Kajol is one of the most talented Bollywood actresses to hit the silver screen and her onscreen effervescence has won her millions of fans over the years.
She made her debut in Bekhudi (1992) but tasted success with Baazigar (1993), where she teamed up with Shah Rukh Khan for the first time.
Though she has given hits like Yeh Dillagi, Ishq and Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, she is best remembered for her adorable pairing with Shah Rukh in blockbusters like Karan Arjun, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum.
And incidentally, the last three films fetched her Filmfare Best Actress Awards.
She married popular actor Ajay Devgan in 1999 and after the birth of her daughter, Nysa, she took a sabbatical from her acting career.
She made a successful comeback with 2006's super hit Fanaa in which she was paired opposite Aamir Khan. The film fetched her a Filmfare Best Actress Award for the fourth time.
Kajol now makes a return to silver screen with U, Me Aur Hum (You, Me and We). The film marks the directorial debut of Devgan and she will be seen opposite him in the film. Simultaneously, she also makes her debut as a judge in Zee TV's reality show, Rock N Roll Family.
The reality show brings her husband and mother, Tanuja, together for the first time to judge the participants.
Kajol spoke to tabloid! about her films, the TV show and her life as a wife and mother in an exclusive interview:
How was the experience of acting under Ajay Devgan's direction in U, Me Aur Hum?
It has been a very pleasant experience. There has been no problem whatsoever on the sets as Ajay was totally in control of his unit while shooting this film.
I think shooting for U, Me Aur Hum has indeed been one of my finest experiences ever while doing a film. I believe the film has shaped up very well.
Did your personal relationship ever interfere during the making of this film?
Not at all. I think we both are aware that we are professionals first and then comes our personal relationship. We both have worked together in films earlier and so we understand each other when it comes to acting.
With Ajay taking up the responsibility as a director, I had to support him on the sets both as an actress and wife.
Did you agree to do this film just because it was Ajay Devgan's directorial debut or did you actually find your character fascinating?
I wouldn't like to do a film just for Ajay's sake as that would mean insulting his ability. Ajay would never want me to act in his film just because I am his wife or because of the commercial viability of the film.
He respects me as an actress and similarly I respect his sensibilities. I believe in Ajay's subject and loved the script. I play a simple and ordinary character and there is nothing exceptional about it but the way that character is portrayed makes the difference.
So, it may not be an extraordinary role yet it has those poignant moments that I could connect to. I did what I believed in as an actress.
Could you tell us something about your next film with Ajay Devgan, Toonpur Ka Super Hero?
Toonpur Ka Super Hero is probably India's first 3D animation combined with live action. The film is about a reel-life hero played by Ajay who accidentally lands in a world of cartoons and transforms into a real-life hero. It is a family adventure film that should appeal to everyone. I am very excited about this project.
What's happening on your project with Karan Johar?
Karan Johar approached me for this film and in principle I agreed with the concept of the film. But we are yet to meet again and finalise the details of this project. Currently, I am just aware that it will star Shah Rukh Khan and Karan is working on the script.
What made you to take a plunge into Zee TV's Rock N Roll Family?
Zee TV's Rock N Roll Family is a unique concept on television. I liked the idea of a game show where three generations of a family will participate in a dance competition.
My mom, Ajay and myself mutually agreed to be part of this show as we felt this show is very different from what is shown on television nowadays. So it's fun for all three of us to judge the participants who are so enthusiastic to perform in this show.
With so much happening around you, how do you balance your time between your family, especially your daughter, Nysa, and your professional career?
It is never an easy task balancing your personal and professional lives but where there is a will, there is a way. Moreover, I love spending time with my daughter. She is my first priority.
Do you plan to have more children in the near future?
(Giggles). I would ideally love to have another two babies in near future and complete my family.
And probably then you can proudly tell Ajay Devgan, U, Me Aur Hum?
Well said. (Ends with her trademark laughter).
Kajol and Devgan - just two mush
Kajol and Devgan got close to each other during the making of Hulchul and Gundaraj during 1994-95. Two back-to-back films helped them to know each other well and they started dating.
It was around the same time when Kajol hit the big league with the super success of Dilwale Dulhaniye Le Jayenge and was doing films with top banners. Comparatively, Devgan was content doing run-of-the mill flicks.
But this hardly had any impact on their relationship, which was rock-solid. Their off screen romance was reflected in their onscreen chemistry in romantic hits Ishq (1997) and Pyar To Hona Hi Tha (1998). With the success of the film, and their romance at its peak, they decided to get married.
They got married on February 24, 1999. Kajol continued to act after marriage and her onscreen pairing with Shah Rukh Khan was a huge success, especially the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum.
There were also rumours that Devgan wasn't happy about Kajol and Khan's close association and discouraged her from acting opposite Khan. But Devgan and Kajol brushed aside these allegations.
Kajol gave birth to a daughter, Nysa, four years after their marriage and focused on raising her daughter while Devgan consolidated his professional career.
Vivacious Kajol and ultra sober Devgan make one of the most romantic real-life couples in Bollywood. And their strong marital relationship often encourages corporate entities to sign them for advertisements depicting them as the perfect family.
Kajol's top films
Kajol is one of the most talented actresses in Bollywood. Here's a list of some of her successful films:
Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum
Fanaa
Karan Arjun
Baazigar
