Kajol Admits She Felt Like the Outsider on the Long-Haul Set of Ishq

Despite her effervescent persona, the Bollywood star says gruelling 300-day shoots left her craving solitude—even amid co-stars.

Kajol—celebrated across Bollywood for her vivacious spirit and candid charm—recently revisited memories from the making of Ishq (1997), a film that went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year. But behind the bright chemistry and hit songs, the actress recalls a more solitary experience.

In an honest conversation, Kajol revealed that life on set wasn’t as breezy as it appeared. Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla, she said, were in a close circle with director Indra Kumar, effortlessly bonding during shoots. Kajol and co-star Ajay Devgn often found themselves on the periphery. “Aamir was very friendly with the director, and so was Juhi, so these three were a close-knit group. And then there were me and Ajay. And eventually, it was just me,” she admitted, adding, “There were certain days on set when I was not willing to talk to anybody.”

What made matters harder was the relentless pace of the production. The film took a staggering 300 days to wrap—spanning nearly a year of daily 8- to 10-hour shoots, a marathon by any standard. Despite her gregarious nature, Kajol confessed that even extroverts need moments of silence: “I can try to be social, but I can’t constantly be chatting.”

Yet from that solitude emerged something beautiful—a deeper connection with Ajay Devgn. The pair, who had previously co-starred in Hulchul (1995), grew closer during the Ishq shoot. Two years later, they married in 1999 and now share a life together with their children.

At the same time, it’s worth remembering Ishq’s undeniable legacy: directed by Indra Kumar, this masala blockbuster released on 28 November 1997, featuring a star-studded cast—Aamir Khan, Kajol, Juhi Chawla, and Ajay Devgn—and enjoyably catchy music by Anu Malik. It ended up as the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 1997.

While its on-screen magic remains a nostalgic favourite, Kajol’s candid recollection adds nuance: even in success, there are unseen challenges, and sometimes, true bonds are forged in those quieter, unexpected corners of life.