Kajol Devgan (née Mukherjee) (born 5 August 1974),[1] known mononymously as Kajol, is an Indian film actress who predominantly works in Hindi cinema. Born into the Mukherjee-Samarth family, she is the daughter of actress Tanuja and late filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee. Through her Bollywood career, Kajol has established herself as one of the most popular actresses in India. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including six Filmfare Awards, among twelve nominations, and along with her late aunt Nutan, holds the record for most Best Actress wins at Filmfare, with five.[2] In 2011, the Government of India awarded her with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour of the country.
Kajol made her acting debut with the unsuccessful romantic drama Bekhudi (1992), while still in school. She quit her studies to pursue acting, and had her first commercial successes with the thriller Baazigar (1993). She subsequently rose to prominence by playing the lead female role in several romantic dramas, including Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001). Kajol also garnered critical acclaim for playing against type in the 1997 mystery film Gupt: The Hidden Truth and the 1998 psychological thriller Dushman. Following a sabbatical from full-time acting in 2001, Kajol returned to films with the 2006 romantic thriller Fanaa, and continued working infrequently thereafter, playing leading roles in the dramas U Me Aur Hum (2008), My Name Is Khan (2010), We Are Family (2010), and the comedy-drama Dilwale (2015). She, thus, established herself as one of India's most successful actresses.[3][4]
In addition to acting in films, Kajol is a social activist and is noted for her work with widows and children, for which she received the Karmaveer Puraskaar in 2008. She has featured as a talent judge for Zee TV's reality show, Rock-N-Roll Family and holds a managerial position at Devgn Entertainment and Software Ltd. Kajol has been married to actor Ajay Devgan since 1999 with whom she has two children.
