Kajol reveals her 'We Are Family' doubts

One of Bollywood's finest actresses, Kajol says she was not keen to do 'We Are Family' because it had a first-time director. She also believes being a mother in real life made a difference to her body language in the film where she is shown to have three children.

"Definitely. I think you always have doubts while working with first-time directors and it's very sensible to do that," Kajol, 35, said about her latest film helmed by Siddharth Malhotra.

"I don't think you should have complete confidence in first-ime directors, you have to depend on yourself as well," said Kajol who had many years ago teamed up with Aditya Chopra in his directorial debut 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' that went on to be a huge hit.

Now that 'We Are Family' is ready for release, she is quite positive about the film, a Hindi adaptation of the Hollywood comedy-drama 'Stepmom'.

"Lots of films can't be remade. If there is a magic in a film, that cannot be rejuvenated. But there are some films that can. I think 'Stepmom' is one of those. We couldn't have done this in English. If we have tried to do it in English, it would have flopped miserably," Kajol said.

"Since we are doing it in a different language, we had to change the script and make it more Indian. I personally think it's a different film from what 'Stepmom' originally is. When you watch the film, the premise of the film remains the same, but there is so much else there that I hope you come back with the feeling that it's a different film altogether."

Though it was her best pal, director-producer Karan Johar's production, Kajol really didn't want to do a film soon after 'My Name Is Khan'.

"I was not interested in doing a film at that point of time. I didn't want to sign anything. I was really tired doing 'My Name...'. I didn't want to hear the script. I wanted to chill and take a break for at least three months. When they insisted, I heard the script and I really liked it," said Kajol.

'We Are Family' is different from what Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon played in 'Stepmom', she says.

"I had seen 'Stepmom' very, very long back. I didn't watch it before doing the film because I didn't want it to influence me and I really think Maya is a very, very different character from what Susan Sarandon played," said Kajol.

Kajol has a daughter in real life and is expecting her second child. She feels being a mother in real life makes a huge difference as far as the body language is concerned.

"When you become a mother and you are raising your daughter, there is something about a mother's voice that you get. God gives it to you. Most children respond to it and I think it comes instinctively.

"I think even in the film where your body language is concerned, I feel it makes a difference. I won't say you take it from normal life, it's just an instinctive part of taking care of a child or being very hands on over there," she said.

She played mother to a boy in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'My Name is Khan'.

"Handling three children was more difficult - no two ways about it. That kid in 'My Name...' was very good and he was much older actually. Here, Diya (Sonecha) was five, Nomi (Nominath Ginsberg) was seven and Aachal (Munjal) was 12; so this was a complete range of children. But they were very sweet and enthusiastic," said Kajol.

Asked if her work distracted her from enjoying her pregnancy, she said: "I don't think that anything can distract you from being pregnant. You know that you are pregnant and 24x7 nothing can take that fact away from you and nothing can distract you from it.

"But, yes, it's nice working. It's good to know that I can still work. I was very, very nervous the first time around, but this time I am very comfortable and I know what to expect. So it's much easier to handle it," said Kajol.

She rules out any possibility of being a director ever.

"Not really, I am a reader. I like to read more than anything. My definition of a producer and director is they are the ones who get paid to have an ulcer in the stomach," said Kajol.

"Karan is more than a brother"

Kajol doesn't believe in rakhi as she feels "bonds are made from the heart". And the actress says filmmaker Karan Johar is more than a brother to her.

"The definition of a friend is somebody you choose and not somebody you are born with really. I think Karan is my friend for centuries and generations and lifetimes I feel. I always felt that connection with him. He is more than a brother. It's a unique fantastic friendship that I am very grateful to have in my life," Kajol said.

Kajol has played the lead actress in three of the four films Karan has directed - 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' (1998), 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' (2001) and 'My Name Is Khan' (2010).

The actress will be seen playing a key role in Karan's next production 'We Are Family' as well.

While Kajol doesn't believe in rakhi, the festival that symbolises the affection and love between brothers and sisters, she encourages her seven-year-old daughter Nysa to tie rakhis (decorative threads) on her cousins' wrists.

"I don't believe in rakhi. I believe that bonds are made from the heart...Yes rakhi is a great way to reaffirm that but I don't think that if you don't have a rakhi, it makes you any less of a friend...less of a relationship," said Kajol.

The actress, who is expecting her second child with actor husband Ajay Devgn in October, doesn't have a brother but will celebrate the festival of rakhi with a get-together at home.

"I don't have any brothers. Yes, my whole family is going to get together. My daughter has seven cousin brothers and they are all coming over and I think we are going to have a little bit of a party," said Kajol.

