&w=3840&q=100)
Kajol on Ajay Devgn and Yash Raj Films' fallout during 'Son of Sardaar' and 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan': 'I felt helpless, fights are always difficult when...'
Ajay Devgn is gearing up for Son Of Sardaar 2 that releases on July 25. The first film came out on Diwali 2012 and clashed with Yash Chopra's swansong Jab Tak Hai Jaan. There was a fallout between Devgn and YRF for screen-space and the actor filed a complaint in the Competition Commission of India.
In an interview with The Lallantop, Kajol addressed the issue that happened 13 years ago and said, 'Fights are always difficult, especially when they remain unresolved for some time. At that point, when you have a situation like that in front of you, both parties were standing for themselves.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
She added, 'As somebody who was connected to both sides, I felt helpless. You have to wait for time to pass, so that the feelings subside. So that things can become ok again.'
Actor Kajol says maintaining work-life balance has always been a priority since she started acting in the 1990s and the journey became easier with the support of her family as well as the producers.
'I was one of the few people who worked on one film at a time; I didn't do 4 films at the same time (like other actors). I used to finish one film, then start another. I didn't work for 20 or 30 hours. I was always very clear that we would work a certain amount only, and my mom also backed me up big time on it,' the 50-year-old actor told PTI in an interview.
Actor Deepika Padukone's alleged exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Spirit' after the two did not agree over an eight-hour working shift among other conditions has sparked a discussion around shooting hours in the industry.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
When Shah Rukh Khan told Kajol to 'learn to act,' but she didn't take it seriously then
Over the decades, the pairing of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol has become emblematic of Bollywood's golden era of romance. From their first explosive collaboration in Baazigar to the iconic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and later emotional dramas like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and My Name Is Khan, their screen chemistry continues to captivate audiences worldwide. While the duo's cinematic synergy is well known, it's their off-camera friendship that remains equally admired. The Deep-Rooted Bond Between Two Film Legends In a recent conversation with The Lallantop, Kajol delved into her long-standing connection with Shah Rukh Khan, offering insight into how their shared understanding, trust, and professionalism contributed to their consistent success. She emphasized that their collaboration was more than just good acting—it was fueled by mutual appreciation and dynamic energy that translated beautifully onto the screen. Reflecting on their legacy, Kajol acknowledged that Shah Rukh's career is the result of decades of unyielding commitment and hard work. She described his ascent from small-screen beginnings to global superstardom as an inspiring journey marked by unwavering determination. According to her, the nickname " King Khan " is well-earned—not simply bestowed upon him by fans, but the result of sheer perseverance and tireless effort. Kajol credited Shah Rukh entirely for the empire he has built, stating that his current stature is rooted in relentless discipline and self-belief. Valuable Advice That Took Time to Sink In During the early phase of her career, Kajol received a piece of advice from Shah Rukh that she initially disregarded. He had warned her that pouring all of one's emotional energy into every performance could be draining. At the time, Kajol was known for her intense portrayals and had a habit of immersing herself completely in each role. However, during the shooting of Udhaar Ki Zindagi in 1994—when she was only 18—Kajol hit an emotional breaking point. The film demanded deep emotional vulnerability, and by the time it wrapped, she felt physically and mentally depleted. That's when Shah Rukh's words came back to her. She realized that constantly giving 300 percent to every performance wasn't sustainable. Such an approach could strip an actor of their emotional reserves. It marked the beginning of a shift in how she approached her craft. Burnout at 18: A Turning Point The emotional burden was so heavy that Kajol momentarily considered stepping away from films altogether. Feeling worn out, she confessed to her mother, veteran actor Tanuja, that she no longer wanted to continue acting. The frequent demands of emotionally charged scenes, especially ones involving prolonged crying or trauma, had left her drained. That phase became a pivotal moment in Kajol's career. It pushed her to evolve as an actor—not just emotionally, but technically. She began to understand the importance of preserving her emotional well-being while still delivering impactful performances. It was a maturing process, influenced in part by Shah Rukh's earlier advice and her own lived experience. The Dilemma of 'Dushman' and the Challenge of Portraying Trauma In the same interview, Kajol recalled another emotionally demanding project—Dushman, a psychological thriller released in 1998. She was hesitant to sign on to the film initially. One of the characters she was to portray was a rape victim, and she was extremely uncomfortable with the idea of enacting such trauma on screen. Producer Pooja Bhatt approached her with the script, which Kajol loved. However, the prospect of performing scenes involving molestation deeply troubled her. She expressed that, as an actor, she felt emotions intensely during scenes and did not wish to subject herself to such trauma in the name of authenticity. She believed her skill as an actor could be showcased through less distressing material. Kajol eventually agreed to the project after being reassured by both Pooja Bhatt and her mother, Tanuja. They promised her that her boundaries would be respected. The sensitive scenes would be handled with discretion, including the use of a body double. The fact that both the producer and director were women gave Kajol a level of comfort and trust, allowing her to go ahead with the role. A Dual Role and a Demanding Storyline In Dushman, Kajol took on the challenge of portraying twin sisters—one of whom becomes the victim of a sadistic killer, played chillingly by Ashutosh Rana. The surviving sister then embarks on a quest for vengeance, ultimately training under a blind military veteran portrayed by Sanjay Dutt. The film was praised for its bold narrative and powerful performances, with Kajol receiving acclaim for her intense and layered acting. While Dushman didn't dominate the box office in the same way as Kajol's romantic blockbuster Kuch Kuch Hota Hai—which was also released that year—it garnered respect for its raw and gritty storytelling. The contrast between the two films further showcased Kajol's remarkable versatility. Continuing Her Journey with Conviction More recently, Kajol was seen in Maa, a supernatural thriller that is part of the expanding 'Shaitaan' cinematic universe. In this film, she portrays a mother who fights against dark, otherworldly forces to protect her child, once again demonstrating her range and fearlessness in taking on complex roles. Through her decades-long career, Kajol has navigated highs and lows with grace. Her ability to reflect on her journey—crediting peers like Shah Rukh Khan for their impact while also being candid about her personal struggles—offers a window into the resilience behind the celebrated actress. She remains a powerful force in Indian cinema, not only for the characters she plays but for the honesty with which she discusses what it takes to embody them.


Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Kajol says people would laugh at KKHH if it was made today, predicts story of Shah Rukh-Rani film would be ‘the opposite': ‘Hum galat the'
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's 1998 romantic drama Kuch Kuch Hota Hai has always been under a debatable umbrella for its old-school message. In the film, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) only develops feelings for Anjali (essayed by Kajol) after she grows her hair long, wears a saree, and follows the social norms of feminity. She is firmly friendzoned by SRK's character when she spotted a 'tomboy look' in their college days. In a recent interview, Kajol reflected on her character and the messaging of the movie. She admitted that people would 'laugh' at KKHH if it was made in today's time, and the story would be completely opposite. The actor also mentioned that it was made for 'entertainment' purposes only, and they were wrong about the social theme. During a conversation with The Lallantop, Kajol was asked if she has any take on her character, and she said, 'No. We made that film only for entertainment. And, I feel that films reflect society. That is exactly what Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was. People thought like that at that point of time.' ALSO READ | Kajol says Ajay Devgn's career changed after marriage, calls him only actor successful in every genre: 'Achi tarah se seekha ke nikaala hai maine unko' She further added, 'Agar aaj KKHH banaane jaate toh we would be laughed out. That tomboy cut would be probably part of the second half. Pehle saree mein thi toh pasand nahi aayi thi, uske baad when she started playing basketball and became cool is when he starts liking her. It would be the opposite, rather than this way round (If we make KKHH today, we would be laughed out. That tomboy cut would be probably part of the second half. She will not be liked when she is in a saree, when she started playing basketball and became cool is when he starts liking her. It would be the opposite, rather than this way round).' Kajol stated that the film did justice to the audience of the 90s era because those were the society's beliefs. 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai uss waqt ke liye sahi thi. If we did it today or point out what was right or wrong, shayad hum galat hain usmein (If we disect it today, we were wrong in that film),' she said. Karan Johar's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was a huge hit, the highest grossing film in 1998. Also starring Rani Mukerji, it is still considered a popular film today. The plot was about a tomboyish girl Anjali, who loves her best friend in college, Rahul l. However, she is in agony when he marries Tina, a fellow college mate. Eight years later, widower Rahul's daughter is told to reunite him with Anjali. Meanwhile, on the work front, Kajol was last seen in the mythological-horror drama Maa. The actor will next appear in the OTT film Sarzameen, also starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Ibrahim Ali Khan. It will release on Jio Hotstar on July 25.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Anushka Sharma once shared why it feels ‘awkward' meeting Deepika Padukone in person: ‘We've gone to the same college'
and are two of the biggest names in Bollywood. Deepika began her acting journey in 2007, while Anushka made her debut in 2008. Since they started around the same time, fans quickly began to compare them. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bollywood has always loved a good story about actresses not getting along. Anushka once shared why it feels awkward when she meets Deepika in person, and it's not for the reasons people think. 'We supposed to be fighting with each other' Anushka once spoke openly about this awkwardness during a roundtable chat with Rajeev Masand. The discussion also had Deepika Padukone and Richa Chadha. In that chat, Anushka explained why things get uncomfortable when she bumps into Deepika. She said, 'Deepika and I are supposed to be fighting with each other. We are supposed to not get along with each other. There is no reason why that would happen. I've never had a spat with her.' Anushka further added, 'I've never had a there's nothing that has happened. So what is this not getting along? You know, we've gone to the same college. We come from the same city. In fact, we have a history. But no it is created bywhat happens when so much of it is spoken about. When you meet each other, it's awkward like me.' Same city, same college, same stories What makes all these rumours even stranger is that Anushka and Deepika have so much in common. Both actresses come from Bengaluru. They also studied in the same college, Mount Carmel College. Anushka pointed out that they even share a history. Yet, despite these clear connections, people still try to find problems where there are none. This constant gossip is exactly why it sometimes feels odd when the two actresses see each other face-to-face. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Ranveer Singh angle A lot of the chatter around Anushka and Deepika had also been linked to Ranveer Singh. In 2010, Anushka starred with Ranveer in 'Band Baaja Baaraat'. After the film, there were strong rumours that the two might have been dating. However, neither of them ever admitted to being in a relationship. Reports later claimed that if they were together, they eventually went their separate ways. Things are very different now. Anushka is happily married to cricketer . They are proud parents to two kids, Vamika and Akaay. Meanwhile, Deepika is married to Ranveer Singh, and the couple became parents to baby girl Dua. Busy with their own lives On the work front, both actresses are in different phases of their careers. Anushka was last seen doing a small cameo in the OTT film 'Qala'. Right now, she seems happy focusing on her family and enjoying motherhood. Deepika, on the other hand, has some exciting films lined up. Though she has stepped away from 'Spirit', reportedly she will be seen next with in 'King', directed by Siddharth Anand.