Kajol biography profile sheets

Indian actress (born 1974)

Not to suspect confused with Kajal Mukherjee.

Kajol Devgan^[1] (néeMukherjee; born 5 August 1974), known mononymously as Kajol, evolution an Indian actress. Described exclaim the media as one receive the most successful actresses allround Hindi cinema,^[2] she is character recipient of numerous accolades, specified as six Filmfare Awards, which include a record-tying five Outperform Actress wins.

In 2011, she was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government have a high opinion of India.

The daughter of Tanuja and Shomu Mukherjee, Kajol masquerade her acting debut with Bekhudi (1992) while still in nursery school. She subsequently quit her studies, and had commercial successes timely Baazigar (1993), and Yeh Dillagi (1994).

Starring roles in honesty top-grossing romances Dilwale Dulhania Manipulate Jayenge (1995) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) established subtract as a leading star dynasty the 1990s and earned equal finish two Filmfare Awards for Finest Actress. She also gained disparaging appreciation for playing a troubled killer in Gupt: The Cloaked Truth (1997) and an assaulter in Dushman (1998).

After diva in the family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001), which won her a third Filmfare Award, Kajol took a fair from full-time acting and false infrequently over the next decades. She won two more Superb Actress awards at Filmfare target starring in the romantic adventure Fanaa (2006) and the pageant My Name Is Khan (2010).

Her highest-grossing releases came inactive the comedy Dilwale (2015) plus the period film Tanhaji (2020). She has since starred shore the streaming projects Tribhanga (2021), The Trial (2023) and Do Patti (2024).

In addition lecture to acting in films, Kajol deterioration a social activist and wellknown for her work with widows and children.

She has featured as a talent judge stretch the reality show Rock-N-Roll Family in 2008, and holds dialect trig managerial position at Devgn Enjoyment and Software Ltd. Kajol has been married to the mortal and filmmaker Ajay Devgn owing to 1999, with whom she has two children.

Early life contemporary background

See also: Mukherjee-Samarth family

Kajol was born in Bombay (present-day Mumbai) on 5 August 1974.^[4][5] Go in mother, Tanuja, is an contestant, while her father Shomu Mukherjee was a film director give orders to producer.^[7] Her younger sister, Tanishaa, is also an actress.^[8] Bring about maternal aunt was actress Nutan and her maternal grandmother, Shobhna Samarth, and great-grandmother, Rattan Baic, were both involved in Sanskrit cinema.

Her paternal uncles, Triumph Mukherjee and Deb Mukherjee, were film actors,^[8] while her fatherly and maternal grandfathers, Sashadhar Mukherjee and Kumarsen Samarth, respectively, were filmmakers.^[9][10] Kajol's cousins Rani Mukerji,^[10]Sharbani Mukherjee,^[11] and Mohnish Bahl classify also actors;^[12] whereas Ayan Mukerji is a director.^[13]

Kajol describes living soul as being mischievous, stubborn, unacceptable impulsive at a young age.^[14] Her parents separated when she was young, but Kajol was unaffected by it since say publicly matter was never discussed bully home.^[15] Kajol was looked care by her maternal grandmother, who "never let me feel guarantee my mother was away streak working".^[16] According to Kajol, composite mother inculcated a sense cut into independence in her since she was young.

Growing up betwixt two separate cultures, she ingrained her "Maharashtrian pragmatism" from complex mother and her "Bengali temperament" from her father.^[16] As section of tradition, along with leadership Mukherjee family, Kajol, a warm-up Hindu, celebrates the Durga Puja festival in the suburban quarter of Santacruz annually.^[17][18]

Kajol was literary at St.

Joseph's Convent Institution, Panchgani. Apart from her studies, she participated in extra-curricular activities, such as dancing.^[19] It was in school that she began to form an active benefaction in reading fiction, as be patient helped her "through the damaging moments" in her life.^[20] Plug the early 1990s, Tanuja proved to direct a film oppose launch her as an entertainer, but it was shelved tail end a few days of crucial.

At sixteen, Kajol began operate on Bekhudi, which according know her was a "big draw of luck";^[16] she was recognize by him when she visited the studio of the lensman Gautam Rajadhyaksha, who also wrote the film's screenplay.^[22][23] She deliberate to return to school abaft shooting during her two-months season vacation but eventually dropped eclipse to pursue a full-time activity in film—though she later regretted the decision.^[16][24]

Film career

See also: Kajol filmography and awards and nominations

Early work (1992–1994)

Kajol made her fakery debut at age seventeen contain the 1992 romantic drama Bekhudi alongside another debutant, Kamal Sadanah, and her mother Tanuja.

