India’s Best Dancer Season 5 Episode: 5 Unforgettable 90s Dance Stories Karisma Kapoor Revealed

14th July 2026, Mumbai: As a judge on India's Best Dancer Season 5, Bollywood's ultimate reigning queen of the 90s, Karisma Kapoor, has been treating fans to a treasure trove of rare, personal, and deeply entertaining industry secrets. Celebrating the true spirit of India Wala Dance, she has spent her weeks on the panel sharing rare insights into what went on behind the making of some of Hindi cinema's biggest musical blockbusters.

Here are the top 5 unforgettable behind-the-scenes dance anecdotes Karisma Kapoor shared on the India's Best Dancer stage:

1. The Staggering 20 Costume Changes for the song 'Jhanjhariya'

Karisma looked back at her incredible 35-year journey in cinema, which began with her very first film photo session. She revealed that she had to undergo a monumental 20 costume changes for the female version of her hit track 'Jhanjhariya', reminiscing about an era when iconic film fashion was driven by pure instinct, spontaneity, and on the spot creative magic.

2. The Madh Island Deception Behind the song 'What Is Mobile Number'

Revisiting her blockbuster pairing with Govinda and director David Dhawan for 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi,' Karisma shared a hilarious continuity secret. While the entire plot of the movie was set in Goa, the smash hit 'What Is Mobile Number' was actually filmed entirely in just one day at a resort in Madh Island, Mumbai. She even recalled teasing David Dhawan about a major background giveaway that she feared would ruin the film's success though, surprisingly, audiences never noticed it.

3. Getting No Rest from a Young Assistant named Vaibhavi Merchant

Long before Vaibhavi Merchant became one of Indian cinema's most celebrated, powerhouse choreographers, she was a fiercely disciplined assistant to Chinni Prakash and Rekha Prakash. Karisma recalled how hard working and strict a young Vaibhavi was on the sets of movies like 'Police Officer' and 'Krishna', playfully noting that Vaibhavi was so fiercely passionate about perfecting expressions and routines that she wouldn't let her sit down to rest even for two minutes.

4. The Film That Demanded the Longest Rehearsals of Her Career

Known for her flawless execution and natural rhythm, Karisma dropped the surprising revelation that actors rarely got much time to rehearse for songs in the 90s. However, Yash Chopra's grand dance musical,'Dil To Pagal Hai', completely broke that norm because it marked choreographer Shiamak Davar's very first Hindi film and she was sharing the screen with dance royalty like Madhuri Dixit, Karisma spent the longest rehearsal hours of her career to ensure iconic pieces like the Dance of Envy turned out exceptional.

5. Karisma Kapoor Revisits Her Early Bollywood Journey and Working with Chinni Prakash

Karisma opened up about her formative years collaborating with the legendary choreographer duo, Chinni Prakash and Rekha Prakash. She marveled at how they managed to shoot massive, perfectly synchronized tracks featuring hundreds of dancers spread across complex terrains in an era without camera monitors. Recalling her first project with Chinni Prakash on 'Police Officer,' Karisma shared how she was made to meet perfection while feeling awkward in a heavy Amrapali outfit as a young girl, attributing those strict training sessions as the ultimate learning experience that shaped her into a superstar.

Don't miss India's Best Dancer Season 5 every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 PM only on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV!