Not Jab We Met's Geet or K3G's Poo: 5 roles that quietly cemented ‘star' Kareena Kapoor Khan's legacy as an actor

Indian Express

30-06-2025

'I don't want to do stardom anymore,' Kareena Kapoor Khan said ahead of the release of Jaane Jaan. Lately, she has consciously sought roles that move away from her star persona and add richness to her filmography. She has been a bona fide star ever since she stepped into the industry 25 years ago.
Over the years, she has made shrewd career choices, signed the right films, collaborated with top filmmakers, and maintained a balanced public image. She's one of the rare actors who has seamlessly fit into the worlds of all the major male superstars — be it Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, or Ajay Devgn. At the same time, she's shaped her image across generations — from being the size-zero phenomenon to a feminist icon who walked the ramp while pregnant.
There's no denying that Kareena's early performances weren't her best and came off as exaggerated (to say the least). Films like Khushi, Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, and Yaadein became meme goldmines for their cringe-worthy performances. And dare I say, even the iconic Poo from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham falls into that category.
Following the massive success of Jab We Met, Kareena became synonymous with the loud, chirpy, self-assured girl — a persona that quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Even Chameli, often cited as her first offbeat performance, didn't quite capture the full range of what she was capable of. And yet, it was always hard to ignore her.
In recent years, she has become more intentional about the projects she takes up, but her journey of breaking free from the confines of mainstream stardom began long ago. Kareena has been quietly building a filmography that confirms longevity in film industry rather than seeking fleeting acclaim. As she completes 25 years in the film industry, here's a list of her 5 most underrates performances.
Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara may have centred around Ajay Devgn's brooding Omkara Shukla, but it was Kareena Kapoor Khan's Dolly Mishra who quietly breathed life into the story. The innocence she brought to the soft-spoken yet quietly courageous Dolly left audiences deeply moved. Through Dolly's wide-eyed vulnerability, viewers were exposed to the harsh realities faced by women in traditional Indian society — where even after leaving behind their homes and identities post-marriage, they are still made to prove their fidelity and worth.
Standing out in a solo film is one thing, but consistently delivering iconic performances in multi-starrers is another — especially when you're sharing the screen with someone like Alia Bhatt in a career-defining role. In Udta Punjab, Kareena once again proved that screen time isn't what defines a great performance. Playing a compassionate doctor who risks her life to combat Punjab's drug crisis, Kareena brought both strength and conviction to the role. Sporting a no-makeup look, she delivered some of the film's most powerful dialogues.
While Kareena's performance in Chameli earned her widespread acclaim, her role in Govind Nihalani's Dev, released the same year, went largely overlooked. In the film, she played a distressed young Muslim woman caught in the crossfire of Hindu-Muslim tensions and toxic male egos. Though the narrative primarily focused on the conflict between Amitabh Bachchan and Om Puri's characters, Kareena brought quiet strength and emotional depth to her part and also serving as the moral compass that moves Fardeen Khan's character away from radicalisation. Unlike her often over-the-top performances in earlier films, her performance in Dev stood out for its subtlety.
Reema Kagti's crime thriller Talaash left audiences divided. While some appreciated its storytelling, others were put off by its supernatural twist. Yet, amid the differing opinions, one thing most agreed on was Kareena Kapoor Khan's compelling performance. As Rosie, she seamlessly blended glamour with vulnerability. One of the film's most haunting moments is the night-time scene where she sits with Aamir Khan and reflects on her life as a sex worker: 'We don't exist in the eyes of the law — and if we don't exist, how can we disappear?' It's so well-balanced that it captures her pain but barely gives a hint of the climax.
Sujoy Ghosh's Jaane Jaan stands out as Kareena Kapoor Khan's finest performance in recent years. She plays a single mother haunted by a dark past and an abusive ex-husband — and when that past comes knocking, she doesn't hesitate to fight back, even if it means killing to survive. What follows is a layered portrayal that sees Kareena in multiple shades: singing under disco lights while flirting with Vijay Varma's character, cautiously showing warmth to Jaideep Ahlawat's reclusive genius, and transforming into a fierce, protective mother when danger looms. It's a performance that keeps you hooked till the very end.