Kajol’s Choice: Who her version of Anjali would choose in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai after 26 years
Karan Johar’s iconic film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, and Salman Khan, is celebrating its 26th anniversary since its release on October 16, 2024. As the movie marks this milestone, we reminisce about when Kajol expressed her preference for Salman Khan’s character over Shah Rukh Khan’s in Johar’s film. She also mentioned that her version of Anjali would never wear a saree.
In an interview with Humans of Bombay, Kajol was asked about her portrayal of Anjali in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. She mentioned that her version of Anjali would never wear a saree but instead would pair track pants with stylish, expensive sneakers and still make it look good.
When asked who she would have chosen between Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and Aman (Salman Khan), Kajol said, “On the script level, maybe I would have gone with Salman’s character, but in the film, if you watch it, there is no choice about the ending; it has to be the way it is.”
Kajol’s character, Anjali, initially starts as a tomboy with short hair, secretly in love with her best friend Rahul, and later transforms into a sari-clad woman with long hair after eight years.
In 2019, director Karan Johar admitted that Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was his most “politically incorrect” film. According to the Indian Express, he also revealed that Shabana Azmi had strongly criticized him over the phone for the same.
Speaking at the Melbourne Film Festival, Karan recounted how Shabana angrily questioned him, asking why the film portrayed a girl with short hair as unattractive and only made her pretty when her hair was long. When Karan apologized, Shabana retorted, “That’s all you have to say?” Karan admitted she was right, and he had no further defense.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, directed by Karan Johar, is a beloved romantic drama that has enchanted audiences since its release on October 16, 1998. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, and Salman Khan, the film explores themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery.
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