Karisma Kapoor on her kids, Kareena Kapoor Khan and more

Karisma Kapoor recently won rave reviews for playing a yummy, yuppie mom, Meira Sharma, in the Ekta Kapoor produced web series Mentalhood. The series was all about a gaggle of mommies, played by Karisma, Sandhya Mridul, Shilpa Shukla, Tillotama Shome, and a single dad, played by a still hot-looking Dino Morea, trying to raise their kids in a fast-changing world. Karisma’s own mother, yesteryear star Babita, was kind of known as a ‘Tiger Mom’. Fiercely ambitious, she’s said to have pushed both her daughters hard to reach where they have. Karisma, a mother of two children, daughter Samiera and son Kiaan Raj Kapoor, though not as go-getting, is undeniably devoted. Her own experience, as well as the influences of her mother, have helped her shape her as a mother and a woman. Excerpts from a heart-to-heart interview with the talented actor and super mom…

What made you say yes to Mentalhood after such a long sabbatical?
When Ekta Kapoor offered me the series, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to do it. But after hearing the script, I agreed. I want people to know what I go through on a daily basis. I want to tell audiences they aren’t alone. That we, as parents, are going through this journey together. This is the show which every woman, every mother, young girls, old people… can identify with. Either they’ve been through this or are currently experiencing it or will experience it in the near future. In each episode, we dealt with sensitive and relevant topics like bullying, surrogacy, adoption, being a ‘tiger mom’, single parenting... The topics are serious but the narrative is humorous.

How did your children, Samiera and Kiaan, react to you take on a new medium?
They were like if Mama’s happy, we’re happy. They’re excited I’m working again. I wasn’t nervous at all. It’s been a great journey for me. I’ve done some great films. The audience has loved me. I’m thankful for that.
I like doing new things. I’ve done a radio show before. I’ve done TV. Now it’s the web. The digital medium is a different platform. It’s more creative. It gives you a voice. The webspace is a perfect balance of film and television.

How was it facing the camera after a long gap?
I do face the camera regularly for ad shoots. So it isn’t a big gap as such. I enjoyed playing a mom. There were children around on the set. I was involved at every level of the project. Even while scripting was on, I gave suggestions as a mom,
I would do this or wouldn’t do this. It was interesting to draw from my own experience.


You put your career aside to be with your kids...
Yes. That was the choice I made. I wanted to be with my kids. Motherhood completely changes you as a woman. Your children become your priority. Work is secondary for me. It’s all about rushing back home and being with them. Nothing’s more important than that. Since the kids are older now, I’ve taken up acting again. Yet I’m selective about it.

Do you ever regret giving up your career at the peak?
No, I don’t. I started working at a young age. In that period, I did a lot of work. Those days we used to do three-four shifts a day. I’d be working day and night, round the clock for months together. I was ambitious too. I wanted to be on the top. I enjoyed reaching it. I left after achieving what I wanted to. So, there are no regrets. That's because I believe in going with the flow and living to the fullest.

How like or unlike are you from your mother Babita?
I’m quite like my mom. As I grow older, I appreciate her more. She gave us a strong value system, which remains rooted in us. Respect for elders, spending time with family, a strong work ethic…all these I’ve imbibed from her. Hopefully, I’ve passed these on to my kids. Often when I say something to my kids, I turn around and tell my mother,
‘Look I’m sounding just like you’.

Something specific you learnt from your mother?
I learnt simple things from my mother. Be an honest person, maintain integrity of character… remain focussed, work hard and value money. You can come from anywhere; you can do anything. But your basic value system has to be strong.

Is it tough being a single mom?
I see everything positively. I try and manage everything. (Smiles) You can see I am constantly on the phone with my kids even as I’m doing the interview. I’m multi-tasking. In that case, you can call me a supermom.

How do you manage to juggle work and home?
If you know your priorities, you can work out everything. I’m clear about not working on Sundays. It’s a family day. Today production houses understand that as there are so many working moms, like my sister (Kareena Kapoor Khan). So they’re accommodating.

You share a special bond with Kareena...
Yes, we’ve always been extremely close. We’re like any two sisters. We talk about everything – the price of vegetables, what’s happening in the kitchen, with the drivers, parenting tips... Things sisters normally share. We also share fashion tips, what’s happening at a shoot. Kareena has set an example for the future generations – please have a private life, get married, have children and you can still be at the top of your game. You can still work and you can still look your best.


What kind of a mother are you?
I’m a protective mom. But I won’t call myself a Tiger Mom. I’m disciplined.
I guess my mom was a big disciplinarian. It helped me in my career and in shaping the way I am as a person. I like having a conversation with the children after school, whilst having dinner.
I make it a point to spend quality time with them every day. I pay total attention to them when I’m with them. I enjoy their company.

Do you cook for them?
Yes, I do. I try my best. When they’re younger, you have to make the food look interesting. But now they’ve become health conscious and are forever reading up on better eating habits. I learn so much from them. This generation is so intelligent. Many a time they tell me something isn’t healthy and suggest better alternatives.

In the last few years cinema has more scope for female actors. Do you agree?
There have always been good roles for actresses. Right from Mother India and Mughal-E-Azam, which are remembered today for their female leads. I too moved from Dil Toh Pagal Hai to Raja Hindustani, Fiza, Zubeidaa... doing different roles. Actresses of all ages are getting to do interesting roles today. Also, you can do TV,
web series… the options are many.

What’s next on the cards?
I don’t plan anything. But yes, I do enjoy doing comedy. I can’t talk right now about it. Let the producers make the announcement.