Kajol: I don't think there is anyone better than me right now
Mumbai: Actress Kajol feels that no one comes close to her from the current crop of heroines in Bollywood. "There is no one. I don't think there is any one better than me. Not right now. I think acting is something where you learn, re-learn things, hone and refine your skills. I think the girls need time," she said in conversation with friend and filmmaker Karan Johar on the third day of Ficci Frames here.
The 38-year-old actress is known for her memorable performances in films like 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', 'Dushman', 'Fanaa' and 'My Name is Khan' among others.
Born to actress Tanuja and film director Shomu Mukherjee, she made her acting debut with 'Bekhudi' (1992) while she was in school. She quit her studies to pursue acting and had her first commercial success with 'Baazigar'. She delivered several blockbuster family dramas, including 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' and others. Even her negative portrayal in 'Gupt' was appreciated.
Kajol, who is married to actor Ajay Devgn, took a sabbatical from full-time acting in 2001 and returned to films with the 2006 romantic thriller, 'Fanaa'.
Her pairing with superstar Shah Rukh Khan is another highlight of her career.
When asked who she considers as the next hit pair like them in the industry, Kajol said, "I haven't seen anyone like that who could build or match upto to 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', 'Dilwale '."
Even as everyone is curious to see Kajol come back in films, it's her family that keeps her occupied. "I had babies.... I had to bring them up so I couldn't be committed to films," she said.
Kajol also revealed that she is open to small screen. "I would like to do something on TV. But there is nothing concrete on that front. I haven't spoken to anyone. One thing I am sure of is that I won't judge a dance reality show."
The actress also revealed it's her "gut feeling" that makes her do a film. "I go by gut feeling. I should like the subject of the film, I should enjoy it as a listener and feel comfortable.
And at the end of it it should make me feel happy and interest me. If all these things are in place I agree to do a film," she said. Kajol says she would like to do a film like 'Kahaani' but not a 'Dirty Picture' "since I have a family at home, a husband and children."
"There are certain things that I am not comfortable doing it and hence I will not do it. I don't think I would be able to do justice to it ('The Dirty Picture') on celluloid," she said.
Speaking on item songs that have come under the scanner of the censor board, Kajol said, "I think item or special songs are going on since quite some time in films. It has not come out suddenly. I don't think there is anything wrong with it as it just adds it to a film."
I don't see any issues with it. I like to see it.... I enjoy watching them," she said. "I think one cannot blame item numbers for anything. Cinema reflects society and it is not the other way round." On whether she would be comfortable doing a item song, she said jovially, "I think Karan would be better to do an
item song. He is much better than me....I think he is 20 times better than me for an item song."
Dressed in a yellow attire, Kajol looked stunning. On her fitness, she said, "I am doing a lot of gymming, working out. And all thanks to Karan for making me look the way I do. He is the first person to have made a brand of himself beyond
the facet of being a director. It is you (Karan) who changed my attitude towards certain things."
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The chemistry between the lead pair is being compared to the memorable screen pair Rajesh Khanna-Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha and Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol. Karan Johar says, "is one of the most interesting pairs of wires, as they have completely opposite energies. But together, have a passion for writing everywhere. Romantically Lootera sexy is what seems to be. That's a rare feat to capture in celluloid. "
