Kajal Aggarwal, who gained fame in Bollywood, has now openly discussed why she decided to distance herself from the Hindi film industry. She emphasized that quality, not quantity, has always been her priority, which is why she chose projects offering strong roles.
In an interview with News Book, Kajal shared that the roles offered to her in South India were more suitable than those she found in Bollywood. She stated that she is not interested in playing mediocre roles, and her main goal has always been good films and convincing characters. She also noted that the language barrier never became an obstacle for her.
Initially, she was not very interested in cinema, but after participating in seven films, she fell in love with her work and began dedicating herself to it completely.
Comparing the work culture of the two film industries, Kajal advised Bollywood to adopt the punctuality of South India. She observed that schedules are often disrupted in Hindi films, whereas in South India, all processes are strictly regulated by time. She herself always arrives on set on time and prefers to work at this pace because the timing in Bollywood is very different.
When asked which actor made her wait the most, Kajal unhesitatingly named Salman Khan. She admitted that she is not accustomed to such delays and wondered what was happening. He often arrived on set in the afternoon or evening. During this time, she would exercise in the gym on set. She is used to the discipline and punctuality characteristic of South India.
According to Kajal, South Indian cinema is undergoing significant changes. She believes that female characters in modern films are becoming much stronger and more independent. She noted that South India is learning to write better stories about women and growing up, unlike Bollywood. She stressed that the era when heroines were simply shown exposing their stomachs is passing into the past. Kajal added that she has always categorically refused such scenes, stating, 'Don't throw fruits on my stomach, boss.'
Regarding her current work, Kajal Aggarwal will soon appear in the film 'The India Story'. Additionally, she will play the role of Mandodari in Nitesh Tiwari's mega-budget project 'Ramayana' in parts 1 and 2.
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan faced a wave of negative comments (trolls) after agreeing to pay the bill for the DCP (Digital Cinema Package) of the Marathi film 'Deul Band 2'. Many users began questioning his involvement, wondering why he supported a film based on the image of an Hindu deity while being a Muslim.
This is not the first time Shah Rukh Khan has been criticized regarding 'Deul Band 2'. Previously, when the film's director, Pravin Tarde, spoke about the star's act of generosity in an interview, questions also arose about the reasons for providing him the credit. However, Pravin Tarde once again defended the actor.
In a podcast called 'Podkatta', the director of 'Deul Band 2' responded to the criticism, stating that discussions about Hinduism and Islam should not appear in this context. He emphasized that both are part of the film industry. According to Tarde, they approached Shah Rukh Khan's company because they only had about 12–13 lakh rupees, whereas the total bill was approximately 43 lakh rupees.
Pravin Tarde relayed Shah Rukh Khan's words, who allegedly asked his team about the quality of the film. After receiving positive feedback, he immediately requested the DCP, stating that the financial matter would be settled later. The film was fully ready for release, and they needed payment for the outstanding amount. At the same time, he made it clear that the DCP needed to be provided first, and the account settlement would happen later. The director described this as a demonstration of great heart and generosity.
Tarde continued, noting that if a person provides such significant help, their kindness should not be ignored solely based on their caste or religion. He stated that gratitude for help is a duty. Regarding the issue of Hinduism, he added that he does not need to prove anything to anyone, and that thanking Shah Rukh Khan is not related to his Hindu ideology. He concluded that what matters is the fact that the person is a good human being.
It is worth noting that the film 'Deul Band 2' achieved approximately 100 crore rupees at the global box office, becoming one of the most successful films in the history of Marathi cinema.
