Karishma has learnt to deal with ups downs in marriage philosophically

'One must do what one believes in, not try to be a person you are not' says Karishma

Karishma Kapoor

MumbaiOct 3rd 2013(Eddie Patel): what you feel suits you. Do not rush out and buy every new product that comes in the market. Read the labels carefully, try it out, and use it only if it suits you. A lot of the products out there may sound great, but may not suit your personality,' she advices.

Being Positive Controversies may dog her, but she maintains an equanimity that belies her age. She has lived through as much if not more drama as any of her films. Her first movie Prem (Qaidi was greeted with jeers about her style, or lack of it. The Govinda phase of her career saw her being at the centre of controversy over the raunchy numbers she did. Then she silenced her detractors with Raja Hindustani and an ultra-glam makeover; she never looked back and went from strength to strength. Each successive role saw her traversing unchartered territory and emerging stronger. Zubaidaa was critically acclaimed as were Fizaa and Shakti-The Power. She ventured into television with 260 episode serial Karishma- The Miracles of Destiny where she essayed a double-role of grandmother and granddaughter and later as a judge on Nach Baliye. Not many people know it, but she was also in the Salman and Kareena block-buster Bodyguard - as the voice of Chhaya in the film. Her much-talked about comeback film Dangerous Ishq bombed but that has not deterred her.

Karishma  has reinvented herself and used radio to reach out to so many women. 'I spend a lot of effort on my radio show where I give style tips to women. It is great fun and has given me the opportunity to explore new things. I am lucky to have tasted commercial success and get critical acclaim as well. But I do want to try different things. For my radio show, I try to give the listeners something useful, something from my personal experience, and the results have been very positive. I have been able to connect to so many women,' she says.

But gossip continues to hound her. Her relationship with her Delhi-based husband, businessman Sunjay Kapur, has been the subject of speculation, especially in the backdrop of her decision to move back to Mumbai. Much like so many young women in urban India, Karishma  too, is learning to deal with the ups and downs of marriage. 'I believe that it is important to be positive in life (whatever phase you're in). One must do what one believes in. You should not try to be the person you are not. Do not emulate anyone else. Be yourself. Be positive and move on with life. It is important to have positivity around you and to keep moving forward,' she says.

Through it all, Karishma  has drawn strength from her younger sister, actor Kareena. There was a time when the elder sister was doing the hand-holding, but now the roles have reversed. 'When I told Kareena that I was expecting, she was most excited about becoming a maasi. She would keep calling to ask whether I had eaten, she would call late at night and scold me for not being asleep. She advised me to keep quiet about it for the first trimester to be safe from nazar: recalls Karishma . Today, Kareena's husband, Sa if Ali Khan, is as much a part of her circle of love as her sister. At Kareena and Saif's wedding party, Karishma  had performed with cousin Ranbir. The sisters are there for each other through good times and bad.

'I Am Like Any Good Housekeeping Reader' While talking about her own personality, Karishma  says that despite being in the movies, and belonging to Indian cinema's first family, she is a conservative person. 'I strongly believe in Indian values and this is reflected even in how I am bringing up my children. I am as "normal" as any Good Housekeeping reader. I am very grounded, very hands-on. I pick up my children from school. I help them with their homework - which is getting to be tough as Samaira is getting older! I cook for my kids. I read to them at night. I order the vegetables. I know the price of onions. I have a normal life beyond the movies, minus the trappings of stardom,' says the mom.

So what does she do when the kids act up? Does she scold them? 'I never scold my kids. It's about explaining things to them - not telling them,' she says. But what happens when she loses her cool? 'I try not to let that happen. But when I do, I go to my room and don't come out till I have calmed down. I read a book, cool down and then come out,' is her advice. 'Being a mother is a learning experience. There is no right formula. I am learning every day!' says the Yummy Mummy.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SHIVANGI KULKARNI ; ART DIRECTION BY RENU SINGLA; SOURCING & STYLING BY ESHA AMIN; MAKEUP AND HAIR BY KRITIKA GILL; LOCATION COURTESY NOVOTEL HOTEL, JUHU, MUMBAI