KAJOL TALKS ABOUT EMBRACING FASHION AND TEACHING HER KIDS THE VALUE OF MONEY

Do you remember Kajol’s entry in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham?

Dhols, dancing, chaos, euphoria… and in between all this, she’s the burst of energy spreading her magic. I feel I’m part of that scene as soon she walks into her vanity with her entourage of manager, spot boy hair and make-up artists. Suddenly a lazy afternoon turns into a party. She greets me with warmth, checks with her manager about her next shot and reprimands her spot Jalwa (not kidding) for messing up her healthy juice. Her cackling laughter is infectious. I wish I could bottle this jolt of positivity for everyday use.

Kajol radiates a freshly minted quality about her. There’s an unmistakable lightness in her gait. A perpetual glow surrounds her. She’s looking specially radiant today in a magenta top. It’s not a colour you see her wearing often. And she agrees. She was never someone, who cared a damn about style or fashion. But today she’s considered a showstopper. Quizzed about the change, she blushes. “The reason is that I’m actually accepting the compliments. Earlier, if someone said I was looking nice; I didn’t believe it.”

Wait, what? “Yeah, I thought people just said that because they didn’t know how else to compliment me. But now when they say so, I believe it,” she smiles. “When you start liking what you see in the mirror, you start putting in more effort. When you have self-respect, when you stand upright, speak with confidence and believe in yourself, it reflects differently than if you’re hesitant about yourself or lack confidence. People can see what you’re within,” she explains.