10 interesting facts about Karisma Kapoor that you probably didn’t know

Hailing from one of the most well-known Bollywood families, one might assume that Karisma Kapoor's journey into the film industry was free of twists and turns. However, Kapoor had her fair share of struggles in her early days, as Kareena Kapoor Khan once revealed in an interview. What pushed her to pursue her passion for acting were her grandfather's words, “It’s glamorous, but it’s not a bed of roses—you will have to work very hard”. On her 47th birthday, here's a look at 10 interesting facts you probably didn’t know about the star.

 1. This is where this got her nickname from

Every ardent Karisma Kapoor fan will tell you that it was Karisma’s mother, Babita Kapoor, who gave her the nickname ‘Lolo’, inspired by Hollywood actor Gina Lollobrigida. But that's not all—Lolo also happens to be named after a sweet treat, which is called ‘loli’, in Sindhi. 

2. Her eye colour is even more unique than you think

Believe it or not, Karisma Kapoor is the first—and only—woman in the Kapoor family's fourth generation to have inherited blue-green eyes. Want to know which fifth generation child the trait passed on to? Kareena Kapoor Khan's son Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi!

3. Here's the story behind some of her career-defining roles

We all remember Kapoor from her breakthrough roles in Raja Hindustani (1996) and Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), but surprisingly, neither of the roles were originally written for her. While the former was meant for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s debut, the latter was offered to Raveena Tandon, Juhi Chawla, Kajol, Manisha Koirala and Shilpa Shetty Kundra before Kapoor took it on, and won a National Award for it. 

4. And these are all the popular roles she's turned down in her journey

From Juhi Chawla's role in Ishq (1997) and Manisha Koirala's role in Gupt (1997) to Kareena Kapoor Khan's Asoka (2001) and Talaash (2012), and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Bride and Prejudice (2004), Kapoor was the first choice for several unforgettable on-screen characters. 

5. Can you guess Karisma's on-screen idols?

Karisma Kapoor has a deep admiration for Madhuri Dixit Nene and Sridevi. She's even had the chance to co-star with them. The star worked with the former in Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), and shared screen space with the latter while making a cameo in Zero (2018).

6.  Movies aren’t the only medium she's ventured into

Apart from being a legend in Bollywood, Kapoor has also appeared on television, where she played the leading role in the series Karishma: The Miracles of Destiny in 2013. After her on-screen success, she turned radio jockey for 92.7 FM radio station. Titled ‘Big Memsaab’, the special segment witnessed Kapoor talking about fashion and lifestyle.

7. You can thank her for introducing you to Coca-Cola

Along with carving a niche for herself in the film fraternity, Kapoor was also the first-ever celebrity from Bollywood to endorse Coca-Cola in India as a brand ambassador. She was also featured in the first international ad for Lux.

 8. This is the skincare regime she swears by

If you’ve wondered how to get glowing skin like Kapoor's, you’re not alone. Her three-step skincare routine includes cleansing, exfoliation and moisturising. What's the secret to her rosy flush? A yoghurt and almond oil face mask, which she likes to leave on for a solid thirty minutes.  

9. And this is the actor's go-to cuisine

A foodie at heart, Kapoor loves to indulge in meals that are both tasty and healthy. While she has a soft spot for Italian food, her all-time favourite cuisine is North Indian. 

 10. Who knew that Karisma believes in numerology?

Like many other celebrities, Kapoor also changed her name by altering its spelling from ‘Karishma’ to ‘Karisma’. While it may seem like a subtle difference, ‘Karishma’ has Sanskrit origins and means ‘miracle’, while ‘Karisma’, meaning ‘favour’ or ‘gift,' has a Greek origin.

Also read: 

17 pictures and videos that take you inside Karisma Kapoor's apartment in Khar, Mumbai

Kareena Kapoor Khan takes us inside her new home in Mumbai with these Instagram pictures

5 lesser-known facts about Saif Ali Khan’s ancestral home, Pataudi Palace