Kajol is one of the most iconic actresses in modern Bollywood. She was born into a celebrated film family
She is known for breaking stereotypes. She is celebrated not only for beauty but for her expressive acting and honesty on screen.
She often resisted conventional glam roles in favour of real characters with depth. She also champions body positivity, often ignoring mainstream beauty pressure.
Her roles span innocent young women to fierce defenders, blind women, women with Alzheimer’s disease and mothers protecting their children.
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Table of Contents
Kajol’s Early Life
Kajol was born into a Bollywood family. Her mother, Tanuja, was a leading actress in the 1960s and ’70s. Her father, Shomu Mukherjee, was a filmmaker.
Her aunt Nutan was a legendary actress. Her grandfather Sasadhar Mukherjee helped build Bombay Talkies and Filmistan studios.1
She grew up surrounded by film. She debuted at 16 in Bekhudi (1992). Though the film failed at box office, critics noticed her raw talent and screen presence.
Next in Baazigar (1993), opposite Shah Rukh Khan, she rose to fame. In Yeh Dillagi (1994) and Udhaar Ki Zindagi (1994) she showed range and sensitivity.
Quick Stats and Career Highlights
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kajol Mukherjee (later Kajol Devgn) |
| Born | 5 August 1974, Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra, India |
| Family | Mother: Tanuja; Father: Shomu Mukherjee; Aunt: Nutan; Part of Mukherjee-Samarth film dynasty |
| Debut Film | Bekhudi (1992) at age 16Â |
| Breakthrough | Baazigar (1993); chemistry with Shah Rukh Khan began |
| Iconic Films & Years | Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995); Gupt (1997); Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998); Dushman (1998); Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001); Fanaa (2006); My Name Is Khan (2010); Dilwale (2015); Tanhaji (2020)Â |
| OTT / Recent | Tribhanga (Netflix, 2021); Sallam Venky (2022); Lust Stories 2 (2023); The Trial (2023); Do Patti (2024); Maa (2025)Â |
| Awards | 6 Filmfare Awards (5 Best Actress; 1 Negative Role); Padma Shri 2011; multiple Screen, Zee Cine, Bengal Film Journalists Awards; Raj Kapoor Award 2025Â |
| Box Office (leading roles) | Approx. US $54.76 million worldwide gross from 4 lead films; domestic approx. US $6.54 m, international approx. US $48.23 m |
| Net Worth & Assets (Aug 2025) | Approx ₹ 240 crore; real estate ~₹ 180.5 crore including Juhu bungalow, Mumbai apartments, London Park Lane property; brand endorsements; philanthropy via Relief Projects India |
| Public Image | Known for fierce authenticity; body positivity; multilingual pride; socially conscious roles; occasionally controversial comments on language & nepotism; praised for staying real and rooted |
Rise to Stardom: Mid-1990s
In 1995, she starred in two major films. Karan Arjun (1995) with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan was the second-highest grosser of the year and a massive hit; Kajol played Sonia Saxena in a supporting but memorable role.2
But her defining moment was Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ, 1995). She played Simran, a young British-Indian woman torn between love and family duty. DDLJ grossed approx US $60 million worldwide in its time. It became the longest-running Indian film in history, playing continuously in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir for years.
Kajol won her first Filmfare Best Actress award for Simran. DDLJ cemented her as a generation-defining romantic heroine.
I love it when the caffeine kicks in and I realise what an adorable badass I’m going to be today 😉 pic.twitter.com/uhMJquJKv8
— Kajol (@itsKajolD) September 4, 2025
In Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997) she played a rare Bollywood villain. Her performance was fierce and surprising. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role, the first actress to do so in that category.
Then came Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), directed by Karan Johar. Kajol played tomboy-turned-glamorous Anjali opposite Shah Rukh Khan. The film became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 1998. She won her second Filmfare Best Actress award.
In Dushman (1998) she took on dual roles as twin sisters one sweet, one vengeful. She sported a distinctive unibrow for realism, a rare bold choice in mainstream Indian cinema. That aesthetic added emotional depth to her characters and became recognised as a symbol of defying beauty norms.3
Family Drama & Personal Life
In 1999 her relationship with co-star Ajay Devgn went public. They had worked together in films such as Ishq (1997), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998), Hulchul (1995) where they first met.
