Kareena Kapoor

**Kareena Kapoor Khan** also known as **Kareena Kapoor** (born on 21 September 1980) is a Hindi film actress. She has acted in several romantic dramas, comedies, crime dramas and thrillers.

## Early life

She is the sister of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor. She is the daughter of Bollywood Actors Randhir Kapoor and Babita. Often informally referred to as 'Bebo', she is the granddaughter of actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor and niece of actor Rishi Kapoor.

## Personal life

She is married to actor Saif Ali Khan.

### Career Beginnings (2000-2003)

Kareena's first acting work in films was in J.P. Dutta's 2000 film, _Refugee_. Featured alongside Abhishek Bachchan, Kapoor played Nazneen 'Naaz' Ahmed, a Bangaldeshi who crosses the Indo-Pakistan border with her family to settle in Pakistan in 1971.

She, then, appeared in Satish Kaushik's hit _Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai_ in 2001. In the same year, Kapoor appeared in four more films: the flop _Yaadein_, the moderately hit thriller _Ajnabee_, the period drama _Asoka_ and the popular melodrama _Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham_.

Kapoor was nominated for the Best Actress at Filmfare Awards for her performance in Asoka for the first time.

In Karan Johar's melodrama, Kapoor played Pooja 'Poo' Sharma, a superficial but good-hearted spoiled girl. The role turned out to be a breakthrough in her career. Over the years, Poo has become a part of Indian pop culture with her dialogues and outfits being actively referred to. Kapoor was also nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at Filmfare for her work.

Post the success of her first two years in the industry, Kapoor faced failure at box office and criticism for her performances. Critics and audience expressed their discontent of her being stereotyped in the slight variations of Poo.

### Artistic Expansion (2004 - 2006)

After her six films that failed commercially post Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kapoor featured in Anant Balani and Sudhir Mishra's _Chameli_. She played a prostitute with the same name - who is observed by a widower investment banker and spends a night with her after his car breaks down in a storm. Critics noted the distinction in her performance from her previous works. It is often looked as her 'coming-of-age' performance as an artist. She received a special jury recognition at the 49th Filmfare Awards.

Later in the same year of 2004, Kapoor appeared in Mani Ratnam's social drama, _Yuva_. The film followed the story of three male youths coming from different strata of the society and their ideologies towards politics and society. Kapoor played the character of the free-spirited Meera, who is pursued by Arjun played by Vivek Oberoi. While being a relatively short role, Kapoor was praised for being charming and natural. The same year, Kapoor appeared in Govind Nihalani's drama _Dev_, where she played Aaliya, a victim of communal riots. Her performance met further critical praise - and she received the Filmfare Award for the Best Actress (Critics'). Later, in the year, she featured in a negative role in the action-thriller, _Fida_ - alongside Shahid Kapoor and Fardeen Khan. She concluded the year with Abbas-Mustan's thriller _Aitraaz_ and Priyadarshan's comedy, _Hulchul_.

In 2005, Kapoor appeared in three films: the musical romantic-drama, _Bewafaa_ with Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor and Sushmita Sen, the romantic drama _Kyon Ki_ with Salman Khan and Rimi Sen and another romantic drama _Dosti: Friends Forever._

The following year, Kapoor appeared in the hit ensemble mystery-comedy, _36 China Town_, alongside Shahid Kapoor. They worked for the third time (the first being in _Fida_) in the romantic comedy, _Chup Chup Ke_.

Vishal Bhardwaj envisioned Kareena as Desdemona in his Hindi adaptation of William Shakespeare's Othello, titled _Omkara_. Hailed by critics unanimously, Omkara was screened at the Cairo International Film Festival. Kareena played Dolly Mishra, a naive, young and extremely beautiful girl who falls in love with the gangster Omkara - played by Ajay Devgan. Critics noted her restraint and emotional depth. She herself considers her performance to be one of her best, citing it to be one of the most remarkable points in her career.

### Established star and icon (2007-2012)

Post the critical success of Omkara, Kareena took a break from work. She wanted to act in a more substantial role that interested her as an artist. This came in the form of Imitiaz Ali's hit romantic comedy _Jab We Met_. Released in 2007, Kareena portrayed the character of the talkative and chirpy girl, Geet, who meets a depressed and suicidal Aditya on a train. She appeared with Shahid Kapoor for the fourth time. Hailed altogether by critics and audience, Jab We Met became a successful venture with Kareena receiving universal praise. Critics noted the difficult of playing a breezy, energetic character with ease and charm. Over the years, Geet has become an iconic character from the Hindi film industry - with her outfits and dialogues being regularly quoted and referred to.

The next year, Kareena appeared in the action-comedy, _Tashan_ - alongside Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. Touted to be one of the biggest films of 2008, Tashan under-performed at the box office and received harsh reviews. For the preparation of the film, Kareena underwent intense exercising and physical transformation. Her 'size zero' phase became a subject of wide media coverage. The same year, she appeared in Rohit Shetty's ensemble comedy, _Golmaal Returns_. The film was a commercial success.

In 2009, Kapoor appeared alongside Akshay Kumar in the romantic comedy, _Kambakkht Ishq_. The film was a moderate success on the box office but mostly opened to negative reviews. She next appeared in Prem Soni's _Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna_ - alongside Salman Khan and Sohail Khan. The film was a critical failure and could not earn for its budget either.

## Infobox (person)

- **name**: Kareena Kapoor Khan
- **image**: Kareena at LFW16.jpg
- **alt**: Kareena Kapoor smiling away from camera
- **caption**: Kapoor at the Times of India Film Awards, TOIFA Awards in 2016
- **birth place**: Bombay, Maharashtra, India
- **nationality**: Indian people, Indian
- **years active**: 2000–present
- **children**: 1
- **relatives**: See Kapoor family