Kajol Opens Up About Shah Rukh Khan's Tough Advice That Shaped Her Career

Bollywood's powerhouse, Kajol, has always been an inspiring figure on screen, but even she faced a rough patch early in her career. In a candid interview, the actor revealed that she once wanted to quit acting after her third film. At just 18, Kajol felt burnt out, exhausted by the challenges of her new profession. But it was Shah Rukh Khan’s tough love that pushed her to keep going.

In an interview with India Today, Kajol recently shared a personal moment from her early days in Bollywood when she seriously considered quitting acting. At just 18, after completing her third film, Udhaar Ki Zindagi, the weight of the industry had begun to overwhelm her. "I remember telling my mom, 'I’m done. I can’t cry anymore, I can’t move anymore,'" Kajol recalled, opening up about her exhaustion.

It was Shah Rukh Khan, her co-star and long-time friend, who stepped in with a dose of tough love. "You just have to learn how to act," he told her.

At the time, Kajol didn’t fully grasp the meaning behind his words. “What does he mean, 'learn how to act'?" she thought. But rather than walking away, Kajol decided to stay and evolve. She chose to explore new roles, signing films like Gunda Raj and Hulchul, which were a departure from the intense characters she had been playing. Looking back, Kajol says those films were where she truly started honing her acting skills.

Fast forward to today, Kajol continues to take on bold new roles. Her upcoming project, Do Patti, set to release on October 25, 2024, features her as a police officer—a role unlike any she’s tackled before.