When Kareena Kapur made her debut in Refugee (2000), the media landscape was analog. Entertainment content relied on film stills and magazine photoshoots. Yet, even then, her images carried a specific gravitas. Editors knew that putting Kareena on the cover—whether she was sporting a platinum blonde streak or a traditional choli —guaranteed newsstand sales.
, where she portrayed a sex worker, breaking away from her "glamour girl" image. Other critically acclaimed performances include (2006), and Udta Punjab Commercial Prowess: