Kajol

Kajol, born Kajol Mukherjee on August 5, 1974, is a highly acclaimed Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi cinema. Celebrated for her natural performing style and wide range, she established herself as one of the prominent leading figures of Indian film during the 1990s. Over the course of her career, she has received numerous accolades, including seven Filmfare Awards, and was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2011.

Born in Mumbai to actress Tanuja and film director Shomu Mukherjee, Kajol comes from an extensive family background rooted in the Hindi film industry. Following the separation of her parents during her youth, she was raised largely by her maternal grandmother, who helped instill in her a sense of self-reliance. She attended St. Joseph's Convent School in Panchgani, where she enjoyed reading fiction and taking part in dance activities, before eventually leaving her formal education to pursue acting full-time.

Kajol made her acting debut at age 17 in the 1992 romantic drama Bekhudi. Although her first project was a commercial failure, her performance attracted positive attention, leading to her casting in the popular 1993 crime thriller Baazigar. Her performance in the 1994 romantic drama Yeh Dillagi served as a professional breakthrough and earned her a first Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress. She reached broader stardom in 1995 through major commercial hits, including the action film Karan Arjun and the landmark romantic feature Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, which secured her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

Throughout the late 1990s, Kajol expanded her repertoire across diverse roles. She became the first female recipient of the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role for her portrayal of a psychopathic killer in the 1997 thriller Gupt: The Hidden Truth. She earned further critical notice for playing dual roles in the revenge drama Dushman, and achieved major box-office successes in 1998 with features like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, winning a second Filmfare Best Actress trophy for the latter.

After her marriage to actor Ajay Devgn in 1999, Kajol gradually decreased her film workload to take on selective projects. She earned three additional Filmfare Best Actress awards for her performances in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Fanaa, and My Name Is Khan. Her major releases in subsequent years include the comedy Dilwale and the historical drama Tanhaji, along with appearances in streaming titles such as Tribhanga, The Trial, and Do Patti. Outside of feature films, she holds a managerial role at Devgn Entertainment and Software Ltd, has served as a television talent judge, and engages in charitable efforts supporting children and widows.