Kajol Says Women in Hindi Cinema Are Finally Getting More Than Supporting Roles

Actor Kajol believes Hindi cinema is moving towards a more meaningful representation of women, with female characters increasingly being written as central figures rather than simply supporting elements in a male-led story.

Kajol has welcomed the growing presence of women-led and female-focused narratives in Hindi cinema, saying filmmakers are now creating stronger opportunities for actresses to play characters with greater depth and purpose.

Her comments come amid discussions surrounding Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh’s action film Alpha, which has generated considerable conversation among audiences. Kajol praised the concept behind the project and pointed to it as an example of the changing space available to women in mainstream Hindi films.

According to the actor, the shift is not necessarily about determining whether women are being portrayed in a “better” light, but about giving them considerably more visibility and importance within stories.

Kajol on the changing role of women in films

After more than three decades in Hindi cinema, Kajol has witnessed significant changes in the way female characters are conceived and presented on screen.

She believes the industry is gradually moving towards stories in which women are given opportunities to drive the narrative instead of existing primarily as romantic interests, family members or supporting characters.

The actor’s own career reflects that evolution. Over the years, she has taken on a range of roles across mainstream films, dramatic projects and streaming productions. Her recent work includes the legal drama series The Trial and films such as Do Patti and Maa, projects that place considerable emphasis on their female protagonists.

For Kajol, the development is significant because stronger writing gives actresses greater scope to explore different dimensions of performance.

She noted that filmmakers are increasingly writing more substantial characters for women and allowing them to become an integral part of the story rather than treating them as an additional plotline.

Her approach to choosing films has not changed

Despite the changes in the industry, Kajol says her fundamental approach to selecting projects remains much the same.

The actor has consistently looked for characters that personally interest her and offer something she can explore as a performer. She says that instinct remains important when deciding whether to accept a role.

At the same time, Kajol wants to continue experimenting with different kinds of characters rather than simply repeating the roles audiences already associate with her.

For her, the challenge of doing something unfamiliar remains one of the most important reasons to take on a new project.

Kajol trusts her instinct when choosing a character

Kajol’s decision-making process appears to begin with the character itself.

If a role fails to convince her at the initial stage, she does not see a reason to proceed with the project. The actor’s emphasis on personal conviction has remained a consistent part of her career philosophy.

That approach has allowed her to move between commercial cinema, drama and streaming projects while continuing to look for roles that offer a fresh performance opportunity.

Rather than choosing a project simply because of its scale or commercial expectations, Kajol appears to place considerable importance on whether she can connect with the character.

‘I’m a kinder person today,’ Kajol reflects

Looking back on the changes in her life and personality, Kajol also reflected on how she has evolved away from the person she was earlier in her career.

She described herself as a kinder person today, while clarifying that kindness was not absent from her personality in the past. Instead, she suggested that she may not have expressed it as openly when she was younger.

The reflection offers another glimpse into the actor’s perspective on growing older, both professionally and personally.

Family remains at the centre of Kajol’s birthday

Kajol, who turned 52 on August 5, 2026, has traditionally preferred celebrating her birthday with people closest to her rather than organising elaborate public celebrations.

For the actor, the occasion is primarily about spending time with family and close friends. She has described her birthday as an opportunity to reconnect with people she may not be able to meet regularly during the rest of the year.

Family, in particular, remains an important part of the occasion.

Kajol has spoken warmly about her daughter Nysa Devgn, who is an adult and studies abroad. Despite the demands of their individual schedules, Kajol said her family makes a conscious effort to be together for her birthday.

That effort, she indicated, is one of the things she values most about the occasion.

Kajol’s enduring enthusiasm for birthdays

Although her celebrations may be intimate, Kajol has never hidden her enthusiasm for birthdays.

She has described herself as someone who genuinely enjoys the day and makes sure the people around her remember it. The sentiment reflects the personal side of an actor whose professional life has remained closely watched for decades.

From her views on the changing portrayal of women to her thoughts on family, Kajol’s latest reflections underline an important theme in her career: evolution without abandoning the instincts that have guided her choices.

As Hindi cinema continues to experiment with female-led action films, dramas and streaming narratives, Kajol believes the increased space being given to women is a positive development. For an actor who has spent more than 30 years navigating the industry, the change represents a broader shift in how women’s stories are being written and positioned for mainstream audiences.

About the story

This article is an independently rewritten news report based on the interview material provided for publication. Quotes and factual claims should be checked against the original interview/transcript before publication, particularly where quotation marks are used.