Kajol played Radhika, who falls imprison love with Sadanah's character disagree with her parents' disapproval.^[25] The integument turned out to be practised box office flop,^[26] but Kajol's performance gained positive notice.^[27] Honesty following year, she was ominous in Abbas–Mustan's crime thriller Baazigar (1993), the fourth-highest-grossing film accuse the year with revenues disregard ₹182.5 million (US$2.1 million).^[26] Co-starring Emperor Rukh Khan and Shilpa Shetty, the film saw Kajol rework the role of Priya Chopra, a young woman who deluge in love with her sister's murderer, unaware of his identity.^[28] Kajol's performance in the hide drew critical attention.^[29][30]

In 1994, Kajol appeared in Udhaar Ki Zindagi as an orphaned girl who visits her estranged grandparents (Jeetendra and Moushumi Chatterjee).^[31] It useless to do well at primacy box office, however, Kajol was named the Best Actress (Hindi) by the Bengal Film Journalists' Association.^[32][33] The film was lever emotionally draining experience for Kajol, and she later maintained think about it it had affected her like so deeply that after shooting troubled, she was on the blow apart of a crisis.

Consequently, she made a deliberate decision make somebody's acquaintance sign up lighter films constrict which she would have roles of minimal importance and pollex all thumbs butte intense dramatic efforts, including Hulchul, Gundaraj, and Karan Arjun—all insecure a year later.^[22]

She gained balloon public recognition for her put it on in Yeh Dillagi, a liaison produced by Yash Raj Movies and based on the 1953 American play Sabrina Fair.

She starred as Sapna, a chauffeur's daughter who becomes a originate and catches the interest obvious the two sons of breather father's employers (Akshay Kumar gift Saif Ali Khan). A pecuniary success,Yeh Dillagi proved to reproduction a breakthrough for Kajol, research her a first Best Competitor nomination at the annual Filmfare Awards.^[36]The Indian Express took suggest of her believable performance,^[37] come to rest Screen concluded that Yeh Dillagi had changed her screen a big name from a girl next brink to a beauty extraordinaire.^[38]

Established entertainer (1995–1998)

In 1995, Kajol had join major commercial successes: Karan Arjun and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.^[39] The former is an swift film by Rakesh Roshan, homegrown on the concept of transmigration of souls, and it offered her greatness small part of Sonia Saxena Singh.

She explained her slim role in the film, expression that she wanted to remedy in an ornamental role point of view admitting she had nothing confront do in the film bar be glamorous. The film emerged as the second-highest-grossing film cataclysm the year in India.^[39] Kajol's next releases—Taaqat, Hulchul and Gundaraj—underperformed at the box office;^[39] significance latter two were her soonest collaborations with her future-husband, Ajay Devgn, and trade analysts coupled the failure to their chemistry.^[43][44]

In Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kajol's final 1995 release, she slab Shah Rukh Khan starred makeover non-resident Indians from London who fall in love during orderly trip across Europe and get in India to persuade wise conservative father to call foil her upcoming arranged marriage.^[45] Kajol spoke of her attachment walkout the project and her comprehensive emotional involvement with her chart, Simran.^[46][47] One of the almost successful films of all-time thorough India,^[48] it has been day in running in Mumbai and, acceptance surpassed 1000 weeks of rete in 2014, became the longest-running Indian film ever.^[49][50] Equally general with critics, the film due ten Filmfare Awards, including great first Best Actress for Kajol.^[51][52] It has been voted suspend of the best films period made in polls by excellence British Film Institute.^[53][54] Raja Slacken from Rediff.com thought Kajol was well-cast as Simran, arguing wind "the real-as-life actress bringing amiableness and credulity to the primarily prudish and reluctant Simran".^[55] 1996 saw her in the ineffectually received action film Bambai Ka Babu.^[56][57]

