She was born into Bollywood royalty. She had the looks, the legacy, and the limelight. But behind the glamor, Karishma Kapoor’s life reads like a cautionary tale—one where fame couldn’t shield her from betrayal, heartbreak, and manipulation. And at the center of this drama? Her own mother—Babita Kapoor, once an actress, now infamous as the mother who allegedly made every decision for her daughter… even the wrong ones.

🎬 The Kapoor Princess Who Never Had a Choice

Karishma Kapoor—fondly called Lolo—was born in 1974 to actors Randhir Kapoor and Babita. From the start, Babita was a controlling force, raising Karishma and her sister Kareena single-handedly after separating from Randhir Kapoor.

But instead of allowing Karishma to live a life of freedom and love, Babita became the puppet master, orchestrating her every move—from her Bollywood debut to her disastrous marriage.

“She always said, ‘Do this, it will protect the family name’,” a source once revealed.

https://youtu.be/zX2qIoN9yNE

🛑 Forced into Films at 17—Against Randhir’s Wishes

Karishma Kapoor debuted in Prem Qaidi at the tender age of 17. Her father, Randhir Kapoor, strongly opposed her joining the film industry, stating Kapoor daughters do not act. But Babita had other plans.

She pushed Karishma into the spotlight, determined to restore her family’s place in the Kapoor dynasty, no matter the cost. The teenage Karishma was thrust into an industry infamous for exploitation, with no emotional armor.

“My mother did everything for me. But sometimes, I wonder at what price,” Karishma reportedly confided in a close friend.

💔 The Doomed Marriage to Sanjay Kapur—Engineered by Babita?

In 2003, Karishma married Delhi-based businessman Sanjay Kapur. But many close to her claim she was never truly in love with him. So why did she go through with it?

Whispers in Bollywood say Babita believed Sanjay’s wealth and status would secure Karishma’s future and solidify her position as a ‘respectable’ Kapoor bahu.

The fairytale didn’t last. The marriage turned abusive, toxic, and humiliating.

Karishma accused Sanjay of mental cruelty.

She claimed he forced her to sleep with his friends to “please them”.

There were allegations of physical assault during her pregnancy.

In court, she declared she had been treated like “a commodity”.

Still, Babita initially urged Karishma to “adjust”, fearing public shame.

🧊 Romances Destroyed, Choices Denied

Before Sanjay, Karishma was in a long-term relationship with Abhishek Bachchan. The two were engaged in 2002, and the entire Kapoor and Bachchan clans attended their engagement.

But mysteriously, the wedding was called off without explanation.

Sources have long claimed that Babita objected to the match, allegedly due to financial incompatibilities and family pride. Others whisper that she couldn’t bear the idea of Karishma playing second fiddle in the Bachchan household.

“If Babita hadn’t interfered, Karishma would be Mrs. Bachchan today,” said a senior Bollywood journalist.

💼 A Career Interrupted, A Spirit Crushed

By the early 2000s, Karishma had become one of Bollywood’s most bankable actresses. But after marriage, she faded into the background. And post-divorce, she struggled to reclaim her space—not because of lack of talent, but because of the emotional scars left behind.

Babita remained her manager, her decision-maker—even when Karishma needed therapy, freedom, and healing.

🧵 A Life Stitched by Strings—Not Her Own

Despite her accolades, national awards, and hit films, Karishma Kapoor’s life feels incomplete. Behind her poised smile is a woman who was used as a pawn in power games, image battles, and dynastic wars.

Babita Kapoor may have believed she was protecting her daughter, but in the process, she allegedly took away her ability to live freely, love fully, and heal deeply.

🌅 Where Is Karishma Now?

Today, Karishma is rebuilding:

A loving mother of two

Occasionally seen in web series and endorsements

Still living under the protective yet domineering presence of her mother

While her sister Kareena flourished—choosing her own path, marrying Saif Ali Khan—Karishma’s legacy remains bittersweet.

📝 Final Words: Not Every Princess Lives a Fairytale

Karishma Kapoor had the talent, the beauty, the bloodline. But the decisions forced upon her—especially by a mother more concerned with prestige than peace—left her emotionally fractured.

Behind Bollywood’s glitz lies a tale of a daughter manipulated, a woman silenced, and a life half-lived.

And the question remains: If Karishma had been allowed to choose for herself, what might her life have become?

When mother Babita Kapoor’s stubbornness proved to be too much for Karisma, she started bleeding!

Karisma Kapoor has been the top heroine of the 90s and her mother Babita Kapoor has played a very important role in her career. Her mother used to take all her big and small decisions. But, once one of her decisions proved to be very costly for Karisma.Karisma Kapoor was one of those heroines of the 90s who worked with every big actor-director of Bollywood from Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan. In those days, Karisma was one of the top actresses of Bollywood. Karisma had stepped into the world of acting by going against her family and her mother i.e. Babita Kapoor supported her in this decision. Babita Kapoor has played a very important role in Karisma’s career, because not only her personal life but also all the decisions related to her professional life were taken by Karisma. But, once one of her decisions created problems for Karisma.

When Karishma’s feet started bleeding

During a conversation with Pinkvilla, choreographer Ganesh Acharya revealed the incident when Karishma’s feet started bleeding due to a decision of Babita Kapoor. Ganesh Acharya told how Karishma Kapoor’s mother Babita Kapoor played a big role in the shooting of ‘Goriya Chura Na Mera Jiya’ and due to her stubbornness, Karishma got injured.

Ganesh Acharya narrated the story

Talking about this, Ganesh Acharya said- ‘Yes yes, that knee movement in Goriya Chura Na, her mother had a big hand in it, Babita ji’s. It was Govinda ji’s solo, but Babita ji came and said, ‘Why is he doing solo?’ I said that Karishma is wearing short pants, it is a knee movement. On this, Babita ji said- she will do it, why won’t she. You show her, make her do it. Now I was so afraid of her that I asked the assistant to make Karishma do it and poor thing she herself could not say anything. Those same short pants and that on the knee.’

Babita Kapoor played a big role in Karisma’s career
Ganesh Acharya further told that Karisma’s knees were bruised and bleeding due to the shooting of this song. He said- ‘You see, after the song, her knees were bruised. Because, Govinda ji was wearing knee-pads in his pants, he was not wearing anything. That is why Karisma Kapoor is Karisma today. She has worked very hard and Babita ji has played a big role in that. In the careers of both, Karisma and Kareena.’