I wanted to retire at 24, reveals Kajol

It’s been two years since actor Kajol made her last big screen outing. But the actor, who’s busy being a mom to her two kids — daughter Nysa and son Yug — insists that she’s in a very comfortable space, taking things at her own pace. “I’m in no rush to get back to films, but if I do get a fab script, I’ll sign it right away,” she says. The draw, explains the actor, can only be a strong script. “I will only take up a film if it can justify my spending that much time away from my kids,” adds Kajol as she settles down for a tete-a-tete.

Q: So, how was Mother’s Day?
A: Fun! Every day, every moment I get to spend with my kids is special for me. I really like and enjoy being with them. As for my mom (actor Tanuja) well, she has fractured her hand and is in Lonavala, so I just wished her on phone.

Q: Do your kids watch your movies?
A: Yug is too small, and Nysa doesn’t like my movies. She likes me as an actor, but doesn’t like it when she sees me cry onscreen and I have done that quite often in my last few films (laughs). But she loves watching Jay’s (hubby actor Ajay Devgn) films and keeps telling me, ‘Why can’t you be as cool as him?’

Q: So, will you have that in mind when you sign your next film?
A: May be. I would like to do some fun thing now, but like I said, it has to be a strong enough role to attract me first.

Q: Do you miss the archlights?
A: I miss the crafting of a character, but not being in front of a camera as such. I had my priorities clear very early in life. You know, I had initially wanted to retire at 24. I had been working for so long, at least it seemed that way, that I had decided that when I hit 24 or 25, I’d get married, just give up everything and go on a cruise. I didn’t retire, but since then, I’m doing things at my own pace. I have nothing to prove, I do films that really excite me. So in that I don’t just go with my own flow, I have my own sea and my own boat too (smiles).  

Q: But you have been getting offers. Nothing exciting yet?
A: Yes, I have been reading scripts, but haven’t come across anything that would excite me yet.

Q: Would working with good friend Shah Rukh Khan or Ajay be a draw for you to sign a film?
A: No. That would be a bonus, but I would still never do a two-bit role, even if it’s with them. The real pull has to be the script, really. I mean it could be a small role, but has to be a powerful one.  

Q: But you have been quite busy with your endorsements?
A: Yes, I have been doing quite a few of them and Nysa loves all my ads. Thank God! (laughs)

Q: There’s been buzz of you doing a film with Shah Rukh Khan?
A: Nothing’s on the cards yet.

Q: Would you consider direction?
A: No, never!

Q: You have been looking fitter than ever?
A: Well, I’ve been working out and dieting (laughs). Sorry, but I’m not going to lie that I don’t. But I diet, not starve and love working out too. I’m really regular with it. It’s that ‘me time’ that I look forward to every day.