Kajol is one of Bollywood’s most celebrated and versatile actresses, known for her powerful performances, impeccable screen presence, and versatility in a wide range of roles. Her career spans over three decades, and she has become one of the most beloved and successful actresses in Indian cinema.
Early Life and Background: Kajol
Kajol Devgan was born on August 5, 1974, in Mumbai, India, into a prominent film family. Her father, Shomu Mukherjee, was a film director and producer, and her mother, Tanuja, is a well-known Bollywood actress. Kajol’s maternal grandmother, Shobhna Samarth, was also a famous actress, which gave her an early exposure to the film industry. She has a younger sister, Tanisha Mukherjee, who is also an actress in the film industry.
Kajol completed her schooling at the St. Joseph’s Convent School in Mumbai. Despite being from a film background, Kajol initially did not consider acting as her first career choice. She was a bright student, but her passion for films soon became apparent, and she decided to pursue acting.
Career Beginnings (1992–1996)
Kajol made her Bollywood debut at the age of 17 in 1992 with the film “Bekhudi”, which was a commercial failure. However, her big break came the following year in “Baazigar” (1993), where she starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan. The thriller, directed by Abbas-Mustan, became a massive hit, and Kajol’s performance was widely appreciated. The film was a turning point in her career and established her as a promising actress.
In 1994, Kajol starred in “Karan Arjun”, a reincarnation drama alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, which was another success. The same year, she appeared in “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, one of the most iconic Bollywood films ever made. Directed by Aditya Chopra, the film became a global phenomenon and solidified Kajol’s status as one of the top actresses in the industry. Her portrayal of Simran, a traditional girl torn between her love for Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and her family’s expectations, became a legendary role.
Rise to Stardom (1997–2005)
Kajol’s success continued through the late 1990s and early 2000s with a series of critically acclaimed films, including “Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha” (1998), “Raja Kumar” (1998), and “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” (1998), where she played the role of Tina Malhotra. The latter film, directed by Karan Johar, became a landmark in Bollywood, and Kajol won numerous awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
In 1999, she starred in “Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain” and “Jab Tak Hai Jaan”, both of which performed well at the box office. Kajol’s portrayal of Naina in the romantic drama Jab Tak Hai Jaan alongside Shah Rukh Khan further strengthened her position in the industry.
In 2001, Kajol gave one of her most memorable performances in “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, a family drama directed by Karan Johar. The film, which became one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of all time, showcased her as the fiery, independent Anjali Sharma, and her chemistry with Shah Rukh Khan was lauded.
Kajol’s impressive career continued in the 2000s with hits like “Fanaa” (2006), where she played a blind woman who falls in love with a terrorist, and “My Name is Khan” (2010), where she starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan again. The latter, directed by Karan Johar, became a global success and brought Kajol several accolades, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
Personal Life and Marriage
In November 1999, Kajol married actor Ajay Devgn, a fellow Bollywood star. The couple is one of the most popular and admired pairs in the film industry. They have two children: a son, Yug Devgn, and a daughter, Nysa Devgn.
Kajol has always been very private about her personal life but has often spoken about how she manages a balance between her career and family life. After her marriage, she took some breaks from acting to focus on her family, but she always returned to the industry with much anticipation.
Comeback and Recent Projects (2010–Present)
Kajol took a short break from acting after the success of “My Name is Khan” but returned to the big screen in 2015 with “Dilwale”, another film in which she starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan. While the film’s critical reception was mixed, it performed well at the box office.
In 2016, Kajol starred in “Shivaay”, a film directed by her husband, Ajay Devgn, in which she played the role of a mother to a young girl. Though the film received mixed reviews, Kajol’s performance was widely praised.
Kajol continued to showcase her acting skills in a variety of roles. In 2018, she starred in “Helicopter Eela”, a drama about a single mother who pursues her career and dreams while raising her son. The film was a commercial success and earned Kajol praise for her performance.
In 2020, Kajol appeared in the Amazon Prime Video series “Tribhanga”, directed by Renuka Shahane. The film, which dealt with complex family relationships, was appreciated for its strong narrative and Kajol’s layered performance as the central character, a strong-willed woman who grapples with her past and relationships.
Kajol’s performance in “Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior” (2020) alongside Ajay Devgn was another highlight of her career. She played Tajbai, a historical character, in this action-packed film, which was a major commercial success.
Legacy and Influence: Kajol
Kajol is widely regarded as one of the finest actresses in Indian cinema. She is known for her ability to portray a range of characters, from romantic leads to strong, independent women and emotionally complex roles. Kajol’s expressive eyes, charismatic personality, and natural acting style have made her a favorite among fans and critics alike.
