In a recent interview with India Today, acclaimed Bollywood actress Kajol opened up about the challenges she faced in the initial phase of her acting career, revealing that she once contemplated quitting after her third film. Kajol, who has since become one of the industry’s most celebrated stars, credited Shah Rukh Khan’s advice for motivating her to continue.
Reflecting on her early experiences, Kajol said, “I did a film long back called Udhaar Ki Zindagi. That was, I think, my third film. I was very new. I must have been about 17 or 18 at that time. And I remember, I finished the film, and before that, Shah Rukh was like, ‘You know you just have to learn how to act.’”
At the time, Kajol admitted she didn’t fully grasp Shah Rukh’s words, feeling confident in her performances. “I was like, ‘What is he talking about? Of course, I’m doing a fabulous job.’ But after completing Udhaar Ki Zindagi, I remember telling my mother, ‘Mom, I’m done. At 18-and-a-half, I’m burnt out. I cannot cry anymore, I don’t want to put glycerine in my eyes anymore, and I don’t want to do these films anymore.’”
Kajol recounted feeling exhausted from the emotional toll of acting in dramatic roles and expressed a desire to pursue lighter films. “I wanted to do films with ‘four scenes and ten songs,’” she said, adding that it was at this point she signed movies like Gunda Raj and Hulchul. It was during these projects that Kajol began to grasp the techniques of acting more fully.
Kajol’s Filmography
Kajol made her Bollywood debut in 1992 with Bekhudi and quickly rose to fame with roles in iconic films like Baazigar (1993), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Gupt (1997), and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). Her on-screen chemistry with Shah Rukh Khan remains one of the most cherished partnerships in Bollywood.
Upcoming Projects
Kajol is set to reunite with her Dilwale co-star Kriti Sanon in the upcoming film Do Patti, which is co-produced by Kriti herself. Directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi, the romantic thriller also stars Shaheer Sheikh and Tanvi Azmi, and is scheduled to release on October 25, 2024.