The devastating 'We Are Family' moment

Filming the Indian version of Elvis Presley's track ‘Jailhouse Rock’ in the forthcoming film ‘We Are Family’ was more like a nightmare for the crew and director Siddharth Malhotra describes it as the most devastating moment of the shooting.

Releasing September 3, the film starring Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal is the Indian version of the Hollywood hit ‘Stepmom’.

Earlier, producer Karan Johar had obtained the rights to the song ‘Pretty Woman’ for ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ fairly easily. This time too getting the original copyright holders of ‘Jailhouse Rock’ to say yes was easy enough.

The nightmare began later.

Apparently just days before filming, the official contract arrived from the US. To their horror, Karan and director Siddharth discovered that they were not allowed to use any image, visuals, dance steps or even the words associated with the original Elvis song!

At that late juncture everything from the dance steps, to the set to the lyrics had to be changed and the Elvis' classic song ‘Jailhouse Rock’ was titled ‘Dil khol ke let's rock’.

"The contract arrived just days before shooting. We got to know that we couldn't use anything to do with Elvis. We had everything ready, the set, the costumes, the songs and words... Most importantly we had images of Elvis splashed all over and we had incorporated the words from 'Jailhouse Rock' into the track. All that had to be scrapped."

For a while Karan and Siddharth contemplated scrapping the song altogether.

"What is the point of a tribute to Elvis when we couldn't use his face, his dance steps, even his images as props on the sets? We couldn't even replicate any of the lyrics from the original and had to rewrite the words on the spot. So what could we use?

"It was the most devastating moment of the shooting. First, Kajol was three months pregnant and we had to change all her steps. Then we had to change everything because we hadn't read the contract."

Matters got worse when the little girl playing Kajol's younger daughter suddenly fell sick with chickenpox.

"We had to rewrite the scene explaining her absence in the song. It was a nightmare. And one we'd never like to go through again," said Malhotra.

‘We Are Family’ releasing dates changed

Dharma Productions’ ‘We Are Family’ has announced a change of plans in its releasing dates.

Earlier, the film was planned for September 3rd release. Now according to the production statement, the film will be released a day ahead, that is, on Sept 2nd instead. That’s because Janamashtami falls on Sept 2nd and it’s a day when most parts of India will have a holiday. This in turn will be favourable for the film in terms of extended weekend footfalls.

Produced by Karan Johar and directed by debutant Siddharth Malhotra, ‘We Are Family’ stars Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal in the lead. The film is an official remake of Susan Sarandon-Julia Roberts starrer Hollywood flick ‘Stepmom’.

Kajol & Kareena Kapoor on Filmfare Magazine

Kajol takes credit for Ajay's success

Kajol has just celebrated her birthday and her husband Ajay Devgn has just had a big success in 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai', and the actress says she can take some credit for her husband's success.

"Don't you think I've trained him very well?" her voice sparkles with mischief, pride and pleasure when told that she has a hand in Devgn's makeover.

"Seriously, it does make a difference whom you are married to. The influence in a marriage works both ways. I credit my husband with a lot of what has happened in my career. And I take some credit for his success. He won't mind," said Kajol, who turned 35 Aug 5.

"The celebrations in my family started much before my birthday. When Ajay and the team of 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai' saw the collections for the first three days, they were jumping with joy."

And then she spent her birthday with the people who matter the most to her.

"I like my family. I like being with them. Unlike most people I've no issues with my family. My mother (actress Tanuja) and sister (Tanisha) came over for my birthday. We had lunch and a pooja. That was it," she said.

About to be mom all over again, Kajol admits working on 'We Are Family' after her pregnancy did impede her as an actress.

"It was just that one last song 'Jailhouse Rock' where I was pregnant. They were very considerate. They changed the steps for me. Earlier, there was quite a lot of jumping and hopping in my steps which I told them I couldn't do. It was very sweet of them to comply."

She agrees that the roles doing justice to her presence are not that frequent.

"At the end of the day it's all about how much justice you do to what's given to you. I need a good producer and a director, like Karan Johar. A film works only when everyone gives his or her best."

Kajol, Ajay have a baby boy

Kajol gave birth to a baby boy early today (September 13) seven years after her daughter Nysa was born.

Kajol and Ajay Devgn got married in 1999.

Kajol, who recently featured as a doting mother in Karan Johar's 'We Are Family', gave birth to the child at 9.20am at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, a source close to the couple said.

And the wishes started pouring in from Kajol and Ajay's B'wood buddies instantly.

Shah Rukh Khan posted on his Twitter page: Bringing life on earth is the most beautiful gift of God. Allah bless Ajay & Kajol with happiness & health. Son of a devgun wow masha allah.

Priyanka Chopra said: It's amazing when a new life comes into the world.. Congrats Ajay and kajol on the birth of ur baby boy.."

