Birthday Special: The necessity to root for Kajol

Kajol Picture Courtesy/AFP

Kajol celebrates her birthday today on August 5. With Rahul Rawail's 'Bekhudi' in 1992, a promising career was born. The blockbuster 'Baazigar' in 1993 and 'Karan Arjun' in 1995 were the Khan show reels- Shah Rukh and Salman. In the same year, cinematic history was made in the form of Aditya Chopra's iconic directorial debut 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'.

Ever since then, the actress has shone in nearly all her characters even in comparatively lesser sparkling films, but the one common thread is the necessity to root for her characters, especially in the climax. It's almost inevitable, or is it just accidental? Let's start with this romantic juggernaut:

'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' - The Run

Amrish Puri mellows, softens, but the big, bulging eyes stay intact, marvelled at a man's passion for his daughter. Societal disdain doesn't bother him anymore, the clutches of patriarchy are on the brink of being broken, and when they do, Simran runs towards a speeding train that has a bleeding, battered Raj waiting for the moment that would go on to redefine climatic unions of celluloid lovers. Memes to follow later. Whatever, history was made.

Gupt (1997)- The Reveal

Rajiv Rai's solid whodunnit is about a killer on the loose, remorselessly murdering ageing men accompanied by a spine-chilling score. Rai shoots just the shoes, the blue jeans, and that knife that belongs to a set discovered by investigating officer Om Puri few reels later. More than the aforementioned romance, this thriller defines Kajol's ability to make any film and character her own. The intent behind was pure love, but 'Kajol is the killer' couldn't have given her character a happy ending. Poor Bobby Deol!

Dushman (1998)- The Courage

'Dushman' isn't an easy watch today, it wasn't an easy watch back when it came out. A psychotic postman (A riveting Ashutosh Rana) brutally murders women after physically assaulting and mauling them. The actress, who plays a double role, loses her twin sister and is driven by rage and revenge. She succumbs to her fragility in the climax but gathers the courage to pick up the gun and shoot the perpetrator. Despite being discomforted by the hideousness on display, one is bound to laud.

Fanaa (2006)- The Conflict

'Fanaa' shows Kajol as a blind girl who falls in love with a flamboyant tour guide who later turns out to be a terrorist. She later gets treated and the eyes are restored. She's horrified and heartbroken when she discovers her lover's true identity. In the end, she finds herself in a conflict, but she closes her eyes and shoots him as he proceeds towards his mission. The conflict here is whether to root or not. Because she was saving the nation, we say yes. Kajol reached there before Akshay Kumar and John Abraham did.

My Name Is Khan (2010)- The Forgiveness

Here, Kajol is a single mother with a son. Enters Rizwan Khan, played by Shah Rukh Khan. The film tackles the repercussions of being a Muslim. Kajol's son pays the price for Rizwan's religion. What the mother says out of fury is taken upon by the man to heart. His journey is as crucial for him as it is for Kajol. She finally forgives him, again for love. No film of Karan Johar can be made without love.

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