Kajol has always been known for wearing her heart on her sleeve—be it in her films or real life. As a daughter, mother, and actor, she’s never shied away from showing her emotional side. In a recent reflection, the Maa actress opened up about a deeply personal moment involving her daughter Nysa and her mother Tanuja—highlighting how motherhood transformed her understanding of love, gratitude, and the bond she shares with her mom.
Kajol on motherhood
In conversation with SCREEN, Kajol reflected on how becoming a mother helped her truly understand the depth of a parent’s love. She shared that it wasn’t until she had her daughter, Nysa, that she realised the extent of her own mother Tanuja’s love and sacrifices. Kajol recalled breaking down when Nysa was six months old, telling her mother she finally understood what love really meant and thanked her for always being there. She added that although she always appreciated her upbringing, motherhood gave her a deeper perspective on her parents’ role in her life.
Kajol on working with mom Tanuja
In an earlier interview with India Today, the actress spoke about the unique experience of working alongside her mother, veteran actress Tanuja. Reflecting on their time together on the film Toonpur Ka Superrhero, Kajol admitted that acting with her mom was one of the most challenging experiences of her career. She revealed that Tanuja has been her toughest co-star and recalled feeling so intimidated that she was actually shivering on set. For the first time in her life, Kajol felt genuinely nervous in front of the camera—something that rarely happens, as she’s usually confident and composed while working.Workwise, Kajol was last seen in Maa, directed by Vishal Furia and released on June 27, 2025. The film featured her alongside Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, and Kherin Sharma. While Kajol described feeling somewhat disoriented during the shoot, she also called the experience of sharing screen space with her mother, Tanuja, nothing short of surreal—standing in front of both her mom and the camera made it truly memorable.
Tanuja was hesitant to play Kajol’s on-screen mother
Interestingly, in a throwback interview shared by Wilderness Films India Ltd on YouTube, Tanuja had admitted to feeling awkward about playing Kajol’s on-screen mother. She revealed her reluctance, saying she’s never been entirely comfortable with being cast in that role simply because of their real-life relationship.