Arshad Warsi added: "God bless the little rock star that has come into the lives of Ajay n Kajol, love the Devgan family..."

Riteish Deshmukh wrote: Congratulations to Ajay and Kajol. A baby boy arrives!"

Ajay posted later on his Twitter page, "Thanks everyone for ur blessings and good wishes. I have conveyd d same to my family."

Does Kajol want a boy or a girl?

The mom-to-be gets talking about family matters

Kajol, who is expecting her second child, is not praying for a son. She says she is equally enthused by the idea of having another girl child in her family.

The actress has a daughter with actor husband Ajay Devgn.

"I'm just hoping for a healthy happy baby and a healthy happy momma to look after the baby. I have a wonderful daughter. How can I say no to another girl just like her? I don't believe I need a son to complete my family. My sister Tanissha and I made quite a complete family," said Kajol.

The 35-year-old, who made her debut with 'Bekhudi' in 1992, gave hits like 'Gupt' (1996) and 'Dushman' (1998). She teamed up with her husband in box office successes like 'Ishq' and 'Pyaar To Hona Hi Thaa'. But her maximum hits were with Shah Rukh Khan that includes blockbusters like 'Baazigar'(1993), 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (1995), 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' (1998) and 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' (2001).

For those who are hoping to see more of Kajol on screen after she becomes a mother a second time, there's disappointment in store. Kajol doesn't intend to increase her volume of work after motherhood.

"I've worked a lot. I enjoy doing just one-two films a year. I don't think I want to do more than that. I'm happy with my pace of work. If I do too many films people would get bored of me."

This year she was seen in 'My Name Is Khan' and her next 'We Are Family' is scheduled for a September release and she will also be seen with her husband in 'Toonpoor Ka Super Hero'.

Any plan of a comeback after motherhood?

"It all depends on how I feel after I have my baby. I refuse to take a decision here and now. It's my prerogative to do what I like. I firmly believe women should have babies when they can take care of them. As simple as that.

"I want my baby to arrive and I want to watch him or her grow. I took time to have a second baby because I wanted to have the time to give myself fully to motherhood. I refuse to miss out on the joy of watching my child grow for anything in the world," said the actress.

Kajol defies doctor's orders; watches 'We Are Family' in theatre

By now it is an established fact that Kajol goes out of her way for friends. To no one's surprise, she defied doctor's orders on Friday and braved it to a suburban theatre to watch We Are Family because she had promised her friends producer Karan Johar and director Siddharth that she would.

Says the emotional director, "That's Kajol for you. A true friend. She's going to be a mother and she's a month away from delivery. She wouldn't have done this under normal circumstances."

Doctors have advised Kajol to avoid all strenuous activity. And apparently, husband Ajay Devgn has been going out of his way to ensure Kajol moves out of the home as little possible.

But Kajol being Kajol, she went where her heart took her.

Says Siddharth, "I was on tenterhooks until Kajol saw the film. I knew she would be brutally honest in her opinion. When she said she loved the film and that we had got on screen what we had set out to make I was relieved."

'We Are Family' earns Rs.27 million

Kajol and Kareena Kapoor starrer 'We Are Family', which opened to mixed reviews, has grossed about Rs.27 million (Rs.2.7 crore) from its paid previews.

Produced by Karan Johar, the movie had a limited festival release on Janmashtami (September 2) with paid previews - a day before the formal release on September 3.

Distributed by UTV Motion Pictures, 'We Are Family' is the Hindi adaptation of the Julia Roberts-Susan Sarandon starrer 'Stepmom'.

It also stars Arjun Rampal and child actors Aanchal Munjal, Nominath Ginsburg and Diya Sonecha.

Box Office: 'We Are Family' collects Rs. 2.75 cr. on Thursday

WE ARE FAMILY lived up to its title by attracting families in good numbers! Instead of having a wide release on Thursday [2nd September] due to Janmashtami, Karan Johar and UTV decided to open the film in limited shows [3-4-5 shows] at limited centres [main multiplexes] and the response was excellent. The film collected approx. Rs. 2.75 cr. nett on Thursday, making it the second highest opening in limited preview shows.

The word of mouth amongst the target audience of the film, namely women and family audiences, is wonderful and the Friday evening occupancy as well as Saturday and Sunday numbers are expected to be very strong.

MOVIE REVIEW: We Are Family

Okay, WE ARE FAMILY is the official adaptation of Chris Columbus' STEPMOM [1998] and lots of us have already watched this Julia Roberts - Susan Sarandon starrer. Even otherwise, the story of a woman, diagnosed with a terminal illness, entrusting her kids to the 'other woman' before she does the final salute, gives the feeling of deja vu. But WE ARE FAMILY is not a tear-jerker. Sure, it has dollops of emotions, but also integrates the light moments wonderfully in those 12 reels.

