Kajol Birthday 2023: A look at the actress and Shah Rukh Khan's three-decade long lively friendship

Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan in `Dilwale`

In the glittering world of Bollywood, the friendship between renowned actors Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan shines brightly. Their off-screen camaraderie mirrors the on-screen chemistry they've demonstrated in numerous popular films such as 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', ‘Dilwale', and ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'.

Over the years, Kajol and SRK have confirmed and opened up about their close-knit friendship. She told Mashable India that their relationship was one of deep mutual trust, adding, "if I ever had to call him up at 3 o'clock in the morning, he would pick up my phone, and he knows vice versa."

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Kajol also revealed some of her likes and dislikes about Shah Rukh Khan, or SRK. She said she found it both irritating and endearing that he knew everyone's dialogues on the set.

"What I don't like and I also find most endearing about him, is the fact that when he comes on the set, he knows all the dialogues of everybody on the set. It doesn't matter if we are doing a three-page scene, he would have memorized all the three pages. He knows my dialogues, his dialogues and third person's dialogues as well," the actress had said at the time," she said.

Their friendship hasn't been without its ups and downs. During the shooting of their first film together, 'Baazigar', SRK once called Kajol 'an idiot,' critiquing her lack of understanding of acting. Recalling the incident during a ScoopWhoop Townhall episode, Kajol admitted she initially brushed off his comments. However, over time, she recognized the importance of mastering the craft of acting.

"I didn't know acting at all. It's the truth. At the time of Baazigar, Shah Rukh (Khan) had said to me, 'You know you are an idiot. You really are an idiot. Tum gadhi ho, tumhe pata nahi tum kya karrahi ho. Tumhe kuch pata nahi hai acting k baare mein. Tum bas aese ghumti phirti ho. Tumhe pata nahi hai ki tum kya karrahi ho camera k saamne (You're an idiot and you don't know what you are doing. You don't know anything about acting. You just roam around. You don't know what you're doing in front of the camera). And you better watch it because you have to learn the craft of acting."

Kajol admitted that she didn't realize the importance of craft or the necessary separation of acting as craft as opposed to acting stemming from personal emotion at all times.

"And I was like 'what's that? what do you mean by craft? Hann dialogue bolna hai boldeti hoon na. Kya problem kya hai isme (I have to deliver dialogues, I do that. What is the problem in that?) Whatever I'm supposed to do I'm doing na. What's the big deal about that. And he was like 'No you will understand later'. He was right actually. It took me some time but I realised it is very necessary as actors to develop a skill because it cannot be heartfelt all the time. One person does not have that much emotion in them to last a lifetime or to last through as much work as you want to do."

Despite her early skepticism, Kajol eventually appreciated SRK's advice. In a 2018 interview with PTI, she recounted how she had initially dismissed this conversation but had realized the significance of his advance while filming 'Udhar Ki Zindagi'. The heavy, emotionally draining role made her realize the importance of honing her acting skills.

Their association expanded from 'Baazigar' in 1993 to six other films, the latest being 'Dilwale' in 2015. Each collaborative project solidified their bond further, evolving from mere colleagues to being the best of friends. Bollywood cherishes this iconic duo for their enduring and genuine friendship, which has resulted in several cinematic hits.

In a recent interview, Kajol, preparing for 'The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha', was asked who she'd prefer as her lawyer in a film - her husband Ajay Devgn or SRK. Instantly, she chose SRK, calling him a smooth talker who could talk her out of anything.

Through the course of their shared filmography and friendship, Kajol and SRK have demonstrated the depth of their connection. Whether it's Kajol's appreciative acceptance of SRK's honest critique and or their unwavering support for each other, their friendship continues to inspire and captivate audiences off-screen as much as their performances do on-screen.