‘EVERY ACTOR’S JOURNEY IS DIFFERENT’
Actor Kajol talks about her craft; says everyone should do a film at least once
Over the years, Kajol has been lauded for her nuanced performances and sheer acting ability. Does she have a method that she follows as an actor? She says, “There is a method, but I don’t think that method can be taught. It can only be learnt with experience. It is something that you learn, at least I learned it, through trial and error. Everyone has their own method and way of going about it. It is an individual process. Everybody’s spiritual journey isn’t the same, and that’s exactly what I feel an actor’s journey is like. Every actor’s journey is different.”
Kajol is of the opinion that everyone should do at least one film in their life to understand acting and how it helps one shed inhibitions. She says, “I remember, during my first film Bekhudi (1992), I found it (acting) a very liberating experience to stand in front of 50-60 people and cry, scream and just let go. We have so many barriers in our heads that we have built up from childhood. So, when you are performing, there is a certain wall that falls away; there is certain freedom and ease that comes to you after you’ve finished.”
The actor adds that acting helps her feel cathartic. “It’s like you are redefining your pre-conceived notions about yourself as a person; I am not even talking about it as an actor. I love the fact that I’ve faced a lot of situations that probably have never happened in my life. But I have a great imagination that helps me portray such events on the screen. You have to live that particular moment that you may not have to otherwise,” she explains.
Talking about the changing working patterns in the industry, Kajol says, “It’s only for the betterment, but unlike earlier, there are many more steps [that you have to take] to become an actor. Earlier, if your film did well, you became a star, and if it didn’t, you were not a star. Now, it’s all beyond that. So, it’s more about branding. However, that helps people on an individual level. I think everybody is building their own brand for their benefit.”
Elaborating on the changing times in the industry, the actor feels it’s great that makers are collaborating internationally and geographical boundaries are also blurring. “We are losing boundaries between all kinds of cinema. We have English films that are doing well here (in India), and we even have Marathi films that are doing well. The tag of regional cinema is slowly being wiped out. So it’s all for the good,” she says.
Actors, these days, complain about extensive promotions of their films
I know a lot of people enjoy being on social media and engage with others on daily basis without a second thought, but I am not one of them. KAJOL, ACTOR
but Kajol says it’s a part of the job now. “There are pros and cons to it. It may be a pain, but we have to deal with it. We are going to complain about it, but we will have to deal with it with a smile on our faces. (laughs)”
The actor is active on social media, especially on Twitter, but she isn’t one to get addicted to the medium. “I enjoy certain parts of social media; not all of it. Sometimes, it feels like a burden and a responsibility to me. I know a lot of people enjoy being on social media and engage with others on daily basis without a second thought, but I am not one of them,” says the actor.