Kajol Speaks Her Truth: Navigating Separation, Marriage, and Motherhood

In the ever-glittering world of Bollywood, the line between reel and real is often blurred. For Kajol, one of the industry’s most beloved stars, life has been a tapestry woven with moments of joy, heartbreak, resilience, and constant reinvention. She has danced through blockbusters, faced the harshest trolls, and stood tall as a daughter, wife, and mother. But behind the dazzling smile lies a story of courage, vulnerability, and the unending quest for balance.

Recently, in a rare, candid interview, Kajol opened her heart about her parents’ separation, her marriage to Ajay Devgn, the rollercoaster of motherhood, and the emotional toll of being in the public eye. Her words, honest and unfiltered, offer a moving glimpse into the life of a woman who has always chosen authenticity over artifice.

Growing Up Between Two Worlds

Kajol’s journey began in a home where love and artistry coexisted with complexity. Her parents, veteran actress Tanuja and filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, separated when she was young. “I have to give them both kudos for how they handled it,” Kajol recalls. “They were very clear that, separated or not, they’d always be there together for us.”

Even as a child, Kajol questioned and tried to understand the reasons behind her parents’ decisions. It wasn’t easy. “At times, I did question it. But as an adult, I see now how brave it was for them to make that choice. They were different people, and sometimes, growing apart is also a way of growing up.”

Despite the separation, her parents made sure she and her sister, Tanishaa, never felt abandoned. They couldn’t play one parent against the other. “They behaved like mature adults and put us first. That’s a lesson I carry with me even today.”

Forging Her Own Path

Raised in a household of fiercely strong women—her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother—Kajol grew up surrounded by opinions, debates, and a sense of independence. “It was the clash of the titans,” she laughs. “Three strong personalities, each with their own views. But it taught me what it truly means to be a woman—and a human being.”

This upbringing gave Kajol the courage to defy conventions. In an era when actresses were expected to follow a certain path, she refused to conform. “I was taught to make up my own mind, to stand by my opinions, and do what I thought was right, not what the world thought was right for me.”

From a young age, Kajol was drawn to the idea of motherhood. “I wanted to be a mother since I was eight! I used to play with dolls and loved babies. I even told my dad at 12, ‘Let’s adopt a baby!’ Of course, my mom shut that down fast. But the desire to nurture was always there.”

Love at the Peak: Marriage and Sacrifice

At the pinnacle of her career, Kajol made a choice that stunned many—she married Ajay Devgn. “So many people, including my own father, told me not to get married at that point. But I followed my heart.”

Her mother-in-law, Veena Devgn, became a pillar of support. “She never insisted I call her ‘mom’ or forced traditions on me. She was one of the first to tell me, ‘Go back to work, we’re here to take care of the house.’ I’ve been very lucky to have such wonderful people around me.”

Yet, the decision came with its own set of challenges. In the 90s, marriage—and especially motherhood—was seen as the end of an actress’s career. But Kajol shattered that stereotype, returning to the screen after her children were born and winning accolades for films like “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” and “Fanaa.”

“I never chased stardom,” she says. “I wanted my work to speak for itself. I always felt there was enough for everyone, and I was running my own race.”

The Trials and Triumphs of Motherhood

Motherhood, for Kajol, was a dream come true—but it was not without its heartbreaks. She suffered miscarriages, endured the pain of loss, and emerged stronger each time. “After I became a mother, I realized patience was my new superpower. I had zero patience before. Now, I have to breathe, hold myself back, and keep learning every day from my kids.”

Her bond with daughter Nysa and son Yug is deeply personal and fiercely protective. “Nysa is so much like me—our sense of humor, the way we find the same things funny. Yug, on the other hand, has my temperament; he’s a happy child, always waking up with a smile.”

Letting go, however, has been one of the hardest parts. “When Nysa left to study abroad, it was really tough. As a mother, you worry—will she eat enough, sleep enough, do her homework? But you have to trust that you’ve raised them well and let them find their own path.”

Facing the Dark Side: Trolls and Social Media

No story of a modern celebrity is complete without the shadow of social media. For Kajol, the scrutiny has often crossed the line, especially when it comes to her children. “It’s completely unfair,” she says, her voice tinged with pain. “There should be rules about underage children being photographed or written about online. Nysa was trolled even before she was an adult. It’s not just nasty—it’s untrue and deeply hurtful.”

She recounts the anger and frustration of seeing her daughter targeted by strangers. “If this was a normal person’s child, you could go to the police and report bullying. But because we’re in the spotlight, people think they can say anything. It angers me, but I’ve learned to have long conversations with my kids about it. The only thing I can do is love them unconditionally and teach them to ignore the noise.”

Marriage: Not a Fairytale, But a Commitment

Kajol’s marriage to Ajay Devgn has been the subject of endless speculation. She addresses it with characteristic candor. “We are very different people today than when we first got together. Marriage is not about never having disagreements. It’s about working through them, fighting for what’s right, and coming to terms with what’s best for both.”

There are days, she admits, when neither wants to try, when the baggage feels too heavy. “But you keep trying. That’s the only secret. The day you stop trying, that’s the end.”

Ajay, she says, has always been the calming factor in their relationship. “He’s calm and quiet, sometimes to the point of irritation! But we balance each other out. We’ve grown together, and that’s what matters.”

Redefining Success and Self-Worth

For Kajol, true success isn’t measured by awards or box office numbers, but by the relationships she’s built and the lessons she’s learned. “I’ve always been my own person, running my own race. Life is yours, and if you don’t make your own decisions, someone else will.”

She credits her mother, Tanuja, for teaching her the value of strength—not just the ability to fight, but to have difficult conversations, to listen, and to grow. “Strength is not just about standing up and fighting all the time. It’s about talking through things, having the courage to do what’s right for your children, even when it’s hard.”

Love, Letting Go, and Living Out Loud

As the interview draws to a close, Kajol’s message is clear: life is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes unfair. But it is also beautiful, full of moments worth cherishing. “You have to learn to let go, to trust, and to love unconditionally. That’s what makes you stronger.”

She hopes her story—of growing up between two worlds, of loving fiercely, of surviving heartbreak and hate—will inspire others to embrace their own journeys, with all their imperfections.

In a world that often values perfection over authenticity, Kajol reminds us that real strength lies in vulnerability, and that the brightest stars are those who refuse to be dimmed by the darkness around them.

Kajol: More than just a Bollywood icon—she is a testament to resilience, love, and the enduring power of being true to oneself, no matter what the world says.