Kajol believes Hindi cinema is entering an encouraging phase for female-led stories, and she sees films like Alpha as a sign of that shift. As discussions continue around Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh’s upcoming action film, the actor has voiced her support for the project, saying its core idea deserves appreciation. The actor, who celebrates her 52nd birthday today, also reflected on how women’s representation in films has changed since she began her career more than three decades ago. According to Kajol, today’s actresses are finally getting characters that exist beyond supporting the male lead, making this an exciting period for storytelling.
Kajol says films like Alpha represent a positive change
The conversation around Alpha has remained active ever since the film was announced, with audiences divided over expectations from the female-led spy thriller. While opinions continue to vary, Kajol believes the industry should welcome ambitious projects that put women at the center of mainstream action cinema. Speaking about the film, she said, “You have a film like Alpha that’s come out, which is an action film. I think the idea of it was absolutely fantastic.”
The actor also pointed out that the biggest change she has witnessed is not simply the number of films led by women but the quality of the characters being written. She feels the industry has gradually moved away from treating female characters as narrative support and is instead allowing them to drive the story. That evolution, according to Kajol, is one of the healthiest trends currently shaping Hindi cinema.
Continuing her thoughts on the industry’s changing landscape, Kajol said, “We’re definitely moving in the right direction when it comes to women-led stories. I don’t know whether it’s a better light or not, but it’s definitely more of a spotlight.” She further added, “They’re writing better characters for women. They are giving women more of a chance to be more than just a side plot, which I feel is a good trend that we’re going towards.”
Kajol’s own filmography reflects that transition. In recent years, she has headlined projects such as The Trial, Do Patti, and Maa, taking on characters that place women at the emotional and narrative center. Rather than following conventional commercial formulas, many of these projects have focused on layered performances and stronger female perspectives.
Why Kajol still trusts instinct over everything else
Despite the industry’s changing dynamics, Kajol says her own approach to selecting films has stayed remarkably consistent. She explained that she has never chased trends and instead continues to rely on the emotional connection she feels with a script. For her, every role has to offer something creatively satisfying before she agrees to become part of a project.
Talking about her process, Kajol said, “I’ve always selected projects that appealed to me, characters that made me feel I could do something with them. That hasn’t changed. But yes, I want to experiment. I want to try new things and do things that I probably haven’t done before.” Her comments suggest that even after decades in the industry, she continues looking for opportunities that challenge her rather than simply repeating familiar roles.
She also made it clear that instinct remains her strongest guide while making career decisions. Kajol said, “If I’m not convinced by a character in the beginning, I don’t do the film. If you can’t convince me, then I won’t be doing it.” That straightforward philosophy has helped shape a career filled with diverse performances across romance, drama, thrillers, and now women-driven stories.
Looking back at her personal journey, Kajol believes maturity has changed her as a person as much as experience has changed her as an actor. Reflecting on how life has evolved, she shared, “I’m a kinder person today than I was. Not because I wasn’t kind back then, but maybe I didn’t show it as much.”
A birthday that has always been about family
While many celebrities celebrate birthdays with glamorous parties, Kajol says she has always preferred quieter moments with the people closest to her. Instead of elaborate plans, she enjoys gathering family members and close friends in one place, especially because busy schedules often make such reunions difficult during the rest of the year.
Speaking about this year’s celebrations, Kajol shared, “There are no specific birthday plans. I usually just have really close friends and family over. Spending time with my family and friends really makes my day, honestly. I don’t get to meet everybody throughout the year, so my birthday is when I see all of them.”
She also revealed that her family has always made her birthday a priority regardless of where they are. Referring to her daughter Nysa Devgn, Kajol said, “Both of them make it a point to be there for my birthday, come hell or high water. My daughter, Nysa Devgn, is an adult now. She studies abroad, but everybody in my family makes it a point to keep that day free, regardless of whether it’s the middle of the week or not. I really appreciate that.”
Kajol ended the conversation on a cheerful note while admitting that birthdays have always been special to her. Laughing about how enthusiastic she gets every year, she said, “I’ve always been super excited about it. I make sure everybody remembers my birthday at least a month in advance. Nobody can forget it because I’ve put it on everybody’s calendars.” As Bollywood continues to evolve with more women taking center stage in mainstream stories, Kajol’s optimism reflects a broader shift that many in the industry have been hoping to see.