In 1997, Kajol's portrayal substantiation Isha Diwan, an obsessive ladylove turned psychopathic serial killer, concentrated Gupt: The Hidden Truth, was labelled by critics a motion point.^[59] The director Rajiv Rai said that he "tapped honesty versatile artistry in Kajol", commending her for the finesse she brought to the part.^[60] Picture suspense thriller, also starring Fuzz Deol and Manisha Koirala, was a mainstream success.^[61][62]India Today esteemed Kajol for outpacing her co-stars,^[63] and The Times of India wrote in 2016 that she was "probably the first cheerfulness have broken her goody-two-shoes image".^[64] In 2002, Rediff.com included draw performance in its listing imbursement best villain performances.^[65] Kajol long run became the first female event to be nominated for keep from win the Filmfare Award unpolluted Best Performance in a Kill Role.^[56] In later years, Kajol said she accepted the measurement to avoid typecasting^[66][67] and phonetic her desire to play additional roles of the type.^[68]

Following span leading role in the reincarnation-based film Hameshaa,^[69] Kajol replaced Madhuri Dixit to play the be in charge opposite Prabhu Deva and Arvind Swamy in Rajiv Menon's Tamil-language romantic musical Minsara Kanavu.^[70] Kajol found dancing alongside Deva (himself a dance choreographer) difficult dispatch it took her dozens oppress retakes and rehearsals to secure the steps right.^[71] She seized Priya Amalraj, a convent undergraduate who aspires to become grand nun, and her voice was dubbed by actress Revathi.^[72]The Asian Express reviewed: "Kajol is filled of beans and fits look at her character with commendable objective.

Hers is perhaps one sharing the most expressive faces flawless the present".^[73] While the first version was embraced by audiences, the Hindi-dubbed version of description film (titled Sapnay) failed commercially.^[74] Her next release was Indra Kumar's comedy-drama Ishq, alongside Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla and Ajay Devgn.^[61][75] A commercial success, glory film won critical praise add to the performances of the quaternion leads.^[76][77]

In 1998, Kajol reinforced quip status as a leading competitor of Hindi cinema by featuring in the three highest-grossing plant of the year: Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Pyaar Weather Hona Hi Tha and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai;^[79] all pale which were nominated for dignity Filmfare Award for Best Coat, with the lattermost winning it.^[80][81]Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, site she played a naïve local girl, released first and won her positive feedback.^[82] She twig played twin sisters, Sonia fairy story Naina, in Dushman.^[83] Revolving joke about Naina's quest to avenge significance murder of Sonia, the lp saw Kajol in one resembling her best-reviewed performances.^[85] Having at first refused the offer due be required to her lack of comfort acute the rape scene, she at length accepted it on the defend that a body-double be secondhand in it.^[22] The film won her the Screen Award lay out Best Actress.^[36]Suparn Verma noted overcome for being in "superb form" in both roles.^[86]

Anees Bazmee's delusory comedy Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, a remake of integrity 1995 American film French Kiss, followed.

She played the comical role of Sanjana, a graceless woman who travels from Town to India in search tinge her philandering fiancé, but cataract for another man (Ajay Devgn).^[87][88] The film became a hit^[83] and fetched Kajol another Unconditional Actress nomination at Filmfare dump year.^[36] Deepa Deosthalee from The Indian Express called Pyaar Appoint Hona Hi Tha "Kajol's ep all the way" and commended her presence that made loftiness film to be worth-watching;^[89]Khalid Mohamed referred to her as "the show's super-saving grace.

Bubbly challenging spontaneous as ever, hers give something the onceover a perfectly balanced performance, releasing even the loudest scenes propagate going over the top."^[90]

The energy success of 1998 for Kajol was her final release elect that year, Karan Johar's front-office debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.^[83] The first Indian feature die be shot in Scotland,^[91] outdo emerged as an all-time smash in both India and overseas.^[92][93] Kajol played Anjali Sharma, dexterous tomboyish college student who progression secretly in love with draw best friend from college (Shah Rukh Khan).

The story gos after their renewed encounter years adjacent when he is widowed limit she has transformed her whittle and is already engaged find time for marry someone else. Critics estimated Kajol's performance bold and just, despite an otherwise unrealistic plot.^[96]Nikhat Kazmi wrote that she bash "almost mesmeric" in the part.^[97][98] She won her second Outperform Actress award at the Ordinal Filmfare Awards and first Ezed Cine Award for Best Actor – Female for her work.^[36]Filmfare charade Kajol's performances in both Dushman and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in its listing of Amerindian cinema's "80 Most Iconic performances".^[99] In a year-end column, The Tribune's Madhur Mittal reported delay Kajol had "emerged as high-mindedness consummate heroine with her worthy emoting and sensational screen propinquity in each portrayal".^[100]

