As one of the judges on India’s Best Dancer Season 5, Karisma Kapoor has done more than just celebrate extraordinary performances. Week after week, the Bollywood star has taken viewers on a nostalgic journey through her illustrious career, sharing fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from some of Hindi cinema’s most memorable songs. From marathon costume changes to intense rehearsals and hilarious filming secrets, Karisma’s candid anecdotes have offered fans a rare glimpse into the making of several blockbuster dance numbers.
Here’s a look at five of the most memorable stories Karisma Kapoor has shared on the India’s Best Dancer Season 5 stage.
1. Karisma Kapoor changed 20 costumes for ‘Jhanjhariya’
Looking back at her early years in Bollywood, Karisma revealed that filming the female version of the hit song Jhanjhariya involved an astonishing 20 costume changes.
The actress recalled how filmmaking in the 1990s relied heavily on spontaneity and creative instincts, with elaborate costume changes and styling decisions often being made on the spot. The experience, she said, perfectly captured the larger-than-life filmmaking style of that era.
2. The secret behind ‘What Is Mobile Number’ that audiences never noticed
Karisma also shared an amusing behind-the-scenes fact from Haseena Maan Jaayegi, where she reunited with Govinda and director David Dhawan.
Although the film is set in Goa, the chartbuster What Is Mobile Number was actually shot in just one day at a resort in Madh Island, Mumbai.
She even revealed that she jokingly warned David Dhawan about a background detail she feared would expose the actual location. To her surprise, audiences never noticed the difference, making it one of her favourite filming memories.
3. When Vaibhavi Merchant wouldn’t let Karisma take a break
Before becoming one of Bollywood’s most celebrated choreographers, Vaibhavi Merchant worked as an assistant to renowned choreographers Chinni Prakash and Rekha Prakash.
Karisma fondly remembered working with a young Vaibhavi during films like Police Officer and Krishna, describing her as incredibly disciplined and passionate about dance.
According to Karisma, Vaibhavi was so dedicated to perfecting every move and expression that she wouldn’t even allow the actress to sit down and rest between rehearsals.
4. Why Dil To Pagal Hai demanded the longest rehearsals of her career
Known for effortlessly performing complex dance routines, Karisma admitted that extensive rehearsals were actually uncommon during the 1990s.
However, everything changed while working on Yash Chopra’s Dil To Pagal Hai.
Since it marked Shiamak Davar’s first Hindi film and featured accomplished dancers like Madhuri Dixit, Karisma revealed that she spent more time rehearsing for this film than any other project in her career.
Those long practice sessions ultimately helped create unforgettable performances, including the iconic Dance of Envy sequence.
5. Karisma recalls learning discipline from Chinni Prakash
The actress also reflected on her earliest collaborations with legendary choreographers Chinni Prakash and Rekha Prakash.
She praised the duo for creating grand dance sequences featuring hundreds of background dancers at a time when camera monitors weren’t available.
Recalling her first film Police Officer, Karisma remembered feeling uncomfortable performing in a heavy Amrapali costume but credited those demanding training sessions with teaching her discipline and professionalism at the very beginning of her career.
Looking back today, she believes those experiences played a significant role in shaping her journey into one of Bollywood’s most celebrated dancing stars.
With every episode of India’s Best Dancer Season 5, Karisma Kapoor continues to delight viewers not only with her warmth as a judge but also with rare stories that celebrate the golden era of Bollywood dance and filmmaking.
