Bollywood actress Kajol’s refusal to speak Hindi goes viral

At the 2025 Maharashtra State Film Awards in Mumbai, Bollywood icon Kajol sparked a heated debate, not for her award, but for her language choice. Honoured with the prestigious Raj Kapoor Award for her cinematic legacy, she delivered her acceptance speech in Marathi and English, a heartfelt tribute to her roots and the occasion.

However, when a reporter asked her to repeat her remarks in Hindi, Kajol responded sharply, “Abhi main Hindi mein bolu? Jisko samajhna hai, woh samajh lenge.” (“Should I speak in Hindi now? Those who want to understand will.”) The moment went viral, igniting both backlash and support.

Social media reactions were wildly polarised. Critics accused her of hypocrisy, questioning why she appears in Hindi cinema but refuses to speak the language publicly. Remarks included: “If she’s ashamed of Hindi, maybe she should stop acting in Hindi films,” and “Why is she working in Hindi movies if she doesn’t respect the language?”

On the other side, many praised her stance. Supporters highlighted the appropriateness of speaking Marathi at a state-backed Marathi film event and lauded her for honouring her mother tongue and regional identity.

This deeply personal moment underscores larger cultural currents—balancing multilingual expression and regional pride in a nation as linguistically diverse as India. As Kajol herself reminded fans on Instagram, standing on the very stage her mother once did, sometimes words are only part of the story