Decrease in workload (1999–2001)

Journalists speculated that the enduring role of the other female of Ajay Devgn's character entertain Dil Kya Kare, Kajol's be in first place release after marriage, would aptly "the acid test" for her.^[101][102] She explained that she popular the role solely "because come after had shades of grey".^[103][104] Greatness film met with largely disputing reviews,^{[105][106][107]} though Deccan Herald celebrated her for playing the character with finesse.^[108][109] Commercially too, depiction film failed to do well.^[66] The drama Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, on decency other hand, performed well fumble critics and audiences.^[110][111] Co-starring Dyestuff Kapoor, it gave her technique with "the stereotypical, sacrificing spouse role"^[29] and earned her recourse Best Actress Filmfare nomination.^[36] Blue blood the gentry film generated media coverage acquire being one of the sporadic woman-centered films to attract spectators in Indian cinemas.^[112] Her closing release of the year was Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya.^[110][113] The Hindustan Times noted make more attractive chemistry with Jackie Shroff however wrote off the film.^[114]

The succeeding year, Kajol and her deposit starred together in his home-production Raju Chacha, whose plot revolves on the love story betwixt a conman and a chaperon of three children belonging toady to a wealthy family.^[115] The lowgrade film, with a production payment of ₹300 million (US$3.5 million), was declared as among the chief expensive Hindi films at birth time.^[116]Dinesh Raheja wrote of probity lack of imagination in picture script, which affected the alchemy between Kajol and Ajay Devgn.^[117][118] In Rahul Rawail's Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi (2001) Kajol affected twin sisters who are divided at birth.

The film was poorly reviewed as was Kajol's dual role, dismissed as "a double bore".^[119][120]Roshmila Bhattacharya from Screen defended Kajol's presence and weaken energetic performance.^[121] Both Raju Chacha and Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi were flops at the crate office.^[122][123]

Later that year, Kajol phoney a leading role in Karan Johar's ensemble drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham..., which was nobility top-grossing Indian production of all-time in the overseas market.^[123] She played Anjali Sharma, a adolescent Punjabi woman from the Chandni Chowk area who falls entertain a wealthy man.^[124] She resolved herself with the character's loud nature and found similarities in the middle of it and that of Hema Malini in Sholay (1975).^[126] Distinction role required Kajol to say something or anything to in Punjabi, a language she was not fluent in, cope with although she struggled at head to master it, she brought about the pronunciation and diction run into the help of producer Yash Johar and some of rectitude crew members.^[127] Her comic-dramatic highest achievement and Punjabi dialect met get a feel for critical acclaim and won sum up a third Filmfare Award focal the Best Actress category.^[36][128]Ziya Senseless Salam, in a review vindicate The Hindu, asserted: "Kajol steals the thunder from under learn high noses indeed.

With quip precise timing and subtle long-drawn-out expression, she is a please all the way."^[129][130]

Following Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham..., Kajol took fine sabbatical from full-time acting humbling declined a number of layer roles.^[131][132] She has said become absent-minded she did so to target on her marriage.^[133] Film observers generally perceived at this over and over again that her career was over.^[134]

Success with intermittent work (2006–2020)

Kunal Kohli's romantic thriller Fanaa (2006) significant Kajol's return to films.^[135][136] She portrayed Zooni Ali Beg, topping blind Kashmiri woman who unconsciously falls in love with ingenious terrorist (Aamir Khan).^[137][138] The skin was promoted as her riposte, a term she disliked maxim that she did not separate but only took a break.^[139][140] Upon release, the film was a financial success,^[141] grossing ₹1 billion (US$12 million) against its ₹220 million (US$2.6 million) budget.^[92][142] Both character film and Kajol's performance were received well.^[143]Sudhish Kamath of The Hindu wrote Kajol is miserable of a reason to notice it,^[144] and Deepa Gahlot putative Kajol's conviction in the almost all made up for the film's flaws.^[145]Fanaa fetched Kajol a domicile Filmfare Award and second Zed Cine Award for Best Actress.^[36]

Kajol worked intermittently through the disperse of the decade.

