Fourteen Glorious Years of Kareena

It was fourteen years ago that the cinegoers were introduced to Kareena Kapoor.

Here is looking at some of the many highlights in her 14 years career that have made Kareena what she is today.

Chubby beginnings(2000)

"I am Karisma's sister and I am gonna be a big star one day."

Unlike many, this fourth generation Kapoor lass chose to go sans make up in her debut film 'Refugee' and won rave reviews for her innocent girl-next-door look. She was hailed by one and all that she was the future of the first decade in the 21st century. 'Refugee' didn't work for the audience but Kareena did.

"I feel sorry for anyone sharing a frame with Bebo."-Abhishek Bacchan

Not quite a cent percent success rate(2001)

I have been watching Sridevi, Madhuri and other actresses since the age of six. I know I had to be there on the big screen where I belong,"

For her second release, Kareena was paired opposite Tusshar Kapoor in Satish Kaushik's box-office hit 'Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai'. She next starred alongside Hrithik Roshan in Subhash Ghai's 'Yaadein'. She then featured in Abbas-Mustan's 'Ajnabee'. The film was a hit and kept Kareena alive and kicking in the industry.

Later that year,she appeared in Santosh Sivan's period epic 'Aśoka'. A key point in Kareena's career came when she was cast by Karan Johar as Poo in the melodrama 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham'. Her 'Poo' act redefined a new image for Kareena and a multi-crore box office super success meant that she was certainly not going away anywhere.

"You are a miracle, a gift to the industry"Sooraj R. Barjaty

Not the best years! (2002-03)

"Flops ka bhi apna mazza hai. I am what I am because of my flop films.

During 2002 and 2003, Kreena continued to work in a number of projects but experienced a setback. All six films in which she starred— 'Mujhse Dosti Karoge!', 'Jeena Sirf Merre Liye', 'Talaash: The Hunt Begins...', 'Khushi', 'Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon', and the four-hour war epic 'LOC Kargil'—were critically and commercially unsuccessful.

"Kareena has so much to give to the camera. She is the female Shah Rukh Khan! So far I would say only 40 per cent of her potential has been used. She is in the Mumtaz and Sridevi mould."Suneel Darshan"

A new Kareena!(2004)

"I don't think myself as a perfect actress though.I have to learn a lot and now I am in a beginning stage."

A new actor in her was discovered once 'Chameli' hit the screens. A moderate success, it did make people stand up and notice the confidence with which she played a street walker. What also caught eye was the drastically different portrayal that she had in 'Yuva', where she played an average girl next door. She was totally natural and though the film flopped, her act remained etched in audience's heart.

Her 'Dev' didn't work well either but since it was anyways an issue based subject; the emphasis was on performance more than box office success. In that context, she did gain from this film.

Shortly afterwards, Kareena was cast for the first time as a villain in the thriller 'Fida'. Although the film was unsuccessful at the box office, Kareena received positive reviews for her performance. Her subsequent releases that year included Abbas-Mustan's thriller 'Aitraaz' and Priyadarshan's comedy 'Hulchul', both of which were successful at the Indian box office.

"At her age she has the maturity to carry off difficult roles. I loved her in Chameli."-Sushmita sen.

Oye Bebo! (2005)

"I am not here to make friends. I am here to work. I go to a job and I come back to my family and loved ones."

Following the success of her last two releases, she was cast as the protagonist of the 2005 drama 'Bewafaa'. It took one of the best openings of those times and even though it didn't quite go the whole hog, the star power of Kareena wasn't to be ignored any more.

She then starred in Priyadarshan's romantic drama 'Kyon Ki', which was a box-office failure; however, her performance was generally well received by critics. She then starred in 'Dosti -Friends Forever', which just managed to pass muster.

"Kareena, for me, is a throwback to the stars of the Sixties -- there is so much glamour and so much tragedy in her persona, in the way she carries herself" - Gautam Rajadhyaksha

Mute and Makeup free Kareena (2006)

"You have to just pick films as and when they come, work hard and leave the rest to your destiny."

In 2006, Kareena appeared in three films. She first starred in the thriller '36 China Town', followed by the comedy 'Chup Chup Ke'; both were moderately successful.

However, change was the name of the game and she agreed to be a part of 'Omkara', a film where she had a central role to play. Kareena came up with one of the most sensitive and defining performances of her career.

”Kareeena has the pathos of Meena Kumari and the fire of Nargis. Kareena also exudes a unique mystery and power in her personality. There’s something very striking and untamed about her personality."-Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Jab 2007 came (2007)

"I'm not going to get typecast that I only do glamorous roles or roles in art or parallel cinemas-"

Kareena returned to film as Geet Dhillon in 'Jab We Met'. Once the film released, it became such a rage that it grow at the box office week after week.

There were talks re-ignited about chemistry, the sense of togetherness, true love and meeting of hearts. No one doubted any more that Kareena and Shahid indeed had it in them to make things happen at the box office. They were not a flop pairing in any case but 'Jab We Met' turned out to be something that belonged to a different league altogether.

