I Can't Work With People I Don't Like - Kajol

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, her cult film with Shah Rukh Khan, released 23 years ago, is still playing at a prominent theatre in Mumbai. That shows her staying power alright. After enjoying a formidable position in the 90s, the luminous star took to marriage and motherhood with equal passion and poise. Intermittent hits like Fanaa, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, My Name Is Khan and Dilwale reiterated her sway at the box-office. But with Pradeep Sarkar’s Helicopter Eela, Kajol has entered a new realm. For her role of an obsessive mother, she didn’t have to look elsewhere but within herself. For all mothers are the same some maybe a little madder. Love is all that they give. Love is all that they wish to receive over to Kajol who’s all about love

In Helicopter Eela, you’re playing a mother of a grown-up. Any hesitation before doing the role?

No. I’m the mother of a 15-year old in real life. Let’s be honest. I’m proud of the fact that Nysa’s 15. There’s nothing I won’t do if the script is good. I’d love to play an old woman with white hair if I must. If the script is good, why not?

How similar are you to Eela as a mother?

Eela is like every mother, who’s completely obsessed with her child. Mera bachcha sabse sundar hai, sabse achcha hai, sabse smart hai. Every mother believes so. But Eela’s just that extra paranoid. She’s mad! (Laughs) You’re relieved that she is someone else’s mother.

But you will like her for what she is, you will forgive her. Whatever she does, the reason behind it is love. When we become mothers, we forget that we are anything else other than that. You get lost and you don’t know how to find yourself. It’s almost like a coming-of-age story of Eela. I found it easy to play Eela. (Laughs) Riddhi (Sen) ko bahut thappad pade hain! That was Pradeepdaís (Sarkar) idea.

How was it working with Pradeep Sarkar?

Pradeepda was amazing to work with. He’s the oldest debutant in the world. I had presented him the Best Director Award (for Parineeta, 2005) on the Filmfare stage. (Laughs) In terms of seniority, I’m older. He has a fabulous sense of humour. As an actor, you want to work with a director, who taps the unexpected in you. Pradeepda did that.

In real-life too, you’ve always given priority to family

I’ve always maintained that my family is paramount for me. What would I be without them? Family is my anchor, my roots.

Like Eela, do you also complain about your kids not spending enough time with you?