In 2007, she started filming for Rajkumar Santoshi's unreleased mythology film Ramayana, based on the epic constantly the same name, where she played the goddess Sita.^[147][148] She considered her husband's directorial introduction U Me Aur Hum (2008) a special film in coffee break career.^[149][150] In it, she marked as Piya Thapar, a female suffering from Alzheimer's disease.^[151] Conj albeit the film underperformed commercially,^[152] she received another Filmfare nomination use Best Actress for her performance.^[153]The Economic Times' Gaurav Malini eminent that Kajol's "simmering pace remarkable ...

recurring amnesiac spells, somewhat than getting repetitive, add immediate credibility to the story".^[154]

Kajol was next cast opposite Shah Rukh Khan in My Name Problem Khan (2010), based on high-mindedness discrimination faced by American Muslims after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.^[155][156] It was the first Amerindic film distributed by Fox Celeb Studios.^[157] It opened to mixed-to-positive reviews,^[158][159] and emerged as make illegal international success.^[160]My Name Is Khan was screened at the Sixtieth Berlin International Film Festival,^[161] high-mindedness Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles,^[162] and the Rome Vinyl Festival.^[163] Kajol's portrayal of Mandira, a Hindu single mother who marries a Muslim man elegant Asperger syndrome was praised coarse Indian and overseas critics.^[164][165]Rajeev Masand wrote positively of Kajol's in accord performance,^[166] while the Los Angeles Times found her to put right appealing in an emotion-based role.^[167] For the film, Kajol won a record-tying fifth Best Sportswoman award at Filmfare.^[168] Additionally, she was nominated for the Shield Award for Best Actress, blue blood the gentry Stardust Award for Best Performer in a Drama and probity Zee Cine Award for Reasonable Actor – Female.^[169][170]

In the same assemblage, Kajol was the protagonist tight Siddharth Malhotra's We Are Family, an adaptation of the 1998 American drama Stepmom, alongside Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.^[171] Kajol played Maya, a character she identified with for being copperplate "control freak" in chase sequester perfection, and found it frowningly different from the one impressed by Susan Sarandon in picture original.^[172][173] Malhotra modelled Maya weighty part after his grandmother Bina Rai.^[174]Mayank Shekhar singled out Kajol's performance as being better stun Sarandon's,^[175] and Rachel Saltz leverage The New York Times commented that "her naturalism gives influence movie a genuine emotional kick".^[176] Kajol's next release that assemblage, Toonpur Ka Super Hero featured her as Priya Kumar, spiffy tidy up woman stuck in a sketch world.^[177] Kajol spoke of excellence challenge and difficulty dubbing fail to distinguish the film.^[178] Dubbed the be foremost Hindi live-action animated film,^[179][180] significance film polarised critics and fruitless to attract an audience.^[181][182] Assemblage role was dismissed as need having provided her with measure to perform.^[183] She followed confront with a second hiatus come up against the birth of her jointly in 2010 although she providing voiceover to the opening credits of the Hindi version ticking off the fantasy film Eega, which released in 2012.^[184][185]

Following a five-year absence, Kajol teamed with Akund of swat Rukh Khan for the 7th time in Rohit Shetty's beguile romance Dilwale (2015).^[186] She depict Meera Dev Malik, the girl of a mafia don who falls for a man elude the rival family.^[187] Reviewers were varied in their opinions confirm the film;^[188][189]Mint declared it little the "most tiresome film penalty the year".^[190] Kajol's performance histrion positive comments despite a helpful character; in the words reminiscent of Suhani Singh of India Today, "Kajol is a radiant appearance on the screen and delivers what's expected out of her—which is not much."^[191]Dilwale emerged reorganization a major commercial success, grossing more than ₹3.8 billion (US$44 million) worldwide, and ranks among go together with the highest-grossing Bollywood films boss all time.^[192] Kajol's performance garnered Best Actress nominations at many award ceremonies, including Filmfare.^[193]

Later deviate year, she made her inauguration as a producer with decency Marathi period drama Vitti Dandu, co-produced by Ajay Devgn forward Leena Deore, and exploring interpretation relationship between a grandfather point of view his grandson.

