Kajal Aggarwal was born on 19 June 1985 and raised in aPunjabi family with roots inAmritsar, settled inBombay (present-day Mumbai).[15] Her father Vinay Aggarwal, is an entrepreneur in the textile business and her mother Suman Aggarwal is a confectioner,[16] and also Kajal's business manager. Kajal has a younger sisterNisha Aggarwal, an actress in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam cinema.[17]
Aggarwal studied atSt. Anne's High School, Fort, Mumbai, and completed her pre-university education atJai Hind College.[18] She pursued her graduation in mass media, with specialisation in marketing and advertising, fromKishinchand Chellaram College.[18][19] Having harboured MBA dreams all through her growing years, in 2012, she said she "intended to achieve a post-graduation degree soon".[20]
Aggarwal made her debut in Telugu films in 2007, withTeja'sLakshmi Kalyanam, alongsideKalyan Ram; it had an average return at the box office.[23] Later that year, she appeared in theKrishna Vamsi-directedChandamama, which opened to positive reviews and became her first major successful film.[24] In 2008, she had her first Tamil film release,Perarasu's action entertainerPazhani, oppositeBharath. She had one more Tamil release that year withVenkat Prabhu's comedy-thrillerSaroja, in which she did a guest appearance. Although the film went on to become a commercial as well as a critical success,[25] the film failed to boost her career as her role was too insignificant.[26] Her Telugu releasesPourudu andAatadista oppositeSumanth andNitin, respectively, did not receive positive reviews, but both were successful at the box office.[27][28]
Critical acclaim and recognition (2009–2011)
Aggarwal at an event
Aggarwal had four releases in 2009. She first starred oppositeVinay Rai in the Tamil filmModhi Vilayadu, which garnered mixed reviews and was a financial failure.[29] She then appeared inS. S. Rajamouli's high budget Telugu historical dramaMagadheera, oppositeRam Charan Teja. She played dual roles of Mithra, a princess and Indu, a modern woman.[30] Aggarwal's performance earned her server nominations includingFilmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu.[31] The film became successful commercially and broke several records, emerging as the highest-grossing Telugu film of all time.[32][33][34] Radhika Rajamani ofRediff.com noted, "Kajal was quite a surprise package. She was sweet and charming and looked like an 'ethereal' princess. She carries off both the roles fairly well."[35] It was released again in Tamil asMaaveeran in 2011, and was also successful at the box office.[36] Her subsequent releasesGanesh, oppositeRam Pothineni andArya 2 oppositeAllu Arjun received mixed reviews from critics, while her performance garnered positive feedback.[37][38]
Aggarwal's first 2010 release wasA. Karunakaran's romantic comedyDarling, which featured her asPrabhas's childhood lover Bandini. The film went onto become a commercial success at the box office.[39][40] Her performance earned her second Filmfare Best Actress – Telugu nomination and aSify critic stated that she "mesmerized" the audience.[41] Later that year, she appeared in the Tamil thriller filmNaan Mahaan Alla, oppositeKarthi, which was based on a real-life incident and opened to positive reviews.[42] A commercial success, it was later dubbed in Telugu asNaa Peru Siva in Andhra Pradesh and was a success.[43] Her final release that year was the romantic comedyBrindavanam oppositeJr. NTR andSamantha, which received critical acclaim and went on to become a commercial success.[44] She won theCineMAA Award for Best Actress for the film.[45]
In 2011, Aggarwal first reunited with Prabhas in the romantic comedyMr. Perfect, where she played Priya, a doctor. The film became a critical and commercial success.[46] AThe Times of India critic stated, "Kajal looks great, expresses well and fits into the role perfectly. Her chemistry with Prabhas is commendable."[47] She earned her third Filmfare Best Actress – Telugu nomination, for her performance.[48] She then appeared inVeera, replacingAnushka Shetty[49] and starred oppositeRavi Teja.[50] The film received moderate reviews and emerged a moderate success.[51] Later that year, Aggarwal made her comeback to Hindi films withSingham, a remake of thesame-titled 2010 Tamil film, oppositeAjay Devgn.[52][53] She played a Goan girl Kavya Bhosle and receivedFilmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination for the same.Komal Nahta noted, "Kaajal may not be very beautiful but she acts with effortless ease. Her performance is good."[54] Sukanya Venkatraghavan stated, "Kajal looks pretty and has done what she has been told to, but probably deserved a meatier debut."[55] Nevertheless, the film was a hit at the box office.[56] Her last release of the year came with the Telugu filmDhada, oppositeNaga Chaitanya, which failed at the box office.[57]
Commercial success and progression (2012–2015)
Aggarwal's first release of 2012 was in the Telugugangster filmBusinessman oppositeMahesh Babu, directed byPuri Jagannadh. ASankranthi release, it opened to positive reviews and was a commercial success.[58] Her performance, though limited, was praised by critics.[59] Aggarwal then made her comeback to Tamil films withMaattrraan oppositeSuriya. The film became a commercial success.[60][61] Her performance as a language translator Anjali was well received; with Malini Mannath stating: "Kajal does with utmost sincerity as the foreign language translator Anjali. It's this trait and her graceful demeanour which makes Kajal a pleasant watch".[62]A. R. Murugadoss'sThuppakki oppositeVijay was her next release. She played Nisha, a boxer.[63] The film emerged a major commercial success, becoming the second Tamil film ever to collect over₹1 billion (US$12 million).[64] L Romal M Singh ofDaily News and Analysis stated, "Kajal acts as a pretty face mostly, but is pleasing and cute in many sequences."[65] The film won her theSIIMA Critics Award for Best Actress – Tamil.[66] Her final release of the year was the Telugu romance filmSarocharu, opposite Ravi Teja, which failed at the box office.[67]
