6 lesser-known facts about Kareena Kapoor Khan
Did you know that she wasn't actually supposed to be named Kareena?
PHOTO: HINDUSTAN TIMES
Now, we all know and love Bebo for her quirky personality, powerhouse performances and of course, her PHAT (Pretty, hot and tempting!) good looks. But there is much about Kareena Kapoor Khan than first meets the eye.
So, as compiled from Cosmopolitan, here are six facts about the Bollywood diva we bet you didn’t know.
1. She was not meant to be named ‘Kareena’
The Jab We Met star’s grandfather, actor Raj Kapoor, had named her Siddhima first. Fortunately, it didn’t stick. The name ‘Kareena’ is derived from the book Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, which her mother was reading while pregnant with her. Kareena’s family and close friends obviously call her Bebo – a nickname was given to her by her father, Randhir Kapoor.
2. Kareena ain’t one to mess with…
Okay, we admit that this one is hardly surprising. Kareena’s had her fair share of catfights in the film industry. For instance, she and Bipasha Basu relinquished their chances of being BFFs while shooting for the movie Ajnabee in 2001. According to some reports, the rivalry turned into an ugly spat when Kareena called Bipasha a “Kaali billi...”
And then there was Kareena’s very public spat with Priyanka Chopra, wherein she questioned the latter’s accent on National television and even declared that her movie Heroine is better than Priyanka's Fashion. PC later retaliated by giving a 'sour grapes' statement as she had won the National Award for Fashion.
3. She believes in being open and honest
Kareena has always been open about her personal life and welcomes media attention. Just look at how her relationship with Shahid was never hidden from anyone. Nor did she even try to conceal the fact that she was living with her now-husband Saif Ali Khan for years before their marriage.
According to the grapevine, Kareena has dated Hrithik Roshan as well. But she’s as candid as one could get and unlike other celebrities, allows the media to photograph her son Taimur as well. Now that’s what we call enjoying life!
4. Kareena is staunchly against infidelity
Saif and Kareena started dating back in 2007, after her break-up with Shahid. As we just said, she was in a live-in relationship with Saif for five years before they finally tied the knot in 2012. But did you know that the couple used to check into hotels as Mr and Mrs Khan way before their wedding?
Also, Kareena has a very strict take on infidelity within relationships. She was once asked about her opinion on celebrities cheating on their spouses and all she said in response to that was, "I will slaughter him."
5. She’s been a blessing in disguise for many heroines
Not only has Kareena had a prolific film career herself, she has inadvertently helped many other female actors become successful by rejecting roles offered to her first. For example, she turned down Hrithik’s 2001 hit Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai which ultimately became huge launch pad for Ameesha Patel. And let’s not forget what Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam did for Aishwarya Rai's career.
6. Life hasn’t always been so good to Kareena
She might have been born into what is known as the ‘First Family of Bollywood’ but Kareena has actually had a very humble upbringing. "We weren't brought up in luxury, as people assume about the Kapoor clan. My mom Babita and sister Karisma really struggled to give me a better life, especially mom because she was a single parent,” she once said. “Everything was very limited for us. Karisma went to college in local trains but I escaped that because I didn't go to college here. But I took the school bus, like everyone else.”
Kareena further revealed that the family had one car and not enough money for a driver. “It's only because mom brought us up like this that we value everything we have today. The bad days we have seen have made us very strong and fragile at the same time. And the experiences have made me a very intense person."
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
So, as compiled from Cosmopolitan, here are six facts about the Bollywood diva we bet you didn’t know.
1. She was not meant to be named ‘Kareena’
The Jab We Met star’s grandfather, actor Raj Kapoor, had named her Siddhima first. Fortunately, it didn’t stick. The name ‘Kareena’ is derived from the book Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, which her mother was reading while pregnant with her. Kareena’s family and close friends obviously call her Bebo – a nickname was given to her by her father, Randhir Kapoor.
2. Kareena ain’t one to mess with…
Okay, we admit that this one is hardly surprising. Kareena’s had her fair share of catfights in the film industry. For instance, she and Bipasha Basu relinquished their chances of being BFFs while shooting for the movie Ajnabee in 2001. According to some reports, the rivalry turned into an ugly spat when Kareena called Bipasha a “Kaali billi...”
And then there was Kareena’s very public spat with Priyanka Chopra, wherein she questioned the latter’s accent on National television and even declared that her movie Heroine is better than Priyanka's Fashion. PC later retaliated by giving a 'sour grapes' statement as she had won the National Award for Fashion.
3. She believes in being open and honest
Kareena has always been open about her personal life and welcomes media attention. Just look at how her relationship with Shahid was never hidden from anyone. Nor did she even try to conceal the fact that she was living with her now-husband Saif Ali Khan for years before their marriage.
According to the grapevine, Kareena has dated Hrithik Roshan as well. But she’s as candid as one could get and unlike other celebrities, allows the media to photograph her son Taimur as well. Now that’s what we call enjoying life!
4. Kareena is staunchly against infidelity
Saif and Kareena started dating back in 2007, after her break-up with Shahid. As we just said, she was in a live-in relationship with Saif for five years before they finally tied the knot in 2012. But did you know that the couple used to check into hotels as Mr and Mrs Khan way before their wedding?
Also, Kareena has a very strict take on infidelity within relationships. She was once asked about her opinion on celebrities cheating on their spouses and all she said in response to that was, "I will slaughter him."
5. She’s been a blessing in disguise for many heroines
Not only has Kareena had a prolific film career herself, she has inadvertently helped many other female actors become successful by rejecting roles offered to her first. For example, she turned down Hrithik’s 2001 hit Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai which ultimately became huge launch pad for Ameesha Patel. And let’s not forget what Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam did for Aishwarya Rai's career.
6. Life hasn’t always been so good to Kareena
She might have been born into what is known as the ‘First Family of Bollywood’ but Kareena has actually had a very humble upbringing. "We weren't brought up in luxury, as people assume about the Kapoor clan. My mom Babita and sister Karisma really struggled to give me a better life, especially mom because she was a single parent,” she once said. “Everything was very limited for us. Karisma went to college in local trains but I escaped that because I didn't go to college here. But I took the school bus, like everyone else.”
Kareena further revealed that the family had one car and not enough money for a driver. “It's only because mom brought us up like this that we value everything we have today. The bad days we have seen have made us very strong and fragile at the same time. And the experiences have made me a very intense person."
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.