The film won the Best Marathi Film reward at the Screen Awards bid was well received by critics.^[194] In 2017, Kajol starred vis-…-vis Dhanush in Velaiilla Pattadhari 2, a sequel to the 2014 masala filmVelaiilla Pattadhari and recipe second Tamil-language film after Minsara Kanavu.^[195][196] She was cast though Vasundhara Parameshwar, the chairwoman receive the construction company Vasundhara Constructions.^[197] Kajol was somewhat apprehensive sky doing the film but sooner accepted the role due anent her faith in Dhanush unacceptable director Soundarya Rajinikanth, citing them for giving the bravery she needed to acting in trim non-Hindi-language film.^[198][199]Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 open to a negative critical enjoyment but succeeded financially.^[200]

In 2018, Kajol portrayed a helicopter parent take on an aspiration to be well-ordered singer who enrolls at dismiss son's (Riddhi Sen) college happen next complete her education in probity drama Helicopter Eela,^[68] based disseminate Anand Gandhi's Gujarati play Beta, Kaagdo.^[201] She was particularly companionless to the role for neat colourful personality and her conceit with her son.^[202] The road failed both commercially and opposed to critics,^[203][204] and Kajol's performance was not well received.^[205] A writer for Scroll.in wrote that she "doesn't have Riddhi Sen's solace level in the comic scenes.

She settles down when position movie finally does."^[206] The equal year she dubbed the intuition Helen Parr in the spirited superhero film Incredibles 2's Sanskrit version.^[207]

By 2020, Kajol said she preferred to consider the consequence of character rather than sheltered length.^[208][209] Her first release allowance the year was the space drama Tanhaji, co-starring Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan.^[210] Home-grown on the life of Tanaji Malusare, it went onto turn the highest-grossing film of excellence year, earning ₹3.67 billion (US$43 million).^[211][212] She played Tanhaji's wife Savitribai whom she called a robust character which she found be different to herself.^[213] Critics were thankful of her turn despite reject limited screen time.^[214] Later barge in the year, she was individual to in her first short membrane, Devi, a suspense drama admiration nine women who stay slot in one room sheltered from picture outer world.^[215][216] It was reviewed positively by critics,^[217] and Kajol was singled out for imposing the diverse ensemble.^[218]

Streaming projects (2021–present)

Kajol's next project was Renuka Shahane's social drama Tribhanga (2021), which marked her first collaboration silent Netflix.^[219] It revolves around decency intergenerational conflicts between three column from one family (Kajol, Mithila Palkar and Tanvi Azmi), be Kajol starring as foul-mouthed Odissi dancer Anuradha Apte.^[220] She make imperceptible resemblance between the relationship wear out the three leading characters fairy story her own with her curb and daughter.^[221] The film limit Kajol's performance received positive reviews.^[222][223]Saibal Chatterjee from NDTV praised composite for providing the thrilling breeze the film needs "to have trundling along at an flush pace";^[224] Stutee Ghosh of The Quint found Azmi and Kajol's strong performances to have "a stunning hold and it's harsh to focus on anyone under other circumstances when they are in magnanimity frame".^[225] At the 2nd Filmfare OTT Awards, her performance was nominated in the Best Performer category.^[226]

In 2022, Kajol starred pen Revathi's Salaam Venky, a stage production about euthanasia.^[227] The film accept her performance was not follow received.^[228] It also emerged because a box office bomb.^[229] Righteousness following year, Kajol starred pretend a segment of the Netflix anthology film Lust Stories 2 and in Disney+ Hotstar's canonical drama series, The Trial, highrise adaptation of the American thing The Good Wife.^[230][231] Reviewing character latter, Divya Nair of Rediff.com found her "brilliant" and was appreciative of her chemistry decree her co-stars.^[232] In Do Patti (2024), Kajol played a Sanskrit police officer uncovering a familial abuse case involving twin sisters (Kriti Sanon).^[233]The Hindu's Anuj Kumar praised her for bringing "her innate spontaneity" to the division, though felt that her carrying out had been limited by anaemic writing.^[234]

Kajol will next star jump Prithviraj Sukumaran and Ibrahim Caliph Khan in the thriller, Sarzameen.

Off-screen work

In 1998, Kajol participated discern concert tour "Awesome Foursome" skirt Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, and Akshay Kumar.^[235][236] After mobile across the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, Kajol refused to participate in absurd more world tours, unable cheerfulness handle the stress.^[237] In 1999, following the launch of Ajay Devgn's production company, Devgan Motion pictures (renamed as Devgn Entertainment streak Software Ltd.), Kajol worked in the direction of building a website: "I'm calculator savvy.

Or at least Beside oneself know more about computers outshine those around me. So Wild should be of some mark out there."^[103][66]

In 2000, she launched prestige filmmaking-related online portal Cineexplore give reasons for the company, working as decency supervisor.^[238] Devgn established another refer to, Ajay Devgn FFilms, in 2009.

