Karishma Makes Comeback as a Vamp
Pakistan Times Special Report

Bollywood one-time pin-up fascinating girl Karishma Kapoor is bidding to make a comeback to mainstream Bollywood cinema after a frustrating and troublesome 15 months -- as a vamp.

Kapoor, granddaughter of Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor and sister of actress Kareena Kapoor, has kept a low profile since her much-publicised break-up last year with Abhishek Bachchan, son of legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.

At the same time, the first television serial she had acted in, "Karishma: Miracle of Destiny", was embroiled in controversy and legal wrangling over royalty issues, which eventually pushed it into oblivion.

Since then the actress has been in self-imposed exile, the last release to her name being suspense thriller "Baaz - a bird in danger" about a year ago.

Karishma says; she is now back and eager to work in "meaningful" cinema.

Her comeback role is as a vamp in the movie "Mere Jeevan Saathi" (My life Partner) in which she battles the odds to win the man she loves.

The movie sees Karishma and a rival, played by established Bollywood heroine Amisha Patel, aiming to win the affection of action hero Akshay Kumar, a rock singer in the movie.

"This is the first time in my career that I'm playing a negative role," Kapoor said.

"I play the role of a woman who runs a successful music company in the United States. She falls in love with the rock star and then the story revolves around the key players," she added cryptically, preferring not to disclose the plot.

"Mere Jeevan Saathi" is directed by Suneel Darshan and is expected to release nationwide in October.

Kapoor starred in several hits in the nineties, including the Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Dil To Pagal Hai" (The Heart is Crazy), "Raja Hindustani" (An Indian by name, ‘King’), "Coolie No. 1" (Porter Number one) and "Hero No.1".

She also bagged the best actress national award for her role in "Zubeida" by noted movie director Shyam Benegal.

Kapoor said her year's break from the silver screen last year had been necessary.

"I needed the space and time. It was just not possible for me to be shooting round-the-clock for movies. The serial was all the work that I could handle," she said.

After her break up with Bachchan, Kapoor announced her marriage to Delhi-based businessman Sanjay Kapur, but is adamant she will not give up her acting career.

"I am here to stay," said Kapoor, adding, however, that she would now be more choosy about the roles she plays. ●