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The untold story of Babita Kapoor’s defiance in Bollywood’s oldest film dynasty

TOI Entertainment Desk
| ETimes.in | Last updated on - Sep 13, 2025, 15:00 IST
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1/5

She belongs to a filmy lineage

Although most people know Babita through marriage into the Kapoor khandaan, fewer people actually know that she herself was born into a film family. Her father, Hari Shivdasani, was a character actor in Hindi cinema, and she is also the first cousin of actress Sadhana Shivdasani, who was one of the biggest style icons of the 1960s.

2/5

She gave up her career for marriage

At the high point in her career, Babita stepped away from being in front of the camera after she married Randhir Kapoor in 1971. Like many other women of her generation, she left films after getting married. It has been reported that, at times, she regretted that decision later in her career, especially during the long separation from her husband.

3/5

She single-handedly managed her daughters’ careers

Babita had a hand in raising Karisma and Kareena after separating (but not officially divorcing) from Randhir Kapoor. She played a big role in their early careers, especially Karisma's, and was known to be a powerful and tactical influence behind the scenes.

4/5

She fought against Kapoor family traditions

Babita’s story is both conformity and implicit resistance. The question of a strict ban on Kapoor women acting is still debated in the family, but dual vision led her to remove herself from films, and her marriage to Randhir Kapoor. Many years later, she was actively preparing Karisma and Kareena to pursue film careers, directly resisting that tradition.

5/5

She maintains a low public profile

Babita was definitely a leading lady in the 60s and 70s, but it's been a very long time since we have seen her in public or on camera. She has made the conscious decision to ignore the media and keeps her distance from the spotlight, even at film events for her daughters, as she has always lived privately and with dignity.

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Copyright © May 30, 2026, 09.41PM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service