Kajol Was Hesitant To Play Rape Victim In Dushman Until Pooja Bhatt Stepped In: 'I Refused Because...'

News18

2 days ago

Kajol says she initially refused Dushman due to rape scenes. Pooja Bhatt assured her a body double would be used and nothing uncomfortable would be filmed.
Even after 25 years, Dushman continues to linger in the minds of viewers, largely due to Ashutosh Rana's terrifying portrayal of the sadistic killer Gokul Pandit. The 1998 psychological thriller, directed by Tanuja Chandra and produced by Pooja Bhatt, was a bold film that tackled themes of trauma, justice, and inner strength. At its emotional core was Kajol, who played dual roles—twin sisters whose lives are shattered by a brutal crime.
In a recent interview with The Lallantop, Kajol opened up about the emotional turmoil and hesitation she experienced before accepting the role. She revealed that she initially refused the project, despite being deeply moved by the story. 'It was a very difficult role. It was a subject matter. I had refused the film. Pooja Bhatt had approached me for the film because she was producing it, she wanted me to do the film. But I was like, 'I love the script. I love the idea, but I don't want to portray any kind of molestation or rape on screen. Not because of anything else but as an actor when you are acting in that emotion, you feel all those things. As an actor, I don't need to do that. I can show my acting prowess in other things," she recalled.
Kajol's apprehension was rooted not just in the graphic nature of the scenes, but the emotional toll such performances can take on an actor. However, what eventually convinced her was the unwavering support and empathy shown by the film's female-led creative team. 'Then Tanuja and Pooja made me understand. They said, 'Don't worry about it. We are women, we understand, and we will figure this out, and we will shoot with a body double and we will do this and that, and we will not do anything that you are uncomfortable with at any point,' so yes, that's how Dushman came to be," she said.
In the film, Kajol's performance is a powerful embodiment of vulnerability and strength. One sister is brutally raped and murdered by the psychotic Gokul Pandit, while the other—devastated and haunted—embarks on a path of revenge. Her transformation is aided by a blind ex-army officer, played by Sanjay Dutt, who trains her to confront her sister's killer and reclaim her power.
Though released in the same year as Kajol's mega-blockbuster Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dushman carved a very different space for itself in Indian cinema. Where one celebrated youthful romance, the other dove deep into psychological trauma and female resilience. Dushman didn't cater to mainstream tastes, but its bold narrative, taut direction, and unflinching performances earned it a cult status over time.
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