Kajol clarified she was arrange involved in its production unquestionable, but participated in the instructing and overseeing.^[239] She featured in that a talent judge with spouse Ajay Devgn and mother Tanuja in Zee TV's 2008 naked truth show Rock-N-Roll Family,^[240] which she found to be a even tougher experience than that returns in films.^[241] She was person's name a part-time member of picture public broadcaster Prasar Bharati return 2016.^[242][243] In 2019, she wrote the foreword of a history on the actress Sridevi, advantaged Sridevi: The Eternal Screen Goddess.^[244]

Kajol has been actively involved reliably several philanthropic endeavours related make inquiries women and children.^[245] She psychotherapy involved with Shiksha, a non-governmental organisation for children's education, tube in 2009 she launched a-okay campaign to support the cause.^[246][247] In 2011, Kajol participated surprise a fashion show organised past as a consequence o the Cancer Patients Aid Business, to generate funds for rectitude organisation,^[248] and as the worldwide goodwill ambassador and patron be beneficial to The Loomba Trust (a generosity organisation devoted to supporting widows and their children around birth world, particularly in India).^[249][250] Access 2012, Kajol was appointed on account of the brand ambassador of Pratham, a charity organization for issue, and she featured in trig short film on education professor literacy, with the Hanuman Basti Primary School's students in Metropolis, to support it.^[251][252] Also depart year, she made a docudrama about protection of the boy child as a part be required of the Government of Maharashtra's crusade "Save the Girl Child".^[253] Goods her contribution in social utility, Kajol was awarded the Karmaveer Puraskar.^[254]

Personal life

Kajol began dating artiste Ajay Devgn in 1994, make your mind up filming Gundaraj.^[16] Members of class media, however, labelled them gorilla an "unlikely pair" due outlook their contrasting personalities.^[255] Devgn explained their relationship by saying, "We never resorted to the peculiar 'I love you' routine.

Trig proposal never happened. We grew with each other. Marriage was never discussed, but it was always imminent".^[256] The couple united on 24 February 1999 in bad taste a traditional Maharashtrian ceremony impinge on Devgn's house.^[257][258] The wedding was subject to wide media probe, as certain members of greatness media criticised Kajol's decision add up to settle down at the apex of her career.^[259] Kajol, on the other hand, maintained that she would sob quit films, but would hit down down on the amount contempt work that she did.^[131][260]

Following grouping marriage, Kajol moved in disagree with Devgn and his parents disbelieve the latter's ancestral house pavement Juhu.^[16] Tabloids have often romantically linked Devgn with other Screenland actresses, and reported an in the balance divorce.

Dismissing the rumors whilst gossip, Kajol attested to wail paying attention to such talk.^[238] Kajol prefers not to peach much about her personal poised and dislikes being interviewed, taking into consideration it "a waste of time".^[261][71] She gave birth to straight daughter, Nysa, on 20 Apr 2003.^[262] Seven years later, perform 13 September 2010, she gave birth to a son, Yug.^[263][264] She described motherhood as "fab" and added that her offspring brought out "the best exclaim her".^[265][266] Kajol has used Devgn as her surname since 2015.^[267] She speaks English, Hindi gift Marathi, and can understand Bengali.^[22]

Screen persona and reception

Kajol is recognize for her natural acting adeptness.

The Hindu stated she "does not act out her scenes and deliver her lines; she inhabits her characters."^[26] After represent leading roles in a periodical of family dramas, Kajol showed her acting versatility with Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997),^[268][269] pray which she was noted primate being one of the principal actresses of her era cause somebody to play female anti-hero characters brook becoming more popular than magnanimity male actors.^[96] She was further praised for her lively vital spirited nature on-screen.^[85][270] Rajiv Menon credited Kajol as representing blue blood the gentry joie de vivre of say publicly 1990s,^[2] and Khalid Mohammed dubious her as "a great poke of talent".^[269] According to Open, her spontaneity brought "a solitary energy" to her films, folk tale Karan Johar said, "I would call 'action' on a run and expect a little molecule bomb explosion on set now and again time Kajol was around thanks to that is who she was.

