Hailing from The Royal Family of Bollywood, Kareena Kapoor obviously had acting in her genes. Though the firebrand actress decided on law and commerce first, the greatest of stars predicted her fame ever since she modelled around sets and sister Karisma’s makeup van. She was all set to be crowned as the queen, even before her debut film Refugee released, and fittingly, she impressed everyone with her natural acting ability. She immediately proclaimed “I want to be an actress and not a star”. And she made a point of proving it, carrying off many diverse roles with ease. However, that’s not where it ended. Karan Johar rightly said that “She can Be Glamourous and She can Be Real”, as she has made her mark not only as one of the finest actress of the past decade, but the most stylish one too.
The rise to fame was never easy. But when the going got tough, Kareena got tougher. The critics panned her, She gave them Chameli. They said she’s a flop actress, she Proved them wrong with Jab We Met. Emerging as a phoenix time and time again, she’s beaten her competition to remain as the only actress ruling for over a decade without the commercial success required to stay at the top. Taking a look at her 13 years, we’ve decided to pick out the best of her performances. But it seems each is better than the last. With a resume that speaks volumes, we present to you the top thirteen of Kareena Kapoor, as we See it.
Jab We Met:
An uninamous numero uno, this gem of a film displays her talent at its best. Moving from Comic to emotional scenes with Ease, Kareena brings the iconic Geet alive onscreen, in a way no other actress could. From the heights of mania, to the deepest sorrows, to delightful innocence, and intense fury, and sizzling chemistry, the film took the actress within her on a journey like never before. It took no one by surprise when she swept the awards for this one.
The best Scene: Kuthe, Kaminey, Saale Soovar ki Alaug
Critics verdict: “Kareena is in top form as well. JAB WE MET is a turning point in her career [personally as well as professionally]. Fantabulous -- that's the right word to describe her work this time. The confidence with which she handles the contrasting characterization speaks volumes. This film should do for her what KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI did for Kajol.”
Chameli
Coming in at a close second is Sudhir Mishra’s Chameli. This was truly the first film to tap her raw talent. Essaying the role of a streetwalker isn’t the easiest of tasks, for someone who’s grown up in a protected life. However Bebo took up the challenge sportingy and played the soulful prostitute to perfection. And that’s a sign of a true artist, not being able to relate to the role, she still portrayed Chameli. She rose above the dreadfully boring plot, breathing life into the film with the crude, yet innocent character.
The Best Scene: The Scene in the hospital, where she stands up for herself.
The critics : Whether swaying to Saroj Khan's informally seductive rhythms in "Behta hai man" or mocking the banker Aman (Rahul Bose) for his starchy cloistered middle class civility, Kareena goes way beyond anyone's expectations, including most decidedly her own, to deliver an all-time great performance, on a par with Nargis in Mehboob Khan's "Mother India", Meena Kumari in "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam" and Shabana Azmi in Mahesh Bhatt's "Arth". Kareena flashes an intuitive brilliance that comes to movies very, very rarely indeed.
Talaash
Though it’s common for actors and actresses to repeat similar roles, its not often that they get to do a role that is similar, yet so diametrically different. While her ‘streetwalker’ in Chameli, was raw and imperfect, Kareena’s performance as Rosy, is her most sensuous yet. We’ve never seen her slip so easily into a character before, and despite a lack of screentime, she outshone her co-stars with her nuances. Easily on of her most beautiful characters, the simplicity takes a sudden twist, with a shocking climax for Rosy.
Best Scene:
The Scene where Rosy Takes Surjan to her ‘private place’ by the ocean & speaks about ‘her friend’ that went missing.
Critics: But of the three leading cast, it is Kareena who shines the most as the friendly, helpful prostitute Rosy. She looks beautiful, in spite of her gaudy outfits, doesn’t over act (which she tends to do in many of her films) and demands all your attention when on screen. In fact in certain scenes, she overshadows Aamir, partly because her character is such and partly because at the end of the day she can act, provided she is given a good script and a good director. Good thing that the two leading ladies have a ‘Talaash’ releasing the same year when their earlier films (Aiyyaa and Heroine) almost had them packing their bags and heading towards retirement. The film puts them back in the place where they rightfully deserve to be, owing to their body of work.
Kurbaan
Kareena herself admitted this was one of the most diffucult roles she played, And the first time she took emotional baggage home. Watch the expression in her eyes in this one, and you will learn what acting really is about. We’ve seen many actresses relying on impactful dialogues and melodramatic scenes to portray anguish. But this performance took Bebo to another level altogether, She’s never been more real. The anguish that Avantika feels pierces you with her flawless performance. And there were certainly no complaints about the delectable chemistry with beau Saif Ali Khan. Though she didn’t have the lions share of a role in this one, She certainly had the biggest impact and it was disappointing to see the role not get the appreciation it deserved at award shows.
