entertainment. With music by Anu Malik, Biwi No. 1,was a major commercial success, collecting INR 52.80 crore worldwide. Karisma Kapoor's performance garnered a Filmfare Best Actress nomination, while Sushmita Sen won Best Supporting Actress.
Key Details:
- Release Date: May 28, 1999
- Director: David Dhawan
- Producer: Vashu Bhagnani
- Cast: Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Tabu, Sushmita Sen
- Box Office: INRÂ 52.80 crore (worldwide)
- Awards: Nominated for Filmfare Best Actress (Karisma Kapoor)
'Fiza' (2000)
Fiza, directed by Khalid Mohamed and released on September 8, 2000, allowed Karisma Kapoor to delve into a more intense and dramatic role. She delivered a critically acclaimed performance as Fiza Ikramullah, a determined sister searching for her brother, Amaan (Hrithik Roshan), who disappeared during the 1993 Mumbai riots. Produced by Pradeep Guha under The Culture Company and UTV Motion Pictures, the film's music was composed by Anu Malik with a guest track by AR Rahman. Fiza was a commercial success, grossing INR 32.2 crore worldwide. Her powerful acting earned her another Filmfare Award for Best Actress. The film is available on Apple TV.
Key Details:
- Release Date: September 8, 2000
- Director: Khalid Mohamed
- Producer: Pradeep Guha
- Cast: Karisma Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Jaya Bachchan
- Box Office: INRÂ 32.2 crore (worldwide)
- Awards: Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Karisma Kapoor).
'Zubeidaa' (2001)
Shyam Benegal's biographical drama Zubeidaa, released on January 19, 2001, is often cited as one of Karisma Kapoor's finest performances. She portrayed the titular character, an aspiring actress who marries into royalty, navigating a complex life filled with personal challenges. The film, produced by Farouq Rattonsey and distributed by Yash Raj Films, featured music by AR Rahman. Zubeidaa garnered critical acclaim, winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. Karisma Kapoor's nuanced portrayal earned her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.
Key Details:
- Release Date: January 19, 2001
- Director: Shyam Benegal
- Producer: Farouq Rattonsey
- Cast: Karisma Kapoor, Rekha, Manoj Bajpayee, Rajit Kapur, Amrish Puri
- Box Office: INRÂ 5.6 crore
- Awards: Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress (Karisma Kapoor), National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi (as film).
Karisma Kapoor's filmography is a testament to her talent and range, from commercial blockbusters to critically acclaimed dramas. Her impactful contributions continue to inspire new generations in Bollywood.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 02:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
