Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan has been ruling the industry since she made her debut at the age of 19. Her first film, ‘Refugee’, directed by JP Dutta, was released in 2000, and it marked the beginning of her long and successful journey in the world of cinema. Recently, Kareena reminisced about her first day on the set of ‘Refugee,’ revealing how nerve-wracking it was to wait for her very first shot.
A Long Wait on Her Debut Day
In an interview with Brut India, Kareena shared that she spent an entire day and night waiting for her first scene to be filmed. “I waited for the shot the whole day and it didn’t happen. Then, I waited through the night, and still no shot,” she said, adding that she was filled with anxiety and kept thinking, “What’s going on? What’s going to happen?” It was a restless wait for the actress, who was eager yet nervous about her first-ever screen appearance.
The Shot That Finally Happened
It wasn’t until 3:45 AM that Kareena got the call to finally shoot her scene. The assistant director informed her, “The shot is ready.” Despite her excitement, Kareena faced another challenge—JP Dutta, known for his no-nonsense approach, wasn’t one to give praise after a good take. Kareena explained, “He didn’t say ‘great shot’ or anything. He would just take the shot and move on to the other side, which meant it was okay.”
Her debut scene involved lifting her veil and asking the question, “Paani milega?” While this might seem like a simple moment, for Kareena, it felt monumental. After the shot, Kareena nervously asked JP Dutta if it was okay. “He just said yes,” she recalled. “I was worried because we only did one take, and I thought, ‘What if it’s wrong? My entire career is at stake.’”
Celebrating 25 Years of Kareena Kapoor in Films
Next year will mark 25 years since Kareena’s Bollywood debut, and in honor of her incredible career, PVR Cinemas is hosting a film festival showcasing her best work. Running from September 20 to 27, the festival will highlight five of Kareena’s most iconic films, allowing fans to revisit her stellar performances over the years. The films being screened are:
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
- Ashoka (2001)
- Chameli (2004)
- Omkara (2006)
- Jab We Met (2007)
With screenings across 15 cities in over 30 cinemas, fans of the actress will have a chance to experience her versatility and growth as an actor, from her early days to her status as one of Bollywood’s top stars.
