As Kajol Devgn gears up for the release of her upcoming film, "Maa," a mythological horror flick slated to hit theaters on June 27, 2025, the celebrated actress is reflecting on her own experiences as a mother. In various interviews and promotional events, Kajol has offered glimpses into her personal journey, sharing insights on the challenges, joys, and evolution she's undergone as a parent to her two children, Nysa and Yug.
Kajol, known for her candid and unfiltered nature, has never shied away from discussing the realities of motherhood. She acknowledges that no amount of preparation can truly equip you for the experience, emphasizing that it often "hits you like a ton of bricks." In an interview with Tweak India in November 2024, she humorously recounted how she almost shut everyone out after the birth of her first child, Nysa. Her message to friends, including Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra, was a straightforward request for solitude to concentrate on "getting it right" as a new mother. She playfully admitted she couldn't afford to "screw this up."
This desire for space and focus resonates with many new parents who often feel overwhelmed by well-intentioned visitors. Kajol's approach highlights the importance of prioritizing the needs of the new family unit, allowing them to adjust and bond without added pressure. She underscores the common struggle of balancing the responsibilities of caring for a newborn while also managing the expectations and presence of family and friends.
In a 2018 interview with Filmfare, while promoting Helicopter Eela, Kajol opened up about the lessons she learned from her own mother, Tanuja, and how they shaped her parenting style. She lauded her mother as the "coolest mom there could be," someone who never complained about her daughter not spending enough time with her. In contrast, Kajol confessed to often complaining about her own children, particularly her daughter Nysa when her son Yug was younger.
One of the most significant lessons Kajol imbibed from her mother was the importance of taking responsibility for one's mistakes. "Everyone makes mistakes. I, too, may have committed them. But if I take responsibility for it, it doesn't remain a mistake anymore. It becomes a learning experience." This is a value she hopes to pass on to her own children, fostering a sense of accountability and resilience in them.
Kajol has also spoken about the unique challenges of raising children in the digital age. In a February 2025 interview, she noted that the biggest hurdle for parents today is managing the flow of information to their kids, given the accessibility of everything online. She emphasized the need to simplify complex and potentially disturbing information, such as issues related to sex, violence, and the mistreatment of women, to make it comprehensible for children.
Addressing her work-life balance, Kajol has been open about the "mother's guilt" that many working mothers experience. In a 2023 interview, she shared how she still feels a pang of guilt when she's not there for her son, especially during holidays. However, she also emphasized the importance of quality over quantity, recalling her mother's advice to dedicate focused, uninterrupted time to her children whenever possible.
With the release of "Maa," Kajol is venturing into new territory with her first horror film. The film, produced by her husband Ajay Devgn, explores the themes of maternal protection and the lengths a mother will go to safeguard her child from evil forces. "Maa" is not just a film for Kajol; it seems to be a reflection of her own deeply held beliefs about the strength and resilience of a mother's love. It tells the story of a mother fighting a cursed tree to save her daughter from being sacrificed.
As Kajol steps into this new role, both on and off-screen, her reflections on motherhood offer a relatable and inspiring perspective for parents everywhere.