The Best Scene: The scene where she finds out Ehsaan is a terrorist, and of course the climax scene.
The critics: As for Kareena, KURBAAN reiterates one fact yet again: She's the best in the business. No two opinions on that! Watch her get those emotional sequences right, it's incredible. Here's a performance that truly merits the highest praise and admiration, besides fetching her awards and accolades
Heroine
Though the movie was heavily criticised for it’s plot (or lack thereof), it was a treat for fans of Kareena, as her portrayal of Mahi Arora, an insecure actress, gave her a range of scenes that truly tapped her talent. Whether it was her unstable relationships, innate insecurities, personality disorder or the cutthroat industry she worked in, Mahi was surrounded by a vortex of negativity. Kareena nailed every scene with ease, and somehow managed to look her glamorous best at the same time! Even Naysayers sat up and took notice, naming her performance as the sole saving grace from the convoluted disjointed storyline.
Best Scene:
There best scene of Kareena’s is debatable.
A common choice is the press conference which Mahi attends for the movie ‘Annie’, where she gives the media a piece of her mind, while they speculate about her personal life and career.
The second choice is easily the last 20 minutes of the movie; Mahi impulsively used a video of herself in bed with her actor-boyfriend as a publicity stunt to promote her movie ‘Annie’. The last 20 minutes show Mahi’s angst, regret, insecurity as an actress, and emotional turmoil.
The Critics:
"It’s Kareena who’s entitled to all-out celebrations. She’s the only reason you can sit through this film — she’s a magical confluence of ethereal beauty and superlative, gives-you-gooseflesh acting in her portrayal of the unbearable loneliness of being an actress. Unlike her director, she’ll waltz home with paisa,pyaar, rave reviews and, soon, a clutch of awards. And she’ll deserve all of it."
Omkara
Sure the film didn’t go down well with everyone, complaints of too much violence, profanity and losing the essence of Othello surfaced. Rising above the battle between Omkara and Langda Tyagi, was the battle of the thespians. “Ek Se Badhkar Ek” is an apt description of the performances in this film, and yet Kareena still managed to hold her own. Showing a newfound maturity in acting, she displayed Dolly Mishra’s innocence with ease. A picture speaks a thousand words, and likewise, each shot of hers spoke volumes. This was her first truly flawless performance, and her interpretation of Desdemona will be remembered forever. It unfortunately didn’t sweep all the awards, but the critics took to this one like a house on fire.
The Best Scene: Without a doubt, her death scene.
The critics : Kareena is an apt Desdemona to Ajay Devgan´s Othello. As young Dolly who elopes with a man she´s madly in love with and ultimately becomes a victim of his violent jealousy, Kareena is brilliant. Her vulnerability is palpable, her expression of love endearing. It ties little knots in your stomach as you are aware of her impending fate. Kareena internalises her character with stupefying intelligence and throws up a performance that leaves you overwhelmed. And she makes it look so effortless.
Three Idiots
This film surely doesn’t need an introduction. In a film where Aamir Khan repeatedly pointed out “Strive for excellence, and Success will follow naturally”, its no surprise that they were both found in combination here. Even with minimal Screentime Bebo lights up the screen everytime she enters, failing to be forgotten in the midst of many dominant characters. The role fitted her like a glove, and she comfortably pulled off the new look with ease. Again she proved that it doesn’t matter how much screen time you have, but what you do with it.
Best Scene: The Dhokla Scene and the confrontation with her father.
The Critics: Kareena has acting in her dna – it is upsetting when she does films for a lark – an upscale chick crying and whining. Here, in a confrontation scene with Boman, she proves what a powerhouse of spit-fire talent she is, yet again in her ‘khakda-dhokla-fafda’ scene she will have you in dorm-humour splits even as she ‘zoobi doobi-es’ buoyantly in the retro dream song – displaying her whole range.
Dev
Portraying the role of a muslim riot victim showed a side of Bebo that no one expected. She tackled the role with maturity that transcended her age, and many still count this as her best performance thus far. The film showcased her in her first truly serious role – completely deglam, with no song and dance sequences either. Yet again, she didn’t linger in the shadows with her miniscule role, but came to the fore as the surprise package in the movie. Many compared her performance to what we would expect from Tabu, one of the finest actresses in the fraternity. She involved herself so much that she even sang the beautiful “Jab Nahin Aye The Thum”.
Best Scene: The confession scene and the rape attempt scene are strong competitors.
