Kajol at 46: A look at the Bollywood icon's best movies

Bollywood actress Kajol marches to her own beat. She isn’t prolific like many other stars, but she commands an army of adoring fans primarily because of her interesting and versatile movie choices.

She made her debut with the 1992 film ‘Bekhudi’, which turned out to be a flop, but went on to star in a number of now-iconic films. She has even acted in South Indian movies such as ‘Minsara Kanavu’ and ‘Velaiilla Pattadhari 2’.

As this award-winning actress and wife of actor Ajay Devgn celebrates her 46th birthday today, we look at her seven of her most memorable films in her slim-but-sturdy career…

Baazigar (1993): Could you imagine falling in love with a man who murdered your sister by pushing her off a building? ‘Baazigar’ was a murky love story and revenge saga that explored this concept with a vengeance. Kajol as the feisty 20-something Priya was in her element here as a naive lover who begins to suspect that her boyfriend is hiding something sinister in his life. This film also marked the beginning of a hit on-screen pairing between Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. The two had enough chemistry to keep this thriller alive. Directed by Abbas-Mustan, the movie also marked the debut of Shilpa Shetty. But we absolutely loved was Kajol’s raw talent and beauty. While her unibrow divided audiences, everyone agreed that a talent was unearthed when they saw Kajol in action in this film.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995): If I had to recommend the ultimate love story in Bollywood, then it has to be Kajol’s ‘DDLJ’ with Shah Rukh Khan. Kajol played a London-bred Simran who falls in love with Raj (Khan) on a girl’s trip to Europe. The romance then moves to Punjab where Raj tries to win over Simran’s conservative family. It’s one of those feel-good films that never loses its charm. It’s also one of those romances that make you believe that happily-ever-after endings in life aren’t elusive. Also watch out for the train scene where Simran is late to catch her train to Europe, but Raj extends his hands just in time for her to hop on. The songs in this film are magical too.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998): Imagine Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Salman Khan and Kajol joining hands to give us a cracker of a film. The Karan Johar directorial has all the ingredients to make a sumptuous romance. Good-looking people: check; Fancy colleges: check; Unending drama: check. This is one of those movies that make you believe that college sweethearts and romances last forever. This is also your chance to see Kajol transform from a tom boy in cropped hair to a graceful sari-clad beauty.

Fanaa (2006): The movie starring Kajol and Aamir Khan may have its flaws, but she didn’t stumble in her turn as a blind Kashmiri woman Zooni Ali Beg, who meets the love of her life while on a trip to Delhi. Directed by Kunal Kohli, the movie morphs from a romance between a blind woman and her sprightly tourist guide to a terrorism thriller rapidly, but there’s a lot to be enjoyed in this film. The evolution and twists may be far-fetched, but there’s no denying the collective acting prowess of Kajol and Khan in this film.

We Are Family (2010): This Hindi adaptation of Susan Sarandon and Julia Robert’s weepy ‘Step Mom’ didn’t hold a candle to the original, but it was interesting to see Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kajol put on a good show as two women competing for the affections of the same man. Her role as a control-freak single parent struggling with cancer will make you reach for your tissues.

Helicopter Eela (2018): It’s not easy to fall in love with helicopter parents who try to control every facet of their child’s life, but Kajol managed to inject frailty and vulnerability into her mom act in this mother-son drama. Directed by Pradeep Sarkar, Kajol plays the titular role to perfection. She is both annoying and adorable.

Devi (2020): If you are looking for vicarious empowerment and sobering reality of sexual violence against women and children in India, then Kajol’s all-female new short film about reluctant sisterhood ‘Devi’ hits home. The film, written and directed by Priyanka Banerjee, opens with a roomful of nine disparate, disgruntled women from different social strata, ages and backgrounds huddled in a living room bickering. ‘Devi’ spelt the entry of acclaimed actors like Kajol into short films and underlined their willingness to experiment.