Licence to Mom

Kajol recently was seen in the supernatural horror Maa and was praised for her acting. She answers Suman Sharma's question about what motherhood, career and womanhood means to her

- Suman Sharma

We've grown up watching Kajol light up the screen. And somehow, she never fails to impress, or surprise. Whether it's with her fearless choices, that signature laugh, or just the honesty she brings to every role, she's always kept us on our toes. Off screen, she's been just as real, a hands-on mom through and through. Her children, Nysa and Yug, have been raised with care and intention, and she beams with pride whenever she speaks of them.Now, never one to play by the rulebook, Kajol dives headfirst into the world of horror with Maa. It's a genre she hadn't explored before, but she clearly relished the experience of playing a protective mother battling supernatural forces to save her daughter. She's all in when it comes to work, but the conversation soon turns to family, the balancing act of being a working mum, and the importance of looking after oneself. Excerpts from a heart-to-heart interview.

Have you always been interested in mythology?

Oh, absolutely. I'm a huge mythology buff. As a child, I devoured everything from Chandamama to Amar Chitra Katha. I've always been a staunch believer in the Goddess, her presence is like a guiding hand through life. So when this story came to me, I was instantly drawn in. It's one of my favourite tales, of Kali Maa and Raktabeej. I was genuinely thrilled. It just felt right. I knew I had to be part of it. We developed the script as a tight, compact thriller, but by the time we reached the climax, we realised it needed more than just a clean ending. It needed that punch, that dramatic, horror-tinged high, to land with real power.

Horror is new to you. Was shooting it fun?