By Subhash K Jha

Mumbai, June 18 (IANS) This comeback will be a whammy for Karisma Kapoor. For Vikram Bhatt's "Dangerous Ishq", the actress is going to play five roles in five different lifetimes spanning a whole gamut of India's mythological and historical events.

Karisma will start by playing Mirabai, a devotee of Lord Krishna, and then move forward in time, that includes the partition era, Indira Gandhi's assassination and the present day politics.

Reluctant to reveal the details, Vikram Bhatt, who is busy researching the women characters of ancient medieval and modern India, says: "Yes, Karisma's character will go back into four different eras and lifetimes, plus there's a role in present times. So, it's actually a total of five roles. The story opens in 1498 and then moves through various eras to contemporary times."

Karisma's part in "Dangerous Ishq" crosses all the historical and cinematic boundaries ever crossed by female actors. Apparently, Karisma was told she would require intense research and preparation for the parts and she was game.

Says Vikram: "Karisma has always been a very hard-working and capable actress. But in terms of challenges posed to her performing abilities, I feel there have been not too many golden opportunities. I feel this is the right time for Karisma to do 'Dangerous Ishq'. It takes her to a new level as an actor."

There's also the added challenge of doing heavy-duty action sequences for the first time. Though Vikram doesn't talk about it, it is understood that she would be doing major action sequences requiring training in the martial arts. Karisma has taken on the challenge quite happily.

The film, written by Amin Haji, would have Karisma sharing screen space with five leading men. And this time, it is believed the guys being considered are not the Vikram Bhatt regulars like Aftab Shivdasani and Dino Morea.