Kajol on Why Authenticity Matters More Than Being an Icon

Kajol (@kajol) continues to turn heads—whether on a set, on a cover, or simply walking into a room. The actor talks about loving her age, the icon in her life, work-life balance, and her beauty ideals. And when I ask what the word “icon” means to her, she answers without hesitation: “Someone original who retains their authenticity. My mother is 82 today, and she’s my icon. I hope to be like her.” Editor and Interview: Rasna Bhasin (@rasnabhasin) Digital Editor: Sonal Ved (@sonalved) Creative Video Direction & Editing: Pranav Goswamy (@pranavgoswamy) DOP: Nirvair Singh Rai (@nirvairrai) Stylist: Ruhani Singh (@ruhani_s) Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia) Make-up Artist: Sandhya Shekar (@sandhyashekar) Hair Artist: Mitesh Rajani (@miteshrajani) Set Design: Janhavi Patwardhan (@artnut_j) Photographer Assistant: Sumaiya Sayed (@sumaiapapaia) Hair Artist Assistant: Rishita Hindocha (@rishita.hindocha) Fashion Assistant: Preeti Venkatesh (@mogra.and.the.moon) Artist PR Agency: Tree-Shul Media Solutions (@treeshulmediasolutions) Look 1: A shirt and jacket; Gucci (@gucci) Look 2: A solana silk ombre dress, Ituvana (@ituvana); earrings, Amrapali Jewels (@amrapalijewels); footwear, Jimmy Choo (@jimmychoo) Look 3: Corset waistcoat, That Antiquepiece (@that.antiquepiece); jacket, Chanel (@chanelofficial); trousers, Kanika Goyal Label (@kanikagoyallabel); jewellery, Antara Jewellery X Jet Gems (@antara_m) (@jet_gems) Look 4: Shirt by Raw Mango (@raw_mango); earr