FILM INTERVIEW: KAJOL
Teaming Up with Hubby Ajay Devgn in First Live Action Animation Movie
Kajol and Ajay Devgn have a husband-wife relationship like most others. The proud parents of two have their little disagreements and arguments, especially when it comes to work. While most couples will have escalated disagreements over finances or other related domestic issues, Kajol tends to get into it with her husband when it comes to scripts and movie roles--an argument not engaged in by most couples. Still, Kajol insists that the reason she does not star in as many films opposite her other half is because they are rarely on the same page as to which scripts they like. Be that as it may, Kajol and Ajay have apparently found some common ground in Kireet Khurana’s Toonpur Ka Superhero, India’s first live action animation film in the vein of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Interestingly enough, Kajol, who married Ajay in 1999, said in a recent interview with the Indian press that both her and her husband rarely come to terms on what constitutes a good script.
“Ajay and I will always take years to be together on screen because we hardly ever agree on a script. We actually don’t agree on most scripts,” Kajol told the press. “What he thinks is workable is something that I find not working for me at all. So it’s very rare that we actually come across something that we both agree on and we both would like to work on.”
Of course, the duo have worked together on films in years past, including Ajay’s directorial debut in the critically acclaimed but financially disappointing U Me aur Hum, as well as Ishq, Hulchul, Dil Kya Kare, and Pyaar Toah Hona Hi Tha. While Kajol pointed out it is slowly becoming easier to work with her husband, doing a live animation project was rather difficult.
.jpg)
“As the years go by, you get more comfortable and used to the way the other person works; otherwise the process remains the same. It just becomes more of a team (process),” Kajol said about working alongside her husband--a professional relationship that faced new challenges in Toonpur Ka Superhero. “It was very tough working on the film. We even had to reshoot a few scenes. Dubbing and shooting was equally frustrating. You had to keep so many things in mind, like timing and everything.”
Releasing on Christmas Eve, the Kireet Khurana-directed production paired Kajol and Ajay together as two humans who enter the world of cartoons, a la Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Her first ever animation project, Kajol definitely had to put in more work than she usually does in order to master her character. Fortunately, she enjoyed every minute.
“There were a few action sequences too where I had to do action in front of a green space, so I was smiling, scowling, laughing--all in the wrong places! However, our action director Jack Gill was very good and very patient with us,” Kajol said.
Beyond her workload, Kajol also found new appreciation for the level of difficulty to produce animation projects. “(Toonpur Ka Superhero is) releasing when we thought it would. Animation takes time. We shot in three to four months, but then a lot more has to be done on each character,” Kajol stated to the press. “Karan Johar’s animation film is still being made. Avatar took five years to make simply because you don’t want to mess it up. There is so much at stake.”
For Kajol, her own personal stakes have changed a bit in recent times, what with the arrival of a newborn earlier this year. With that, the acclaimed superstar actress has, for the most part, shifted her attention away from cinema and instead focused on family. Part of her focus shift includes--surprise--reading more comics.
“My superhero is Superman. I loved him; I read all his comics,” she joked with the press before changing her tone and addressing the current state of her career. “I’m not working on any film right now. No plans as of now. It’s very difficult handling two kids. I don’t get time, and I want to give all my time to them for some time now.”
Speaking of family, Kajol not only worked with her husband in Toonpur Ka Superhero; she also worked with her mother, acclaimed Hindi film star Tanuja. Lucky for Kajol, not only is she comfortable working with her husband, but a level of ease has been established between her and her mother on set.
