Kajol’s complete style evolution

Born to veteran actress Tanuja and filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, Bollywood was a natural career choice for Kajol. For a journey that began in 1992, the 45-year-old star has come a long way. Here, we take a look back at Kajol’s sartorial choices through the years to decode her style evolution.

Filmography

At just 17, Kajol made her Bollywood debut with the romantic drama Bekhudi, alongside debutante Kamal Sadanah and her mother Tanuja. While her debut didn’t receive box office success, the actress rose to prominence the next year with the Abbas-Mustan thriller Baazigar (1993). The hit movie was also her first (of the many) collaborations with Shah Rukh Khan. Kajol’s 1994 release, Yeh Dillagi, opposite Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, further cemented her star status, and also fetched her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for the Best Actress in a Lead Role the next year. 1995 was a good time for Kajol, with films like Rakesh Roshan’s Karan Arjun and Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge—both opposite Khan—winning her the title of a Bollywood icon. The latter film was not only the biggest commercial success of the year, but is also one of the most successful films of all time in India—almost 25 years later, it’s still playing at Maratha Mandir in Mumbai. Her versatility as an actor shone through her portrayal of Isha Diwan, a psychopath serial killer in Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997).

Over the year, with several hits and misses, Kajol bagged another cult-status feature, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998. After tying the knot with actor Ajay Devgn in 1999, she essayed a variety of roles, including a lead in the Karan Johar’s 2001 blockbuster, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The star took a sabbatical after this film, and returned in 2006 with Fanaa, opposite Aamir Khan. This was the first time she starred opposite the Dangal actor in her decade-long career—she only shared screen space with him earlier in Ishq (1997). More recently, Kajol has been making regular features on the silver screen with titles like My Name Is Khan (2010), Dilwale (2015), and most recently, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020).

Style files

More often than not, Kajol’s wardrobe has favoured earthy, muted hues and steered clear of OTT embellishments. Starting from a staple of Manish Malhotra saris and anarkalis between 2010 and 2011, the star’s wardrobe has truly evolved. 2012 saw the actor trying her hand at a variety of silhouettes, from an Ayesha Depala gown at the Vogue Beauty Awards to a Prabal Gurung dress and a Dev R Nil maxi, all in varying shades of mocha. In 2013, the actor discovered Shehla Khan’s pastel saris and Anushka Khanna’s boho dresses, and there has been no looking back since. It's not just the silhouettes she experimented with, the colours in her wardrobe took a brighter, whimsical turn too. Case in point: the printed parrot green Intermix dress she stepped out wearing in 2013. In the following years, fans saw her switching between moody palettes and romantic prints. Some of her highlights include her colour-blocked oxblood and navy sari, that statement-making black gown she wore during the promotional rounds of Dilwale, a floral bodycon dress by Geisha Designs by Paras & Shalini and her ivory pantsuit by Shehla Khan.

Come 2018, Kajol served her experimental best, between promoting the animated movie, Incredibles 2 (which she lent her voice to) and Helicopter Eela. Her mustard Shahin Mannan gown and that peach Nishka Lulla jumpsuit from the promotional rounds deserve a special mention, as does the sequinned Prabal Gurung dress she wore to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Though she didn’t shy away from switching her looks up in her ethnic wardrobe either, she often sought refuge in one of her favourite silhouettes—the classic sari. From the grey Manish Malhotra drape she wore to Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s reception to her Benarasi yellow number by Swati & Sunaina or her traditional white and red sari for Durga puja, Kajol pulled off every iteration of the six yard staple with ease.

These days, Kajol juggles bright hues and muted tones effortlessly—some of her best looks from 2019 include a vintage-style maroon sari for the promotions of Tanhaji, and a bright yellow gown at Filmfare Awards. The star has has also made a case for reusing accessories—her monochrome bag has been a trusty favourite for almost all of her outings, whether she’s running errands or catching a flight.

Scroll ahead for a closer look at Kajol’s style evolution over the years.