Kajol reflects on Bollywood’s evolution, noting actors are now brands with influence beyond movies, contrasting with the ‘old charm’ of stardom. She highlights a positive shift: actresses now have extended careers, unaffected by age. Drawing inspiration from her mother, Tanuja, Kajol embraces aging gracefully, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and relationships over fleeting fame.
Kajol recently opened up about how Bollywood has evolved over the years. According to her, actors today are not just stars but also seen as brands. She also shared that for actresses now, age is no longer a barrier.
From icons to brands
In a chat with Harper’s Bazaar India, Kajol said, “The biggest difference today is that you’re not just an icon—you’re a brand, a persona, almost a business.” She also went onto explain that earlier, stardom was limited to the cinema halls, but now an actor’s influence goes much further. According to her, the old charm of being a star doesn’t exist anymore. However, she also pointed out the positive side. “Earlier, a heroine’s career might last 20 or 30 years, but now she can keep working endlessly—there’s no limit,” she added.Sharing what the word icon means to her, the actress said, “Someone original who stays true to themselves. My mother is 82 today, and she’s my icon. I hope to be like her.” Like Tanuja, Kajol says she loves ageing gracefully.
Embracing ageing and experience
Kajol further added, “It gives me the leeway to say I am a veteran. Not everyone has the privilege of getting older—it’s freeing… People have seen me at 16 and now at 50, through every phase—pregnancy, fat, thin, long hair, short hair. My whole life has been on record. And it makes you realise this, too shall pass. Whether it’s an airport look or a hit film, both are temporary. What matters is the life you build, and the people around you.”
Clarity after decades in films
The actress stated that after spending decades in the industry, she feels more grown up now. She said, “I always had confidence. But today, I know exactly what I’m doing and how I want to do it. The questions are clearer, so the answers are clearer too.”
On star kids
In an interview with PTI earlier this year, Kajol spoke about how star kids today are expected to prove themselves quickly instead of being given time to grow as actors. She said, “Trolls will criticise you whether you have parents who are well-known or not. But we listen to them a little more when they’re talking about somebody whose parents are well-known, maybe.”Elaborating further, she added, ‘We had that chance to grow, we were given that time, or maybe enough films to grow and to become who we are. Today it’s almost like a do-or-die situation for them, and for this, they’re very well prepared. I have to give them that. But we can be a little kinder.”Meanwhile, on the work front, Kajol was last seen in mythological-horror film Maa and patriotic drama Sarzameen. She will next be seen co-hosting a talk show with Twinkle Khanna. Apart from this, she is also expected to be back in her web series The Trial Season 2. Go to Source
