Kapadia's screen image has been characterised in terms of her perceived beauty and sex appeal. "The Times of India" wrote in reference to her role in "Saagar", "Dimple was a vision of lush beauty; quite the forbidden fruit, rising from the ocean like Aphrodite emerging from the waves and surf". Speaking of her post-comeback screen persona, the critic Khalid Mohamed observed, "Her arsenal comprised, among other elements, expressive cognac eyes, a nuanced, resonating voice skilled in Hindustani dialogue delivery, easy body language, and that seductive toss of her auburn hair." Mrinal Sen, who directed her in "Antareen" (1993), compared Kapadia to Sophia Loren and described her face as "a landscape of desolation". Anil Kapoor, her co-star of "Janbaaz", hailed Kapadia as the most beautiful Indian actress since Madhubala. According to Dinesh Raheja, Kapadia's casting in "Dil Chahta Hai" (2001) and "Leela" (2002), in which she played middle-aged women who are the object of younger men's desire, served as "a kind of tribute to her eternal beauty".