Kajol On `Almost` Doing A Mani Ratnam Film Before Kuch Kuch Hota Hai: It Didn`t Work Out Because..
Updated on: 29 June, 2025 10:00 AM IST |Shweta Shah

Kajol
Kajol is one of the finest and most versatile actresses we have in Bollywood. With a craft like hers, she is leaving a solid legacy behind for her children, Nysa Devgn and Yug Devgn. The actress will celebrate her 49th birthday tomorrow. One of her most popular movies, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, went on to become a cult hit. But did you know she was offered a Mani Ratnam movie first?
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) is a music romance written and directed by Karan Johar. It featured Shah Rukh Khan (Rahul), Kajol (Anjali), and Rani Mukerji (Tina) in titular roles. The movie saw Anjali`s massive transformation from a tomboy wearing track pants to a beautiful woman dressed in sarees. Salman Khan made a special appearance in the movie.
Recalling the same, Kajol said, "I was supposed to shoot for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and at that time, I got an offer from Mani Ratnam to do a film for him. First of all, I couldn`t believe I got an offer from Mr. Ratnam. But things didn`t work out because I had committed those dates to Karan for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. A lot of people told me, `You should have done Mani sir`s film`. At that time, I felt that my commitment was more important, and it worked in my favor."
When asked to choose her favorite from two of her benchmark roles - Sirman from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Anjali from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - she picked the latter. Kajol mentioned that if she had the liberty to write Anjali`s role, she would be dressed like a rapper in sweat pants.
Also Read: Are Kajol And Shah Rukh Reuniting Again After Dilwale? Here Is What You Need To Know
"Today, you can say, `Anjali shouldn`t have worn a saree` or `Why didn`t Rahul fall for her when she was in track pants?` You can ask these questions right now, but the Raj and Anjali of that time perhaps fell in love because of exactly that. Times have changed, and so has the definition of love," Kajol further added.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) is a music romance written and directed by Karan Johar. It featured Shah Rukh Khan (Rahul), Kajol (Anjali), and Rani Mukerji (Tina) in titular roles. The movie saw Anjali`s massive transformation from a tomboy wearing track pants to a beautiful woman dressed in sarees. Salman Khan made a special appearance in the movie.
Kajol almost did a Mani Ratnam movie
Not many know this, but before doing Karan Johar`s Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the actress was offered a Mani Ratnam movie as a leading lady.Recalling the same, Kajol said, "I was supposed to shoot for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and at that time, I got an offer from Mani Ratnam to do a film for him. First of all, I couldn`t believe I got an offer from Mr. Ratnam. But things didn`t work out because I had committed those dates to Karan for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. A lot of people told me, `You should have done Mani sir`s film`. At that time, I felt that my commitment was more important, and it worked in my favor."
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When asked to choose her favorite from two of her benchmark roles - Sirman from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Anjali from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - she picked the latter. Kajol mentioned that if she had the liberty to write Anjali`s role, she would be dressed like a rapper in sweat pants.
Also Read: Are Kajol And Shah Rukh Reuniting Again After Dilwale? Here Is What You Need To Know
"Today, you can say, `Anjali shouldn`t have worn a saree` or `Why didn`t Rahul fall for her when she was in track pants?` You can ask these questions right now, but the Raj and Anjali of that time perhaps fell in love because of exactly that. Times have changed, and so has the definition of love," Kajol further added.
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