Critics: . Kareena is very good right from the first to last frame. Two scenes require special mention- when she is trying to fight off the Hindu rioters who try to rape her friend and her, and the other in which she reveals the names of wrongdoers to Dev. With this film one can confidently say that she has matured as an actress and with the right films and directors could go the Tabu way.
Yuva
With Yuva, Kareena wowed critics once again after her critically acclaimed Chameli.
Previously known as the actress who could only take on glam role with attitude, Kareena showcased her immense talent and versatility by enacting the role of the spirited and witty Meera in Yuva.
Despite the fact that the ensemble cast consisted of powerful performances like Rani Mukherjee, Abhishek Bachan, Vivek Oberoi and Ajay Devgan, Kareena left a solid impact even with the least amount of screen time alloted to her out of the entire cast.
With surprising ease, the Kapoor kudi brought out the innocence and different dimensions of a character that woudl have otherwise seemed too easy to enact. Her expressive reflected an ocean of emotions; eyes that sparkled in response to the gentle touch of first love manifesting itself, and later flared up when the longing to be with her love finally pushed her into standing up for what she truly believed in. Witness the scene when she confronts Vivek towards the end of the film, claiming with a tear stained face how she could never forget him. Marvel at the ease with which she projects so much inner turmoil without the need of a single word.
Yuva certainly makes it to one of Kareena's top performances in our books!
The Best Scene: When She comes back to Vivek Oberoi.
The Critics: Kareena is highly competent, despite a half-baked character. Also, she looks gorgeous throughout, despite minimal make up. The chemistry between Vivek Oberoi and her is non-existent as their love story is displayed in an insipid way.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Certainly her most iconic role, Pooja or “Poo’ turned Kareena into the craze of the nation. With Her Hilarious Comic timing and Ravishing good looks, Bebo made sure she wasn’t lost amongst the industry stalwarts she was pitted against. The film made a firm bond between her and the youth of today, and certainly marked the beginning of her ruling as the most glamourous and stylish queen of B-Town. Though it released in the second year of her career, performances on songs from this film are still on high demand, and that my dear friend speaks for itself.
The Best Scene: The introduction of Poo.
The Critics: Kareena Kapoor is one of the main the highlights of the film. She provides the much-needed fun and entertainment in the second half; her performance will be loved by the youth. Playing a cosmetic beauty to the hilt, she is simply adorable.
Asoka
Being her first period film, her first action scene and being paired across someone far older than her – Asoka was bound to be a challenge. But the confidence with which she carried of the role of a warrior princess leaves you in awe. Her screen presence was so strong, that the film suffers without her presence. Sure her action scenes needed a little work, and the crying scene could have been more convincing – But it was without a doubt accepted that no newcomer could have taken the role to level that she took it.
The best scene: The Climax Scene.
The critics: Kareena Kapoor as Kaurwaki makes a beautiful and sensuous princess, commanding the screen with a presence, that few of her contemporaries can rival.
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu
Despite, the glaring similarities to ‘Jab We Met’ Shakun Batra’s fresh take on a ‘nerdy-boy’ meets ‘sunshine girl’ managed to steal everyone’s heart. While Geet was naïve and innocent, Riana is streetsmart girl who can easily look after herself. Bebo breezed through the role, still managing to add a certain freshness to the character and her look. The romantic comedy, had a refreshingly different end, which received a mixed response. For those who watched the movie, you’ll understand why I say it’s ‘perfectly average’ ;)
The Best Scene: Geet tells Aditya about her dream to be a ballet dancer, that was quashed because of her broken ankle and convinces him to follow his photography dream.
The Critics:
Kareena Kapoor is extraordinary. She underplays her bubbly character with such elan that one can’t but admire her. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Kareena has lived the role of Riana Braganza. She looks terrific.
Aitraaz
Last, but most certainly not least, comes Aitraaz. Many criticized her for choosing the smaller role in this one, but her choice paid of for her. She happily claimed “Given the choice again, I would still pick the same role. It was full of positivity and total identification. Men Felt that there is someone out there that can fight for them”. Sure Priyanka Chopra stole the bulk of the film, but Kareena is left in your mind when you leave the theatre. She jumped at the few good scenes she had, impressing you with her acting abilities. The confrontation scene with Priyanka chopra was commendable, as was the court scene. The rest of the film, she was simply delightful as the girl next door.
The best scene: The court scene where Priya fights Raj’s case.
The critics: Kareena has a sugar-and-sweet character till the pre-climax and she does it well. And when she does get the opportunity to display histrionics [climax], she doesn't let the opportunity pass by. Particularly impressive is one scene in the second half when she encounters Priyanka in latters office.