“I don’t think anyone can predict what people will think once they see the promos. I can just hope that our work is appreciated and hope for the best,” says Kajol, about the promos of U, Me Aur Hum .
The actress has already known Ajay as a co-star and a husband, but now she’s seen him as a director as well. So how’s he in all these capacities? “He’s superb as a co-star because he’s superbly punctual,” she says. Her eyes twinkle as she says, “As a husband, I’m a lucky girl and I know it,” and adds quickly with a laugh, “And he’s very lucky too!” But it is as a director that Kajol feels her husband has found his niche.
“I think he was born to it. He’s always wanted to be a director, even before becoming an actor. He’s one of the best directors I have ever worked with.” But ask her if people might say that she got the role because it is her husband’s film and she pooh-poohs the suggestion. “It would never occur to him to compromise on the film by taking me in something that would not suit me.”
Enough has already been written about how Ajay and Shah Rukh Khan are not on good terms and that Ajay has even stopped her from working with him. Kajol seems fed up of replying to this rumour and retorts, “There’s nothing like that. Ajay and I are an anti-social couple. There’s so much going on at home that we don’t find the time to go out and meet anybody. As for Ajay and Shah Rukh, there is zilch interaction between them, so how can there be any enmity or friendship? Just because they’re not on back slapping terms or call each other every day does not mean they are enemies. And as far as work is concerned, Ajay has never ever influenced me. We don’t operate like that.”
So can the audience hope to see the magic again between SRK and her? “He’s a sweetheart! It’s so comfortable to work with him,” she says. But has no one come to her with a script that brings the two together? “It’s so difficult to get him to choose a script, then it’s super difficult to get me to choose a script. People must be thinking ‘Oh my God! I can just handle one difficult person at a time!’” she laughs, but adds on a serious note, “I really wish something works out.”
Does she ever feel the pressure of living up to the audience’s expectations? “If I start doing that, then it would be like setting myself up for a nervous breakdown,” she exclaims. “I have never considered others’ expectations because my own expectations from myself are so high! I’m my biggest critic. I always find myself lacking, but with experience, you learn that this was the best you could do in that situation. So you accept that and try to do better.”
Today, Kajol feels she is a content person. “I thank God for what I have. I’m really blessed. I go to a temple and I really have nothing to ask for because I have everything I want. I tell Ajay that if I die today, I will die happy because I feel I’ve achieved whatever I wanted to achieve.”
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