Key Highlights:
- A Baisakhi-themed performance sparks the memory: Contestants Deepali and Ritesh's energetic Bhangra act on "Rang De Basanti" prompted Karisma to recall Neetu Kapoor's dancing skills.
- Learnt by watching, not formal training: Karisma said she picked up Bhangra simply by observing her aunt perform at a recent family wedding.
- Praise for Neetu's "attitude": Karisma said the energy and attitude Neetu brings to Bhangra is what makes her performances stand out.
- Neetu Kapoor's Bollywood legacy: She was one of the leading actresses of the late 1970s and early 1980s before stepping away from acting after marrying Rishi Kapoor.
- A well-known Bollywood family: Neetu is the mother of Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, and mother-in-law to Alia Bhatt.
Mumbai: Actress Karisma Kapoor took a trip down memory lane on an episode of dance reality show "India's Best Dancer" Season 5, as contestants Deepali and Ritesh brought the festive spirit of Baisakhi to the stage with an energetic performance on the iconic song "Rang De Basanti."
The duo's lively Bhangra performance prompted Karisma to recall her aunt Neetu Kapoor's dancing skills and reveal that she learnt the energetic dance form by simply watching her perform.
"I Was Just Admiring Her And Watching Her"
Talking about the attitude and energy needed to perform Bhangra, Karisma praised Neetu for her effortless moves and shared how she would watch and emulate her aunt.
Karisma said, "Bhangda karne ke liye you need that attitude, and Neetu aunty does it amazingly. Maine unse sikha. Woh hamare family mein shaadi hui abhi recently do din, toh unhone kiya, toh I was just admiring her and watching her. Maine unse actually sikha, apne Nitu aunty ko match kiya."
(To perform Bhangra, you need that attitude, and Neetu aunty does it amazingly. I learnt it from her. There was a wedding in our family recently, just two days ago, and she performed, so I was just admiring her and watching her. I actually learnt it from her and tried to match my Nitu aunty.)
Karisma's Own Dance Credentials
Interestingly, Karisma herself is widely regarded as one of Bollywood's most accomplished dancers, having trained formally in Bharatanatyam, Kathak and jazz from a young age. Known for energetic hit numbers like "Le Gayi," "Sona Kitna Sona Hai" and her celebrated dance face-off with Madhuri Dixit in "Dil To Pagal Hai" (1997), she has often said that dancing shaped her expressiveness as an actor. Her comment about picking up Bhangra by simply "watching" Neetu Kapoor is therefore a notable admission from someone whose own reputation as a dancer is largely built on years of rigorous training.
About Neetu Kapoor
For the uninitiated, Neetu Kapoor is the wife of Karisma Kapoor's uncle, Rishi Kapoor.
On the professional front, Neetu Kapoor was touted as one of the finest actresses of the late '70s and early '80s era of Bollywood.
While being at the top of her career, Neetu Kapoor quit Bollywood to get married to Rishi Kapoor and headed towards a family life.
She is the mother of Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor and jewellery designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, and the mother-in-law of Bollywood star Alia Bhatt.