In the good old days, in the 1960s and 1970s specifically, well-made family films struck an instant chord with viewers across the spectrum. But with the changing times, the quantum of well-made socials made a rapid decline. WE ARE FAMILY belongs to the Rajshri gharaana and tells the story of a family facing two life-changing developments: The woman of the house is diagnosed with a terminal illness and two, there's a stepmom on the scene. A difficult subject to handle, without doubt.

But debutant director Siddharth P. Malhotra surprises you constantly. Casting the best available talent for two pivotal parts and doing complete justice to their roles is tough. Very tough. But the ease with which he handles the tense moments between the women and also the emotional finale shows he has learnt his lessons well from his peers.

Final word? WE ARE FAMILY is for the family. It is well acted, deftly written, entertaining and broadly appealing drama. Watch it with someone you love!

Maya [Kajol] is the perfect mother. Her life revolves around her three children, Aleya [Aanchal Munjal], Ankush [Nominath Ginsberg] and Anjali [Diya Sonecha]. Despite being divorced from her husband Aman [Arjun Rampal], Maya has ensured that everything runs smoothly in her house, under her watch, and that they continue to remain a happy family unit.

When Aman introduces his girlfriend, Shreya [Kareena Kapoor], a career-oriented woman, the situation takes an unexpected turn. However, Maya is diagnosed with a terminal illness and circumstances bring the two women under the same roof. Can two mothers make a home?

With a plot like this, you expect WE ARE FAMILY to be an out-and-out serious outing. However, the film has its serious moments, but the director ensures that it doesn't come across as a gloomy and serious fare. In fact, the generous dose of light moments in the narrative keeps the drama fluid. There's an inherent sensitivity that the director brings in, which keeps you involved for most parts.

On the flip side, the film tends to stagnate in the middle of the second hour. One expects the story to move forward, but there's not much movement here [thankfully, the film picks up wonderfully towards the penultimate reels]. Also, the music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is a complete letdown. You feel it all the more because Dharma is synonymous with excellent music. The only redeeming track in the enterprise is 'Let's Rock', which is high on energy. S-E-L need to reinvent themselves by experimenting a little more.

Director Siddharth P. Malhotra handles the dramatic portions best. The tense moments between Kajol and Kareena, the confrontation between the two and also the cold stares that they exchange time and again have been captured very well. The gradual transformation in Kajol's looks, from striking and energetic to pale and morose, is also well projected. The finale is the best part of the enterprise and can be best described in one word: Outstanding. However, like I pointed out earlier, the writing could've been tighter towards the second hour.

Mohanan's cinematography is eye-catching and the locales of Australia only enhance the look of the film. Niranjan Iyengar's dialogue are decent at places, but a few lines are amazingly real. The background score [Raju Singh] is first-rate.

WE ARE FAMILY gives the two popular actresses an opportunity to sink their teeth into strongly drawn, juicy, challenging and interesting female roles that move beyond the normal stereotypes. The scene stealer is, without doubt, Kajol. She expresses the gamut of emotions brilliantly and speaks a million words even when silent. This is yet another incredible performance from an actor par excellence. Kareena excels yet again and her sequences with the kids are a delight. In fact, casting Kareena as the stepmom is just right, since she's the only actor who can stand up to Kajol in high-voltage scenes and that's because Kareena is a powerful actor herself. Arjun continues to surprise. ROCK ON, HOUSE FULL, RAAJNEETI and now WE ARE FAMILY indicates the growth of this actor. He handles the emotional moments well too. The kids - all three of them - are superb. In fact, the casting of the kids [done by Shanoo Sharma] is an ace.

On the whole, WE ARE FAMILY is a perfect family film with a good mix of emotions and humour. Plus, a brilliant climax, which will ensure that the film grows with a strong word of mouth. The last film which came close to being a family outing was PAA. Before that, the only quintessential family film was BAGHBAN. WE ARE FAMILY is the kind of film that should work instantly with ladies and when ladies watch such films, they bring their spouses and children along. Recommended!

RATING: 3.5/5

Pictures from Kajol's private collection

In the eat of the moment: A rare snapshot of the reticent Aditya Chopra with Kajol at Juhu beach. The picture is from Kads' personal collection. It features in the latest issue of Stardust's Icon.

 

Kajol had two screenings of We Are Family

Over the weekend, Kajol had two screenings of her upcoming film, We Are Family. Husband Ajay Devgn was missing, though.

Sussanne Roshan was seen at the screening. Arjun Rampal came after the screening with wife Mehr as did WAF director Siddharth Malhotra.