Veteran actor Kajol was honoured with the ‘Pride of Indian Cinema’ award at a prestigious awards ceremony in Chennai, recognising her contribution to Hindi cinema across more than three decades. The evening also saw a warm exchange between Kajol and actor Vijay Sethupathi, who spoke about his admiration for her work while addressing the audience at the event.
Praising Kajol’s performances over the years, Sethupathi said he has long enjoyed watching her on screen. Keeping his remarks brief and heartfelt, the actor said, “All your performances, I just love to see onscreen. Nothing more I can say, we are great fans madam.”
Responding to the appreciation, Kajol thanked him for his kind words and spoke about the process of performance and transformation as an actor. “I think when you perform, you become a completely different person. I don’t have that yet, but I will strive towards it,” she said.
Kajol remains one of Hindi cinema’s most enduring and widely loved performers. She made a strong mark early in her career with films such as Baazigar and went on to deliver one of the most iconic performances of the 1990s with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, a film that continues to be celebrated decades after its release.
Over the years, the actor has balanced mainstream success with experimentation. In Gupt: The Hidden Truth, she surprised audiences by stepping away from her girl-next-door image to play an antagonist, a performance that remains one of the film’s most talked-about elements. She later delivered another widely appreciated performance in My Name Is Khan, bringing emotional depth to a story that resonated strongly with audiences.
In recent years, Kajol has continued to explore varied roles across formats. Her projects include the courtroom drama series The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha, the thriller Do Patti, and the mythological horror film Maa. The choices reflect her willingness to experiment with new genres while maintaining a strong connection with audiences.
The honour at the Chennai event acknowledged not just her longevity but also her lasting influence on Hindi cinema, where Kajol’s performances have remained part of the industry’s cultural memory for more than three decades.