Karan Johar's directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji was praised for the on-screen pairing, chemistry and music. But over the years, it has also received criticism for the cringe content with several loopholes and gender politics. Here's what Kajol has to say.
Kajol on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai criticism
In a recent interview with The Lallantop, when Kajol was asked particularly about Shah Rukh’s character considering Anjali, who has a 'tomboy' look, as his friend in their college days, and then falls in love with her when she dresses up like a woman.
Kajol replied that she did not think of these elements when she did the film. She said they made the film only for entertainment. She feels that films reflect society, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was exactly that. "People thought like that at that point in time. Agar aaj KKHH banaane jaate toh we would be laughed out (If we made the film today, we would be laughed at)," she added.
The actress further said, "That tomboy cut would probably be part of the second half. Pehle saree mein thi toh pasand nahi aayi thi, uske baad when she started playing basketball and became cool is when he starts liking her. It would be the opposite, rather than this way round. Woh uss waqt ke liye sahi thi. If we did it today or point out what was right or wrong, shayad hum galat hain usmein (The first half would be that the saree look was not liked then she would be liked that she played basketball and was cool. It was okay for its time. If we try and pick it that way, we were wrong in that film)."
On the work front, Kajol's last release was mythological horror film Maa. She will be seen in Sarzameen, with Prithviraj Sukumaran and Ibrahim Ali Khan. The film will premiere on JioHotstar on July 25.