Bebo: Unfiltered & Unapologetic

A series of controversies that KKK has brought upon herself in her pre-PR era.

Picture an era where attitudes were as fierce as the battle for lead roles, and Kareena Kapoor emerged not as a player but as the game-changer. With alleged showdowns with co-stars and sass that could make even the boldest blush, Kareena grabbed the narrative by the horns, leaving everyone wondering, "W*F just happened?"

From the iconic "Who the hell are you?" directed at Dia Mirza to cheeky jabs at Bipasha and Vidya Balan, Kareena's journey is a wild safari through the highs, lows, and unfiltered candor of the industry's favourite firebrand.

On Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. “The film was made for Hrithik. His dad spent five hours on every frame and close-up of his, whereas not even five seconds were spent on Amisha. There are portions in the film where she has pimples and under-eye bags on her face. She doesn't look beautiful, but every shot of his was a dream. If I were in the film, I would have definitely got a better deal, but I still feel that the attention would have been divided between us. So, I'm glad I didn't do the film."

On her flop debut. "Okay so I have given only flops. But why am I still being paid more than Amisha? I have the talent. I'm confident. And I know I'll be remembered always. I don't want Amisha Patel's history hits. I don't want to be mediocre in hit films. I'd rather be brilliant in flop movies."

Devdas broke her heart. Sanjay Leela Bhansali did a screen test with Kareena for the role of Paro in Devdas, but went on to cast Aishwarya Rai instead. In an interview to Filmfare Magazine back then, Kareena quoted this,*"*Sanjay Bhansali is a confused director. He is a person who does not stand by his word. He doesn't have any morals and principles in life. Tomorrow, even if he is the next Raj Kapoor or Guru Dutt, and my films don't do well and if I'm a flop actress, I will still not ever work with him."

Jab she met Shahid and then when she was possessive about him. "I'll most definitely marry Shahid. I'm not the kind to jump from one relationship to another. For me love is for keeps." Back then, the Kapoor babe was so possessive about Shahid, here is what she said, "I do not mind being put behind bars for killing any woman who dared have an eye on Shahid."

On Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. When a journalist asked Kareena how different, the film, Heroine would have come out if Ash was the lead instead of her. To which Kareena Kapoor replied, "It is very unfair to compare us, we're from two different generations."

On her talent. "My film-makers have accepted me. They know I'm in a league of my own. Madhuri Dixit gave her first hit after nine years. Sridevi never had a historical hit. And yet they were the top actresses because they were immensely talented. The same goes for me too."

On National Awards. "I don't want the national award... I seriously do not need any such thing. I would only want the audience to go and watch the film once and that will be more than enough for me. Once everybody should see the movie and say it is a good watch."

A dig at Priyanka Chopra. "Heroine is far bigger and better than Fashion." Looks like, Kareena still considers herself to have an edge over our 'Exotic PC.'

On Ameesha Patel. Not many people know that Kareena was to debut in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai in place of Ameesha Patel. So, no wonder she had a lot to say about her and film. When Kareena refused to go on a world tour for a stage show with Ameesha Patel, the organisers had to replace Ameesha, On which Kareena said, "If she was a bigger star than me, I would have been replaced. So I rest my case."

In a world where candor was often overshadowed by political correctness and the never ending PR this & that, Kareena Kapoor stood tall – unapologetic, bold, and utterly herself. The truest Poo. As we bid adieu, we can't help but applaud the audacity that defined an era.