When B’Day girl Kareena Kapoor Khan got candid on carrying the Kapoor legacy with Karisma before Ranbir

The Kapoor family’s name is woven into Bollywood’s history- from Prithviraj Kapoor to Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Sashi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor, the clan’s male members long defined its public legacy. For decades, the narrative was dominated by sons and brothers until Karisma Kapoor stepped in and changed the script. As the first Kapoor woman to rise to mainstream stardom, she opened the door for her younger sister Kareena, who would soon carve her own path- all of this unfolding well before Ranbir Kapoor entered the scene.

Bebo On Carrying the Legacy

Earlier, speaking with Mojo Story, Kareena reflected on the sisters’ role in continuing the family name: “I think we’ve carried on the Kapoor legacy. It was only me and Karisma before Ranbir came in. So the two girls, actually like my mother says, they’re not tigresses, they are tigers because they did take the legacy forward.”

Her words underline a quiet revolution: Karisma opened the door, Kareena walked through it - and together they broadened what it means to be a Kapoor in contemporary Bollywood.

Karisma: The Trailblazer

Karisma made her film debut with Prem Qaidi (1991) and gradually built a portfolio that blended mass appeal with strong screen presence. She became a leading lady of the 1990s with memorable films such as Raja Hindustani, Dil To Pagal Hai and Biwi No. 1. Her success reshaped expectations inside a family long associated with male stars and proved a Kapoor woman could headline big-ticket cinema while winning both audience affection and critical attention.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Karisma Kapoor (@therealkarismakapoor)

Kareena: Shaping Her Own Identity

Kareena Kapoor Khan debuted in J.P. Dutta’s Refugee (2000) and moved quickly from newcomer to one of Bollywood’s most bankable actresses. She impressed in ensemble hits like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, delivered a starkly powerful performance in Chameli, and charmed audiences in Jab We Met. She has balanced mainstream entertainers with nuanced, daring roles, demonstrating range and staying power that established her as a modern screen icon.