We’ve grown up watching Kajol light up the screen. And somehow, she never fails to impress, or surprise. Whether it’s with her fearless choices, that signature laugh, or just the honesty she brings to every role, she’s always kept us on our toes. Off screen, she’s been just as real, a hands-on mom through and through. Her children, Nysa and Yug, have been raised with care and intention, and she beams with pride whenever she speaks of them.immediately, never one to play by the rulebook, Kajol dives headfirst into the world of horror with Maa. It’s a genre she hadn’t explored before, but she clearly relished the experience of playing a protective mother battling supernatural forces to slash her daughter. She’s all in when it comes to work, but the conversation soon turns to family, the balancing act of being a working mum, and the importance of looking after oneself. Excerpts from a heart-to-heart interview.
I had no idea that doing a mythological-horror film would involve so much action. There’s a surprising amount of physicality, prosthetics, falling, flying, it’s all part of the experience. It was physically demanding and I had to really push myself. I also discovered that horror films operate at a very specific pitch, one that’s quite different from regular cinema. Your performance has to match that heightened tone. Director Vishal Furia guide me through it. And here’s the funny part. No one believes me but I’ve never actually watched a horror film to this day.
Being a Bengali, you’ve been a devotee of Maa Kaali since childhood. Can you share a memory connected to her?
I’ve stood near the puja pandal during Durga Puja for as long as I can remember. As a child, I couldn’t even hold the prasad bowl properly, it was too heavy. I practically grew up in that pandal, staring up in awe at the towering statue of Maa. I’ve always believed in her, always felt her watching over me, her hand on my head. As I’ve grown older, that connection has only deepened and become more conscious. So when this film about Maa came to me, I didn’t think twice. I said yes immediately. My faith in her is unwavering. I believe that kind of deep, personal conviction helps bring truth to what you’re portraying on screen. That bond, that protection, I’ve always carried it with me.
I’ve witnessed two miracles in my life: Nysa and Yug. Everything else feels like a bonus. I’ve always felt that she’s there, gently guiding me, nudging me in the right direction, or holding me back when I’m about to make a mistake. I truly believe she loves me like a mother. And you know, a mother’s love doesn’t always need grand miracles. It’s quietly and beautifully woven into your life, in ways you may not even realise.
What kind of mother are you?
I used to be quite obsessive and compulsive, a classic helicopter mom. I was constantly hovering, involved in every little thing. But over time, I realised that as children grow, you have to start trusting yourself. You have to believe that you’ve raised them well. That faith in your own parenting is important. immediately, I’m no longer a helicopter mom. I’m much calmer, much more relaxed. That said, I’m still protective, which mother isn’t? But I’m also a proud mom. I’m genuinely happy to say that I’ve raised two individuals who are strong, grounded and have their own unique personalities.
What is something you’ve learnt from your mother, Tanuja, that you’ve also tried to pass on to your children?
The most valuable lesson I’ve inherited from my mother and one I truly hope my children carry forward, is the ability to think for themselves. I don’t want them to be swayed by peer pressure, especially the kind that comes from social media. It’s important that they learn to assess what’s right and what’s wrong on their own terms. And once they make a decision, they must own it completely. If something good comes of it, the credit is theirs. If it goes wrong, the responsibility is theirs too. That’s something I always tell them. So I give them the space to make their own choices, while also guiding them to think things through because ultimately, they’ll have to live with the outcome.
There was this one time someone came over, someone I didn’t even want to sit next to. I told Nysa, “I don’t know how I’m going to manage this… I really don’t feel like talking to them.” She just looked at me calmly and said, “Mom, it’s only five minutes. Just five minutes. If you can get through that, it’s done.” And I realised she was right. It’s not like I had to spend the entire day with that person. Sometimes, giving someone just five minutes of your time is enough to handle the situation gracefully and move on, without creating unnecessary drama.
How does it feel when people troll your kids?
I always tell my children, “It’s just one percent or even 0.1 percent of people who say negative things or troll you.” I remind them that for every five people who talk nonsense, there are 500 others who’ve said wonderful things about them and genuinely love and appreciate them. I keep telling them to focus on the good, the kind and supportive comments. That’s what truly matters.
How important is it to reinvent oneself?
It’s essential. Every actress should aim to surprise herself every few years, not for anyone else but for her own growth and spirit. You need to try new things, take on different challenges or you risk getting bored. And I truly believe boredom shows first in the eyes. You can tell when someone has checked out emotionally. There’s a certain dullness, a lack of spark. The wrinkles and weariness come later but the eyes reveal it first. I hope that never happens to me. I want to keep exploring, learning and most of all, stay excited. That’s what keeps the fire alive.
Even before self-love, what’s truly crucial is that women stop judging themselves. That to me, is the real issue. We women are often our own harshest critics. We constantly scrutinise our bodies, our faces, the way we speak, the way we do things. We convince ourselves we’re not good enough. We tell ourselves we’re not as thin, not as beautiful, not as accomplished as someone else. We believe we haven’t done enough for our children or that other women are better mothers, better dressed, better people overall. Ninety per cent of the time, we’re unknowingly competing with other women, judging ourselves against impossible standards. If we could just stop this endless self-judgement, I believe we’d all be much happier, more confident and stronger women. That in itself, would be the greatest act of self-love.
We’re human beings, not just characters frozen in time on a screen. What people see is just one percent of our lives, the carefully curated, polished version. But the remaining 99 per cent, the real life we live every day, goes unseen. And yet, we’re judged based on that tiny fraction. The truth is, we’re all the same at the core. If we can learn to be a little kinder to ourselves, to judge ourselves a little less harshly, we’ll naturally start looking at others with more kindness and compassion too.
That she is far more beautiful than she sees herself to be. She just doesn’t realise it yet. Hold yourself to that truth and slowly but surely, you’ll start to believe it. And once you do, everything begins to shift.
Also Read: Birthday Special: 5 Unconventional Roles That Show Us Kajol’s Acting Prowess
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