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t he last year and this year has been one that belonged to the Kajols, the Ranis, maybe even the odd Tabu. But what of Karisma Kapoor?

The pretty woman who had four hits in 1996 and three in 1997, winning a national award for one of them, wasn't anywhere on view in 1998. Of course, it has nothing to do with her. None of the films she were doing since have seen the light of day. We wondered she must be chafing at the delay and so went over to check out for ourselves at her home.

We found that, as before, she is pretty relaxed about everything. She makes some small talk suggests we have a soft drink and some piping hot samosas. When you look up inquiringly, she giggles, a bit of her old girlishness showing through, and says, "No I haven't made them."

The soft drink, of course, is Coke, the product she has been endorsing recently.

Dressed in a pink churidar, Karisma looks as pretty as the poster from Dil To Pagal Hai behind her. But unlike many actresses, she doesn't look different on and off screen.

But as we critically observe, we note that her hairstyle is looking better, and her selection of clothes is getting, well, more selective. Gone are those baby pinks and blues she revelled in earlier. Now there are more vibrant colours -- and a finer taste in clothes -- on display. Her hairstyle's better... Well, everything about her seems to have new bounce.

The child in her has clearly gone. Her eyes don't dart uncertainly as they used to; there is a coolness about that eye that hints at experience. She is less ebullient, more introspective.

The biggest recent change in her life happened after her role as Nisha in Dil To Pagal Hai. People began seeing her in a different light after that.

"The response and the attitude of the people towards me has changed," she says. But that hasn't turned her head.

"Why should it? You've known me for so many years. Do you feel that there has been any change in me? Success or failure cannot affect me. Yes, but if I am not doing well, I do try and correct myself, or try and see to it that I do things that help me rather than sit and mull over my shortcomings." So what lies ahead?

"I have four releases coming up quite soon. First there is Silsila Hai Pyar Ka, then Biwi No 1, Haseena Maan Jayegi and, I believe,Hum Saath Saath Hain. Then there is Sajid Nadiadwala's film with Salman Khan, Chal Mere Bhai with Salman and Sanjay Dutt, and many more... But first we have to clear the backlog of all the films that were to be released in 1998."

It was a little frustrating that after two years where hit followed hit -- four in 1996 and three in 1997 -- the troubles her producers were having saw to it none of her films being released in 1998. Hadn't that hampered her chances to clearly establish that she was No 1?

"Nothing like No 1. But the fact is that I needed one release at least. But then all those films slated to release this year, never came about. It is not my fault, but then I guess it has been a much wanted break where I could concentrate on shooting for my films," she says.

Even during that break, as she termed it, she wasn't really idle. She did a few ads that relied on her to provide the glamour.

"The Dabur Amla ad has been very well done and it was also very lucrative. I don't disclose figures but it was a good thing to happen to me. The same goes for the one I did for Lux International. That is another great brand to promote. But the best thing that happened to me was the Coke ad. It feels very nice when you realise that you are endorsing the world's biggest brand. You find that you are in the same league as all those great people who had endorsed Coke before you. You are actually placed on par with the best artistes or sportspersons in the world, when you are promoting the ad which only great celebrities have endorsed."

If there is one cloud that smears her horizon it is the one placed by the gossip mill, which suggested a role she was offered in Hello Brother went to Rani because she, Karisma, demanded a huge sum.

"They [the producers] are all good friends," she protests. "There is no way I could have refused the film if it had been offered to me. Even if I try and clarify the point, the magazines do not want to carry my version. I guess, I have to stick to only doing work and forget the rest."

After seven-and-a-half years in the industry, isn't she still used to the gossip?

"I stopped getting upset some time ago, but I cannot stand personal attacks," she says, looking more than a little annoyed.

The gossip magazines were full of news about how Karisma had used and ditched an old friend of hers. The chap was even in love with her and wanted to make a film with her and Kareena, they has claimed.

"I can understand it if they say I did not do well in a particular scene or that I am signing the wrong films. But not such slander," she says.

But despite the setbacks, Karisma isn't really worried. A national award can certainly work wonders.

"1998 was not exactly a non-happening year, you know, because it was when I actually got the national award from the President's hands. I cannot forget a single moment of the presentation ceremony -- when I was walking up the stairs to receiving the award, with my entire family and friends watching me do so... From the President of India!

"I could not believe I had won the best supporting actress award ahead of talented performers like Shabana Azmi and Seema Biswas. My hard work showed, though I had never really expected that award."

Ah, past laurels. But then, being what she is, Karisma can look forward to more in future too.

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