“There is a whole revival of the ’90s and 2000s scene that has come up”
Gen Z is rediscovering the Bollywood films that defined the 1990s and early 2000s, and Kajol believes they are looking for something modern cinema often lacks.
As Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham celebrates 25 years, younger audiences are revisiting films including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha.
Kajol says the renewed interest shows that the emotional and romantic style of that era still resonates with Gen Z.
She said: “There is a whole revival of the ’90s and 2000s scene that has come up.”
The actor said she finds the response particularly exciting, as audiences are connecting with films from a very different period of Hindi cinema.
On which character remains closest to her personality, Kajol immediately chose Anjali from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Looking back at the role, Kajol joked that the character closely reflected her personality at the time.
“Anjali from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I feel like there I was a tomboy then!”
Kajol believes the renewed popularity of 1990s and early 2000s Bollywood is linked to the emotional qualities of those films, suggesting audiences are drawn towards movies that were made with passion and offered a more romanticised approach to storytelling.
“There is that whole wanting to, you know, watch films like that.”
Kajol described the films of her era as having a particular sense of passion and cleanliness.
She also believes there is an appetite for more romantic stories in contemporary cinema.
Her comments come as older Bollywood films continue finding new audiences through streaming platforms and social media.
While younger audiences are embracing Kajol’s films, her own children apparently have a different reaction.
Kajol revealed that Nysa Devgn and Yug Devgn are not particularly keen on watching their mother perform emotional scenes.
She explained: “They’re like, ‘We don’t watch your movies because we don’t want to watch our mum cry too much’.”
She joked that her acting ability may actually be the reason her children avoid some of her films.
Kajol added:
“If I was a bad actor, maybe they would have seen more of my films.”
Kajol has also addressed speculation surrounding several projects she has reportedly been linked with.
Reports have connected the actor with Atlee and Allu Arjun’s Raaka, as well as Prabhas’ Spirit.
She stated: “I don’t pay attention to all of these news articles, really.”
The actor added that audiences would know quickly when she officially signs a project.
Kajol was most recently seen in Do Patti and the horror drama Maa.
