How Babita Kapoor broke the rules of Bollywood’s first family

While many know Babita as part of the Kapoor khandaan through marriage, fewer people know she was born into a film family herself. Her father, Hari Shivdasani, was a character actor in Hindi cinema, and she is also a first cousin of actress Sadhana Shivdasani, who was a major style icon in the 1960s.

At the peak of her acting career, Babita walked away from the limelight after marrying Randhir Kapoor in 1971. Like many women of her era, she gave up films post-marriage—something she later reportedly regretted, especially during her long separation from Randhir.

Traditionally, Kapoor women weren’t allowed to act in films. Babita broke that mold first by entering the industry herself and later by encouraging both her daughters to pursue acting careers—challenging the family’s conservative stance on women in cinema.

After parting ways (though never officially divorcing) with Randhir Kapoor, Babita raised Karisma and Kareena largely on her own. She was instrumental in shaping their early careers, especially Karisma’s, and was known to be a strong, strategic influence behind the scenes.

Though she was a leading lady in the 60s and 70s, Babita is rarely seen in public or on camera today. She has consciously chosen to stay away from the media spotlight, even at film events involving her daughters, preferring to lead a private and dignified life.