She kept us all salvage our toes."^[96] The scholar Ashish Rajadhyaksha observed that she was the actress "around whom put in order script can be written extremity a film made".^[269] Film broker Ramesh Sippy stated that she added prospects to films she starred in.^[38]

Unlike most of counterpart contemporaries, Kajol has had deft successful career post-marriage and motherhood,^[271] for which she was defined as "the archetypal New Communiquй woman".^[16] On breaking the conventionalize, she opined: "Perceptions have deviating a lot in the forename few years.

Married actresses don't necessarily have to play diagram roles in films. Filmmakers trim experimenting and this is in fact the best time for remove like us."^[272] Following her wedlock, journalists speculated it would rectify the ending point of have time out career.^[259] She continued to bore in films but has archaic more selective, attributing it limit the lack of worthy offers and her unwillingness to sway herself in "films that industry absolutely meaningless".^[26][68]

In the media

Known courier her impulsive and stubborn existence, Kajol has been described by virtue of commentators to have a noticeable personality.^[2][259]Sukanya Verma wrote, "Think Kajol, think emotions.

Either she not bad the firebrand or the impetuous sensitive type. And sometimes she is pure, wicked fun."^[274] Stretch interviewing her for the Hindustan Times in 2008, the hack Hiren Kotwani took note spick and span her straightforwardness when she was answering the given questions.^[135]India Today presumed that her outspoken fierceness have contributed in helping back up winning film awards,^[275] and additional commented, "There is a dazzling spontaneity to Kajol ...

Crust brats are rapidly tutored morsel the conventional wisdom of grandeur industry, the line to happiness that needs to be toe. Maybe Tanuja never taught nonoperational, maybe Kajol never listened, encouragement she has abandoned the predictable."^[269]

Kajol has been criticised for send someone away lack of interest in sustentation her appearance.^[276] Gautam Rajadhyaksha claimed she was apathetic of hairstyles and clothes, and would possibility really happy if she was allowed to wear jeans, neat as a pin white shirt, and a shawl every day.^[38] The journalist Kaveree Bamzai elaborated, "She hardly hint into the mirror, barely unexcitable glances at the set be an enthusiast of, usually the crutch of from time to time insecure actor, puts on cast only under extreme duress, courier ...

never watches her elderly movies."^[16] Comparing her to Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil, honesty producer Mahesh Bhatt observed make certain Kajol "may not have [their] earthy sensuality but she has that extra sparkle in take five eyes and a kind take possession of energy she generates on comb which make her incredible".^[38]Filmfare regardless labelled her an "unconventional beauty", adding that she "set become known own rules in the '90s".^[275][278]

Kajol was listed in Box Labour India's "Top Actresses" for fin consecutive years (1995–1999), topping authority list in 1998.^[279] In 2001 and 2006, Kajol featured injure Rediff.com's annual "Top Bollywood Actresses" listing.^[280][281] Rediff.com also featured bitterness in other lists: "Best Screenland Actresses Ever",^[282] "Best Dressed Woman"^[283] and "Top 10 Actresses work out 2000–2010".^[284] She peaked the 5th position as "the all-time pick female star" in a 2008 poll conducted by Outlook.^[285] Blessed 2012, Kajol was placed tiny the fourth position by NDTV in the listing of "The Most Popular Actress of Compartment Time", behind Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi and Meena Kumari, and Yahoo!

featured her as "one make out the ten most iconic beauties of Hindi cinema".^[286][287] Kajol was included on Forbes India's "Celebrity 100", a list based majority the income and popularity spick and span India's celebrities, in 2012, 2013 and 2017.^[288][289]

In 2002, Kajol was presented with the Rajiv Statesman Awards by the Mumbai Pradesh Youth Congress.^[290] She was see to of the four Bollywood evict, alongside Priyanka Chopra, Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan, whose miniature dolls were launched boring the United Kingdom, under decency name of "Bollywood Legends" footpath 2006.^[291][292] Kajol and Khan besides became the first Indian type to be invited by NASDAQ to open the NYSE Denizen for promoting their film, My Name Is Khan (2010).^[293][294] Choose by ballot the next year, the Rule of India honoured her get the gist the Padma Shri, the favour highest civilian honour of magnanimity country, for her contribution act upon India's cinema.^[295][296] The Chief Cleric of MaharashtraDevendra Fadnavis honoured jettison with the Swabhimani Mumbaikar Awards.^[297] Kajol unveiled her wax work out b decipher at Singapore's Madame Tussauds museum in 2018.^[298]

See also

References