A prominent actress, whose name resonates with the Bollywood of the 1990s, carved a niche for herself with her captivating performances and endearing screen presence. While details regarding a specific actress who "edged out Madhuri" remain ambiguous, Karisma Kapoor stands out as a leading lady who, alongside Govinda, ruled the box office with a string of successful comedies.
Karisma Kapoor and Govinda became one of the most beloved on-screen pairs of the 90s. Their film "Raja Babu" was recently re-released in Mumbai as part of a film festival. Their on-screen chemistry in movies such as "Raja Babu", "Coolie No. 1", "Hero No. 1", and "Haseena Maan Jaayegi" earned them a dedicated fan base, making them an iconic duo in Bollywood history. They starred together in 11 films, most of which were major successes.
However, Karisma's career trajectory took a turn as she decided to move away from the "masala films" she was known for with Govinda. She strategically chose to work with the leading Khans of the industry – Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan. This shift proved to be a game-changer, with her role opposite Aamir Khan in "Raja Hindustani" (1996) catapulting her into the A-list category.
Interestingly, Govinda was linked to several of his co-stars throughout his career. Actresses such as Neelam Kothari, Divya Bharti and Madhuri Dixit were rumored to have had affairs with Govinda. Govinda confessed in a 1990 interview that he broke off his engagement with his wife Sunita, hoping to marry Neelam Kothari.
In other news, there have been reports about Bollywood actor Govinda and his wife Sunita Ahuja potentially divorcing after 37 years of marriage. However, Sunita Ahuja has dismissed these rumors in a viral video, firmly asserting that no one can come between her and Govinda. She clarified that their living arrangements, which involve separate houses, stemmed from security concerns when Govinda joined politics and their daughter was growing up.
While Govinda and Sunita have denied divorce rumors, other actresses have gone through high profile divorces. Karisma Kapoor's marriage to businessman Sunjay Kapur ended in 2016 after a prolonged legal battle. As part of their divorce settlement, Karisma received a luxurious house and a substantial financial sum. Reports suggest the alimony was around Rs 70 crore. Sunjay also agreed to set up a trust fund for their children. In 2025, it was reported that Sunjay Kapur bought bonds worth ₹14 crore for his children after his divorce from Karisma Kapoor and gave her the family-owned home.
Another actress, Amrita Arora's husband, Shakeel Afzal Ladak, has an estimated wealth of Rs. 87 crore.
Expensive divorces are not exclusive to Bollywood. Steven Spielberg's divorce from actress Amy Irving in 1989 cost him $100 million.
Despite any personal life complexities, the actress who dominated the 90s alongside Govinda remains an icon.