"She is a natural; she has no craft, grammar or process attached to her acting. Move her from the sets of Golmaal to a Jab We Met to a Chameli on the same day and she will do just fine. It is a great sense of cinema that can keep her going."-Karan Johar

Size Zero (2008)

"I have even gained from a film like 'Tashan' and the whole size-zero phase. I am happy people will at least remember that there was an actress who did this for a film."

Kareena co-starred in action-thriller 'Tashan' where she brought the concept of 'Size Zero' in Bollywood. If ever there was a style statement finding so much public attention for itself in the current decade, it was 'Size Zero' that Kareena brought to fore. Despite the fact that 'Tashan' as a film didn't do much for it's actors, it did help Kareena get into limelight in a big way.

The follow up success of 'Golmaal Returns' only helped the cause further with the film gaining tremendously from her star value.

"A second take with Kareena is an indulgence. With her on the sets, you are sure to wrap up the movie sooner than you expect." Rensil D'Silva

The hit run continues (2009)

"Honestly not everyone knows the real Kareena. For me, the people who know who I really am are the only ones that matter".

Meanwhile she decided to balance realistic cinema with some totally glam affair. While the style statement continued with 'Kambakkht Ishq', she balanced it all with a 'Kurbaan'. In the midst of this all, she also did 'Main Aurr Mrs Khanna' but it was truly a film which an actor does in her career as a favour to help out friends. She thankfully compensated it all with '3 Idiots' which turned out to be a historic event in the making.

“I can act the pants off all the heroines in Bollywood except Kareena Kapoor Khan - Anushka Sharma"

Style diva (2010)

"I am a hell raiser. I do my own thing. And I believe what I do is the right thing."

The films catapulted Kareena into superstardom, and pole-vaulted her to the top of the game. There’s no looking back, with Kareena starring only in big-budget, lavishly mounted productions.

In 2010, she took a supporting role as career-oriented Shreya Arora in 'We Are Family'. Reaction to the film was lukewarm, but Kareena remained unfazed by anything the media or the critics throw at her. After all, in a career spanning 10 years, she had heard it all.

In the end of the year, she reunited with director Rohit Shetty for 'Golmaal 3' which emerged as the most successful entry in the 'Golmaal' series. The film marked her image as a great comic actor among her contemporaries.

"She is the female equivalent of Shah Rukh Khan in the industry today and most people also consider her a pretty face. So obviously all the top brands want to cast her in order to increase brand value,"- Brand analyst Sridhar Ramanujan

Heorine No.1 (2011)

"In 11 years, I have done many films — some extremely good ones, some very terrible ones and the rest just about okay. But every film has added to my big balloon of experience which I am holding today,"

2011 was Kareena’s golden year, with her films ‘Bodyguard’ and ‘Ra.One’ with Salman and SRK respectively being blockbusters. Though heroines don’t have much to do in Salman Khan films, Kareena’s chemistry with him struck a chord with the audience. In 'Ra.One' She rocked the ‘Chammak Challo’ song in a way no other actress could have done.

"She is so very beautiul, awesome to look at. She reminds me of crystal, so pristine and clear." Shahrukh Khan

Glamorous Diva (2012)

"I am here to sell my talent, and I will sell it as much as I can, but I will never succumb to selling my soul."

Kareena followed her success in 'Bodyguard' and 'Ra.One' with a role in Shakun Batra's 'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu'. The film received positive reviews and was a box office success. She next appeared in 'Agent Vinod', it met with a tepid response. For her next feature, she was cast as the protagonist of Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Heroine'. Yet again, this was the classic case of a film where the product was challenged but not her acting capabilities. Coming up with a bravura performance, Kareena was hailed by critics.

At the end of year, Kareena once again resurrected the sex worker character, in Reema Kagti’s ‘Talaash’ opposite Aamir Khan. The film was a box office hit, and Kareena was once again lauded for her performance.

"I don't think there should be any comparisons between me and Kareena. There can't be any similarity ever.I don't think I can match up to her."-Alia Bhat

Kareena's style (2013)

"Regret is not in my dictionary "

Kareena's next appearance was in a political drama 'Satyagraha'. 'Satyagraha' received little praise from critics, though proved to be a modest success. Next, she had a starring role opposite Imran Khan in 'Gori Tere Pyaar Mein' but the film sunk without a trace.

Too bad 2013 wasn't all that happening with inconsequential choices.

"Kareena is a great actress, I admire her. It would be great to work with someone of her caliber." Emraan Hashmi

Post marriage (2014)

"I think everyone is running a race. I am not. I know where I am. I am competing with myself. "

After getting her all best projects shelved, Kareena has begun filming on Rohit Shetty's action drama 'Singham Returns', opposite Ajay Devgn, which is scheduled to release in August 2014.

Kareena kapoor’s on screen and off screen life has always been interesting and has attracted media to spice it up. Being married to Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, she is leading a harmonious and peaceful life. The best Kareena Kapoor is known as a style icon and young fan followers copy her style to enhance their look. Few upcoming movies are 'Happy Ending' and 'Singham Returns'.

We wish Kareena Kapoor many more successful years ahead.

"Kareena has lasted for so long and done so many different kinds of films, so many characters and is still engaging the audience."-Sonakshi