Kajol Calls Herself A 'Veteran', Says Actors Today Aren't Just Icons But Also 'Brands'

As someone who spent her life in front of the camera, Kajol is not one to shy away from evolving over time and embracing ageing. In a recent chat with Harper’s Bazaar India, the actress opened up about how Bollywood has changed for actors, who are no longer only stars but also brands. She also talked about how actresses have no age bar today.

Kajol said, “The biggest difference is that today, you’re not just an icon. You’re a brand, a persona, almost a business.” Kajol mentioned that earlier, stardom was limited only to movie theatres, but now, an actor’s influence is tremendous. She said that the ‘old charm’ of being a star does not exist today. However, there is also an upside: “Earlier, a heroine’s career might last 20 or 30 years. Now she

can keep working forever—there’s no stopping it.”

When asked what the word “icon” means to her, Kajol said, “Someone original who retains their authenticity. My mother is 82 today, and she’s my icon. I hope to be like her.” Just like Tanuja, Kajol has gracefully embraced ageing. She said, “I love it.”

The 51-year-old actress said, “It gives me the leeway to say I’m a veteran. Not everyone has the privilege of getting older—it’s freeing… People have seen me at 16 and now at 50, through every phase—pregnancy, fat, thin, long hair, short hair. My whole life has been on record. And it makes you realise this, too shall pass. Whether it’s an airport look or a hit film, both are temporary. What matters is the life you build, and the people around you.”

Kajol said that she is “slightly” more grown up now that she has spent decades in the industry. She said, “Confidence, I always had. But today, I know exactly what I’m doing, exactly how I want to do it. The questions are clearer, so the answers are clearer too.”

Kajol cemented her place as one of the most loved stars of the 1990s with a filmography that included Baazigar, Udhaar Ki Zindagi, Gupt and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The following decade came Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Fanaa and My Name Is Khan. More recently, she has ventured into the OTT space with The Trial being her debut series. The second season of the show drops on September 19.