Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's friendship began on the set of ‘Baazigar.’ Kajol's first impression of Shah Rukh was that he was grumpy and unfriendly, but over time, their remarkable friendship became a legendary example in Bollywood.
Shah Rukh and Kajol: If any pair has truly captured the magic of romance and friendship on the Bollywood silver screen, it's Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Their chemistry in films like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,’ ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,’ and ‘My Name Is Khan’ has left an indelible mark on the hearts of audiences. But did you know that this iconic pairing began with a rather frosty encounter?
Kajol recently revealed in an interview that when she first met Shah Rukh Khan on the set of the 1993 blockbuster ‘Baazigar,’ she found him grumpy, rude, and unfriendly. She mentioned that initially, their interaction and bonding were almost non-existent.
The ‘Baazigar’ Shoot and the First Day
In an interview with Radio Nasha, Kajol shared that she was only 17 years old at the time, and the shooting of ‘Baazigar’ was on January 1st, New Year's Day. While staying away from New Year's parties was usual for her, most of the people on set were still recovering from the previous night's celebrations.
Kajol said,
'I was very talkative and chatting with everyone on the set. My voice carried even without a microphone. I then said to the cameraman, 'Ravi Dada, what a grumpy actor you have?'
Shah Rukh was silently reading the script in a corner, wearing his glasses. He neither heard nor reacted. Seeing this, Kajol thought that perhaps he was a reserved person.
When Shah Rukh Told Kajol, 'Be Quiet'
Kajol jokingly added that she decided to initiate a conversation with Shah Rukh. When she approached him and tried to be friendly, Shah Rukh responded:
'Can you please be quiet for a minute? Someone please make her quiet.'
Kajol was surprised and upset by this reaction. She thought, 'I came to be friends, and he's so rude and unfriendly.' At that moment, Kajol felt that Shah Rukh didn't want to talk to her and was very unfriendly.
A Slowly Evolving Bond
Despite this inauspicious beginning, during the shooting of ‘Baazigar,’ their conversations increased, eventually developing into a deep friendship. Kajol said that seeing Shah Rukh's hard work, honesty, and professionalism, she gradually came to understand him.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh was also charmed by Kajol's uninhibited and genuine nature. This chemistry later blossomed fully in films like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ and ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.’
Dating Rumors and the Truth
In an old interview, when Shah Rukh and Kajol were asked if they would have dated each other if they were both single, Kajol responded:
'I don't think that would have been possible, because I started dating Ajay (Devgn) within six months of shooting my first film with Shah Rukh.'
On the other hand, Shah Rukh was already dating Gauri Khan even before she moved to Mumbai. He said, 'We both already had someone special in our lives, so anything beyond friendship was never possible.'
Professionalism Forged a Special Relationship
The bond between Kajol and Shah Rukh extends beyond their on-screen chemistry. They have repeatedly stood by each other in their careers, setting an example of true friendship. Shah Rukh has often called Kajol his best female co-star, while Kajol considers him a true friend.
The greatest testament to their friendship is that even today, whenever this pair appears together on screen, the innocence and depth of the 90s still feel vibrant.
