'My B’day wish is Peace in the country'

This dusky actress has mastered the art of stealing the hearts of movie buffs with her disarmingly natural portrayals.

But, that is something you would expect from Kajol, the granddaughter of Shobhna Samarth, daughter of Tanuja and niece of Nutan - the actresses who set milestones in Bollywood with their superlative performances. Kajol, who is turning 33 tomorrow, speaks to NT about films, television shows and peace in the country.

‘My biggest wish’
Tell her to reveal her birthday plans and you are treated to her trademark tinkling laughter, which comes straight from the heart. She says, "My life at the moment is going through such a hectic pace that I would rather chill out at home. No news would be good news at this juncture, and making no plans would really make me happy. I just hope to have a very uneventful birthday." But surely, husband Ajay Devgan and her six-year-old daughter Nysa have made some secret plans? To this Kajol says, "I am sure! But Nysa hasn't revealed these plans to me yet. Batayegi, batayegi!" And what is her biggest birthday wish? "I wish for peace in my heart and peace in our country. These ongoing blasts across the nation have disturbed me a lot," she says getting emotional.

On awards
Kajol is one of the few actresses in Bollywood who have bagged four Filmfare Awards. And at the rate she's going, the lady is all set to break her maasi Nutan's record who had bagged five Filmfare Awards. Ask her if national award is next on her agenda and she promptly replies, "When you do a particular film, you don't have awards in mind. But, yes, it definitely feels good when you are called as the best amongst your peers and awarded for the same. I wouldn't say that I don't aspire for a national award, but I don't sign films just to get awards."

A class apart
The star who has broken the myth about actresses not doing well post-marriage, took a sabbatical for five years and wowed her fans yet again with films like Fanaa and U, Me aur Hum. How did she manage this feat? "I think people have forgotten about actresses like Meena Kumari, Saira Banu etc., who did even better after marriage than before. I am not the sole exception," says she. The talented star will soon be appearing in her home production Toonpur Ka Superhero. Ask her what exactly is the film all about and she says, "As the name suggests, it's a cartoon film and we will have a lot of live characters in it. I can't reveal more than that, you will have to watch this film to know more."

Now that there are talks of the sequel of Andaz Apna Apna being made, would she want to do a role in the film? Kajol says rather candidly, "I don't have an objection to any role as long as it clicks in my head." And does the lady, who has been tagged as the chatterbox of the industry, have any plans to host a chat show on television? "Nobody has come to me with such a proposal, but if something good comes along, why not! I really don't know whether I will be good at it, because despite being a chatterbox, I am not a very public person," she confesses.

Dream pairing
There is a lot of buzz about Karan Johar's film - My Name is Khan - in which she will be appearing with Shah Rukh Khan again. Now that's one pairing, which has always been a superhit with the cinegoers. But, isn't she scared of the expectations that people would have from this project? "No, I am not scared! Darna tha toh tab darti jab Bollywood main enter kiya tha - with legacy of my mom, maasi and granny behind me. I take my work seriously, but it doesn't affect my nerves," says Kajol in a cool-as-a-cucumber manner before signing off.