In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Kajol reflected on how her relationship with the film world has evolved over time. After more than thirty years in front of the camera, she admits that her outlook has softened. “Everyone I’ve ever worked with, even those I didn’t particularly like back then, I find myself liking now,” she says with a laugh. Time, it seems, has mellowed her.Her presence on screen remains strong. Kajol returned for The Trial Season 2 and is stepping into the talk-show space with Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle. She is also preparing for Maharagni: Queen of Queens, an action thriller featuring Prabhu Deva.
When asked if she ever took things too seriously, Kajol smiles and shakes her head. “No, never. I used to be far less forgiving though, and I have definitely become more patient with time.”
Relationships that outlast the spotlight
Looking back, Kajol says she never viewed her career as something to endure. “I was lucky. Whatever work I did, it was always about the people. They made everything worthwhile,” she explains.It is those connections, not the projects, that she cherishes most. “Whether it’s Baazigar or any other film, Abbas-Mastan still message me. On my birthday, my husband’s, even my kids’, they reach out. That bond has lasted all these years. What we shared was truly special.”
Grounded by legacy, driven by passion
Kajol admits she never saw the film industry with wide-eyed wonder. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in cinema, it felt like an ordinary part of life. “It was never extraordinary to me,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter India. “My grandfather, my parents, my aunt and my grandmother were all part of it. It was simply normal for me.”That background, she believes, shaped her understanding of the business. “You only join this industry if you have a little bit of madness,” she says with a grin. “You need that spark of passion and a touch of being star-struck to survive here. It helps you forgive the industry’s flaws and keep moving forward.”