They married in a quiet private ceremony in February 1999 on Ajay’s terrace. There was no grand proposal or fanfare. Kajol later revealed they had dated secretly for about five years before marriage.
Soon after they married Kajol starred in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (K3G, 2001). She played Anjali again opposite Shah Rukh Khan in a story of Indian family values and conflict.
K3G broke box office records and became one of the highest-grossing films in India that year. Kajol won her third Filmfare Best Actress award for the role.
Around that time she suffered two miscarriages early into her marriage. She has spoken about this in interviews. She paused her career for some years thereafter to focus on family life.
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Comeback & Mature Roles
After a break Kajol returned in Fanaa (2006) opposite Aamir Khan. She portrayed Zooni, a blind woman who recovers her sight only to face tragedy. The film was a hit. She won her fourth Filmfare Best Actress award.
Next she starred in U Me Aur Hum (2008), playing a woman with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Her performance won critical praise though the film did modest business.
Her next major role was in My Name Is Khan (2010) alongside Shah Rukh Khan. She portrayed Mandira, a mother who faces prejudice in post-9/11 America. Kajol won her fifth Filmfare Best Actress award. She also received widespread acclaim and the film was a commercial success.
She appeared less frequently thereafter. One of her biggest hits in the 2010s was Dilwale (2015) with Shah Rukh Khan. She also appeared in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020) where she played the warrior’s wife. That film grossed highly at the box office.
OTT & Recent Work
From 2021 onward Kajol embraced digital content. She starred in:
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Tribhanga (Netflix, 2021), a drama about intergenerational women in conflict.
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Salaam Venky (2022), a family drama.
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Lust Stories 2 (2023), anthology.
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The Trial (2023), legal-drama series.
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Do Patti (2024), thriller.
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Maa (2025), mythological horror release on 27 June 2025. She sought blessings at Kolkata’s Dakshineswar Kali Temple ahead of release, calling it one of her strongest roles ever. In Maa she plays a protective mother facing dark forces. It was produced by Ajay Devgn’s company and Jio Studios.
Awards & Recognition
Kajol has won 43 awards from some 72 nominations across major Indian film award platforms. Highlights include:
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6 Filmfare Awards: Best Actress (DDLJ, KKHH, K3G, Fanaa, My Name Is Khan) and Best Female Negative Role (Gupt).
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Padma Shri, Government of India, in 2011.
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Screen Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Bollywood Movie Awards, Stardust Awards, Bengal Film Journalists Association awards.
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Raj Kapoor Award, Maharashtra State Film Awards, 2025. She accepted wearing her mother’s saree and spoke in Marathi. The moment honoured generational legacy.
Box Office Impact
According to The-Numbers.com, Kajol’s four leading films grossed approximately US $54.76 million worldwide including ~$6.54 m domestic and ~$48.23 m international. As leading ensemble member in one film she earned additional $26.37 m worldwide.4
She ranks within the top 3,000 worldwide stars by box office, and in the top 2,300 in international box office lead roles. Her star ranking remains notable even years after her peak period.
Business, Endorsements & Philanthropy
Kajol is more than an actor:
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Her net worth in August 2025 is estimated at approx ₹ 240 crore.
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She owns prime real estate worth ~₹ 180.5 crore: a ₹ 60 crore bungalow ‘Shiv Shakti’ in Juhu; multiple Mumbai apartments bought in 2022–23 worth ₹ 28.5 crore; and a ₹ 30 crore commercial property in Goregaon. She also co-owns a London Park Lane property valued at ₹ 54 crore with Ajay Devgn.5
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She earns through high-end brand endorsements: Olay, Knorr, Tata Indicom, Alpenliebe, Tanishq, and others.
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She is active in philanthropy through Relief Projects India, supporting underprivileged children and widows.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When and where was Kajol born?
A: She was born on 5 August 1974 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India.
Q: What was her debut film?
A: Bekhudi (1992) at age 16. It did not perform well but earned her early notice.
Q: Which film made her a star?
A: Baazigar (1993) first showcased her in a hit. But Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) made her a national icon and earned her first Best Actress award.
Q: How many Filmfare Awards has she won?
A: Six in total: five Best Actress awards and one Best Female Negative Role (for Gupt).
Q: Has she received any national honours?
A: Yes. She received the Padma Shri in 2011 for her contribution to Indian cinema.
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