Disappointment of a Kajol fan due to her arrogance

15 March, 2013

There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and while people like a self-assured, confident human being, they most certainly do not look upto condescending and arrogant human behavior. From the time I started understanding that films were not real and people were actors, pretending to be someone else, I have loved Kajol.

Her simple looks never came in the way and I would absolutely defend her if I heard my mother say that 'she is not as beautiful as Tanuja.' With each character and film, she rose in my eyes as a fine actress with no airs. However, her latest comment that she did not feel any present day actress is better than her - appear arrogant and self-centered. Agreed that my opinion as a journalist doesn't count but as a fan I am hugely disappointed.

She was a guest in Ficci Frames event, and was in conversation with friend and director Karan Johar. On the third day of Ficci Frames, she said, “There is no one. I don't think there is any one better than me. Not right now. I think acting is something where you learn, re-learn things, hone and refine your skills. I think the girls need time,” reported The Indian Express. Agreed that Kajol has been born and raised in a film family and has been exposed to films from a young age but to write off people like this seems a little too Sheldon Cooperish (for people who do not follow 'The Big Bang Theory', Sheldon Cooper is a physicist who believes that he and Stephen Hawkings are the only two great men alive).

Indian cinema is experiencing a high point as commercial as well as small budget movies are making their mark and good actors are carving their own niche. Vidya Balan, has come a long way from her Hum Paanch days, and today has the power to shoulder a hit entirely on her own - without a leading man. This feat, whatever Kajol might say, was never accomplished by any other actress. Talking about Balan and her role in Dirty Picture, the 38-year-old Kajol said, “There are certain things that I am not comfortable doing it and hence I will not do it. I don't think I would be able to do justice to it ('The Dirty Picture') on celluloid.” Balan on the other hand, not only did the role but pulled it off quite well.

Huma Qureshi on the other hand made quite a few waves with her gutsy village belle role in Gangs of Wasseypur, and to not acknowledge her only makes Kajol seem petty. Actresses who are making path-breaking contributions to cinema at the moment are many and among them are Kalki Kochin, Chitrangada, and Prachi Desai - all from non-filmy background and doing small budget or other kinds of films.

Commercially, Deepika Padukone proved her worth with Cocktail. Although the film was definitely not worth the watch but Veronica (Deepika Padukone's character) was perfect as the spoilt, lonely, happy-go-lucky jealous girl. Anushka Sharma and Priyanka Chopra again are two ladies who are doing commendable jobs in their own body of works.

However, being a women it is mostly understandable as jealousy comes easy to us (not stereotyping but that is the way we were engineered). However, it is common among peers but for juniors, it is really uncalled for. I just wished Kajol had shown a little more class and sophistication by appreciating good work, while stating the fact that she is good. No one can deny that she is versatile and can pull off a Gupt with elan as she can do a Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge with equal ease. Lastly, being an ardent fan, I just hope, that most of what she said was in half-jest and that she was just kidding!