Throughout her career, Kajol has won numerous awards, including several Filmfare Awards, National Film Awards, and Screen Awards. She is also known for her philanthropic work and involvement in various social causes. Kajol has been an advocate for education and the rights of children, as well as for promoting health and wellness.
Kajol’s legacy in Bollywood is one of immense success and versatility, and she continues to be a role model for young actresses aspiring to make a mark in the industry. Her long-standing career, combined with her ability to evolve with changing times, makes her one of the true legends of Indian cinema.
Quick Info: Kajol
- Full Name: Kajol Mukherjee
- Nickname: Kads
- Profession: Actress
- Height: 5′ 3″ (161 cm)
- Weight: 57 kg (126 lbs)
- Figure Measurements: 34-28-34
- Eye Color: Hazel
- Hair Color: Black
Personal Life: Kajol
- Date of Birth: 5 August 1974 (Monday)
- Age (as of 2024): 50 Years
- Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Nationality: Indian
- Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- School: St. Joseph’s Convent School, Panchgani, Maharashtra
- Education: School dropout
Debut: Kajol
- Film: Bekhudi (1992)
- TV: Rock-N-Roll Family (2008, as a judge)
Family: Kajol
- Father: Late Shomu Mukherjee (Filmmaker)
- Mother: Tanuja (Actress)
- Sister: Tanishaa Mukherjee (Actress)
Relationships: Kajol
- Marital Status: Married
- Husband: Ajay Devgn (m. 1999)
- Children: Nysa (Daughter), Yug (Son)
- Previous Relationships: Karthik (South Indian Actor)
Favorites: Kajol
- Food: Pizza, Spaghetti Salad with Olives, French Fries
- Actors: Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan
- Actress: Sridevi
- Books: Notes to Myself: My Struggle to Become a Person by Hugh Prather
- Movies: Sholay, Chaalbaaz, Casablanca, Iron Man 3, Gone With The Wind
- Color: White
- Perfume: Cool Waters
- Destination: Europe
Assets: Kajol
- Properties:
- Juhu, Mumbai apartments purchased in January 2022
- Office space in Oshiwara, Mumbai, purchased in August 2023
Net Worth: Approximately $16 million
Salary: Rs. 9-12 crore per film
Here are some lesser-known facts about Kajol:
- Smoking & Alcohol: Kajol neither smokes nor drinks.
- Heritage: She is half Bengali and half Maharashtrian, and although she can speak Marathi, she finds Bengali challenging.
- Early Start: Kajol began acting at 16 while still in school.
- Signature Unibrow: During a 1992 portfolio shoot, makeup artist Mickey Contractor convinced the team to keep her unibrow, seeing it as a distinctive feature.
- Meeting Ajay Devgn: She met her future husband on the set of Gundaraj (1995) and initially didn’t like him, but they fell in love after two weeks of filming.
- Filmfare Record: Kajol shares a record with her aunt Nutan, each winning five Filmfare Awards for Best Actress.
- Family Ties: She is cousins with Bollywood actors Rani Mukerji, Sharbani Mukherji, Raj Mukherjee, and Mohnish Bahl.
- Career Plan B: Had she not pursued acting, she would have become a psychiatrist.
- Challenging Role: Her negative role in Gupt (1997) was her toughest, making her the first Indian actress to win a Filmfare Award for a villainous role.
- Personal Struggles: Kajol experienced a miscarriage in 2001.
- Social Activism: Alongside her film career, she is actively involved in social work, especially for widows and children, and received the Karamveer Puraskar in 2008.
- Miniature Doll: In 2006, Kajol was honored with a miniature doll launched in the UK alongside dolls of Priyanka Chopra, Hrithik Roshan, and Shah Rukh Khan.
- Love for Reading: Kajol is an avid reader but admits she can’t cook.
- Selective Roles: She turned down a role in 3 Idiots (2009) because she wasn’t happy with it.
- NASDAQ: In 2010, Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan became the first Indian actors invited to open the American stock exchange.
- Awards: She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2011.
- Iconic Film: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge holds a record of over 1,000 consecutive weeks of screening at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir.
- Shopping Habits: Kajol prefers online shopping and isn’t brand-conscious.
- Social Media Break: On June 9, 2023, Kajol deleted her Instagram posts, announcing a break from social media due to a difficult phase, though fans speculated it was a promotional strategy for her series The Good Wife.
