Karisma Kapoor (born 25 June 1974) is a Bollywood actress. One of the most popular and highest-paid Indian actresses, Kapoor is particularly known for her work in female-centric films and her roles have been credited as a significant departure from the traditional portrayal of women in Hindi films. Kapoor is often regarded as the nation's most beautiful actress, and is the recipient of several accolades, including a National Film Award and four Filmfare Awards.
Born and raised in Mumbai, she is a member of the Kapoor family, where her parents and other relatives are all involved in the Indian film industry. Despite her family background, her father disliked women entering films, and separated from her mother. Kapoor, at the age of seventeen, left her studies to pursue a film career for financial support, and made her acting debut with a leading role in the moderately successful Prem Qaidi (1991). Subsequently, Kapoor starred in a number of box office hits, including the dramas Jigar (1992) and Anari (1993); the comedies Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995) and Saajan Chale Sasural (1996); and the thriller Jeet (1996). However, she was criticised for her brief, repetitive roles and inclination to male-dominated films.