Mumbai, Feb 3 (NationPress) Actress Lisa Ray is commemorating the 25th anniversary of her 2001 film Kasoor, a project she describes as a pivotal moment in her career that subtly defied the norms of Hindi cinema during its release.

Lisa took to Instagram to share the music video of "Mohabbat Ho Na Jaye" from Kasoor. In her reflective post, she expressed what the film represented for her, stating that agreeing to participate felt like "stepping into my power."

"25 years of Kasoor. Let that resonate. When I committed to this film, it felt like stepping into my power—quietly yet decisively. A strong female lead. A genuine character arc. Emotional depth. No extravagant dance sequences. No conventional formula," she noted.

Describing the character as emotionally intricate, she emphasized its focus on genuine feelings rather than spectacle, contrasting it with the typical Bollywood formula prevalent in the 1990s.

"It was somber, introspective, and guided by emotion rather than showiness. In many aspects, Kasoor embodied everything Bollywood wasn’t at that time," she reflected.

Lisa recounted the skepticism she faced regarding the project, with many asserting that audiences were unprepared for a strong female lead or a dark, introspective storyline.

"In the 90s, after declining several mainstream roles, I was told—quite confidently—that this film wouldn’t succeed. No one would want to watch a powerful female character. It’s too dark. And yet… here we are," she recalled.

Lisa expressed her appreciation for co-actor Aftab Shivdasani, praising him as a sincere and dedicated partner, and thanked director Vikram Bhatt for believing in the emotional depth and quietness of the narrative when it was a less obvious choice.

"Working with @aftabshivdasani was a delight—present, sincere, and deeply devoted. Thank you for being such an amazing co-actor and collaborator. And to the Bhatts and Vikram Bhatt—thank you for having faith in the stillness, the silences, and the emotional authenticity of this story when it wasn’t the conventional choice," she expressed.

Highlighting the music of the film, she described it as "timeless and melodious," adding that the songs are deeply ingrained in memories of love, heartache, and youth.

"And then, of course, the music. Timeless. Melodious. Those songs have interwoven themselves into people’s memories—first loves, heartbreaks, long drives, cherished moments of youth. That kind of resonance is a gift that cannot be manufactured," she noted.

Reflecting on the film's legacy, Lisa affirmed that Kasoor was among the early films that transformed the representation of women on screen, stating, "not flawless, but meaningful."

"Looking back, I can honestly say that Kasoor was one of the pioneering films that shifted how women could be portrayed on screen—not flawless, but meaningful. Something about the performances, the atmosphere, the emotions we conveyed… it endured. Most importantly, thank you to the audience. For watching. For remembering. For demonstrating—time and again—that strong female narratives do not fade. They linger. And then they endure," she concluded.

Kasoor, a legal thriller, also features Apoorva Agnihotri, the late Irrfan Khan, and Ashutosh Rana. The film is an unofficial remake of the 1985 American film Jagged Edge, with the climax inspired by the 2000 American horror film What Lies Beneath.