Kareena Kapoor poses during the wedding reception party of actors Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani in Mumbai. File/AFP

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan says that Hindi cinema has always had its unique charm, but catching up with Marvel’s level of storytelling requires a script, a vision and the right timing. Kareena has lent her voice to Black Widow in Marvel’s ‘Westlanders: Black Widow’, the third instalment of the Hindi Audible podcast series. Asked why is it taking time for Hindi cinema to tap into something like what Marvel has made, Kareena told IANS: “Well, Audible has already brought Marvel to India with Marvel’s Wastelanders so that is a start.

Having said that, Hindi cinema has always had its unique charm, but catching up with Marvel’s level of storytelling requires a script, a vision and the right timing.” The actress then said that India has seen a whole different league of superheroes. “India for that matter, has seen a whole other league of superheroes, from Shaktiman to Krishh. And let’s not forget, in a land where deities are worshiped, we even consider the divine figures as heroes,” said the actress.

The actress added: “We’ve had epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, adapted in countless ways over the years. And talking about the kind of superheroes that have emerged in recent years, yes, in that respect also Indian cinema is evolving.” Kareena affirms that “we’re getting there”. “Exploring new genres, and pushing boundaries. Our industry may also one day witness a superhero revolution of its kind, and you can bet your last penny that when it happens, it’ll be nothing short of spectacular in its own right. We have got to trust the process, and when the time is right, we’ll have our superhero saga that will rock the world,” she added.

Kareena Kapoor is the daughter of actors Randhir Kapoor and Babita, and the younger sister of actress Karisma Kapoor. Noted for playing a variety of characters in a range of film genres — from romantic comedies to crime dramas — Kapoor is the recipient of several awards, including six Filmfare Awards, and is one of Bollywood’s highest-paid actresses.

After making her acting debut in 2000 in Refugee, Kapoor established herself with roles in the dramas Aśoka and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (both 2001). This was followed by a series of commercial failures and negative reviews for her repetitive roles. An against-type performance as a sex worker in the drama Chameli marked a turning point in her career.

She earned critical recognition for her portrayal of a riot victim in the 2004 drama Dev and a character based on Desdemona in the 2006 crime film Omkara. Further praise came for her performances in the romantic comedies Jab We Met (2007) and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (2012), the thrillers Kurbaan (2009) and Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012), and the dramas We Are Family (2010), Heroine (2012), Udta Punjab (2016) and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022).

Agencies