I prefer Telugu film industry as women are respected more than they are in the Tamil film industry. In Tamil cinema, they care only about their hero. Of course, I don't give a shit and go and sit in my van
Aggarwal about thedifference she felt between Telugu and Tamil industry.[68]
Aggarwal starred in the action filmNaayak, oppositeRam Charan Teja, her first release of 2013.[69] Upon release, it received positive reviews and was a major commercial success.[70] She then played a teacher Priya, oppositeAkshay Kumar inSpecial 26, a heist drama directed byNeeraj Pandey.[71] It went on to be a major critical and commercial success.[72]Rajeev Masand noted, "Kajal keeps it real as the girl next door who falls for Ajay, and their romance is sweet."[73] She later appeared inSrinu Vaitla'sBaadshah, opposite Jr. NTR. Upon its release, critics appreciated her performance and a critic stated, "Kajal is as usual an eye-candy. She's got a good role and has done justice to her performance. Also she looks stunning in the songs."[74] The film was a financial success.[75] Her final release that year wasAll in All Azhagu Raja oppositeKarthi. It released to negative reviews from critics and had an average collection.[76]
In 2014, Aggarwal starred inR. T. Neason's masala filmJilla, in which she played a police officer opposite Vijay.[77] The film was a major commercial success.[78] She then featured in a cameo appearance oppositeAllu Arjun in the Telugu action thriller filmYevadu, again a box office success.[79] Her next release wasKrishna Vamsi's family dramaGovindudu Andarivadele, which became one of the highest grossing Telugu film of the year.[80][81] She played Satya, a modern girl opposite Ram Charan. Suresh Kaviyarani stated, "Kajal is beautiful and glamorous. Her chemistry with Charan comes up neatly."[82]
In her first release of 2015, Aggarwal appeared inPuri Jagannadh's Telugu action filmTemper. She played Saanvi, an animal lover opposite Jr. NTR.[83] Hemanth Kumar noted, "Despite her limited role, Kajal does well, although the duo’s underwritten romantic track leaves a lot to be desired."[84] The film was a commercial success and one of the highest grossing film of the year.[85] Aggarwal then appeared inBalaji Mohan's gangster comedy filmMaari, oppositeDhanush. S Saraswathi ofRediff noted: "Kajal Aggarwal does have a significant role to play, but her onscreen chemistry with Dhanush just does not work".[86] The film became a commercial success.[87] Her other release,Suseenthiran's action filmPaayum Puli, alongsideVishal, received mixed reviews and failed at the box office.[88] Reviewers criticised her character stating: "badly written and has nothing more to do with the script."[89] That year, she also did a cameo appearance in the bilingual romantic comedy filmSize Zero.[90]
Career fluctuations (2016–present)
The year 2016 saw Aggarwal appear in two high-profile Telugu films. She played the lead female role, marking her first collaboration withPawan Kalyan, in the masala filmSardaar Gabbar Singh, directed byK. S. Ravindra. Critical reaction of the film was mixed to negative, though Aggarwal's performance was positive. A reviewer from theDeccan Chronicle wrote: "Kajal Aggarwal plays the perfect princess and looks beautiful and elegant. In fact, she is a breath of air in the film".[91] The film grossed₹900 million (US$11 million) worldwide.[92] Her second Telugu release wasSrikanth Addala's family dramaBrahmotsavam, oppositeMahesh Babu, which was a major critical and commercial failure.[93] Among the female leads, her performance as a "new age girl" was well received, despite the role having a limited screen time.[94] She next starred oppositeRandeep Hooda in the romantic drama Hindi filmDo Lafzon Ki Kahani. The film received moderate reviews.
In late July 2016, she signed to perform her firstitem number inKoratala Siva'sJanatha Garage, starringMohanlal, Jr NTR, Samantha Ruth Prabhu andNithya Menen.[101] The shooting of the song took place in mid-August 2016.[102] That song, titled "Pakka Local", was well received by the audience.[103] In October 2016, the much delayed Hindi filmFinal Cut of Director released, which was supposed to mark her lead debut.[104][105] The film was partially reshot in Tamil and released eight years earlier asBommalattam.[106] Her next release,Kavalai Vendam, received mixed to positive reviews, but her performance was praised by critics.[107] In December 2016, she signed forVijay 61, starring oppositeVijay.[108]
Aggarwal's first 2017 release was theTelugu-languageaction drama filmKhaidi No. 150, starring oppositeChiranjeevi. It received mostly positive reviews and turned out to be a commercial success,[109] with Aggarwal's performance praised by critics.[citation needed] In January 2017, in a poll conducted by the Hyderabad Times, she topped the list of Most Desirable Women 2016.[110][111] In 2017, she appeared in thePolitical dramaNene Raju Nene Mantri, as Radha Jogendhra, a loyal wife who acts as a morale balance toRana Daggubati's character. Her performance received praise from critics. She then appeared as lead female role in Spy action film,Vivegam, as Yazhini Kumar, a music teacher and loving wife of a spy. Her performance was again praised by critics. She then portrayed the supporting role inAtlee'sMersal as a doctor, and featured alongsideVijay for the third time in her career and her performance received positive reviews while the film becameone of the highest grossing Tamil films of 2017.Mersal went on to join the₹2 billion club.[112]
In 2018, Aggarwal had a leading role in the Telugu filmMLA.[113] In April 2018, she signed to a Telugu film which also featuresRavi Teja, marking her third collaboration with the actor.[114][115][116] She also starred inAwe, where she played a troubled woman. Aggarwal later bagged a role inKavacham.[117]
In 2019, Aggarwal was seen inComali. She then reunited with director Teja forSita, where she plays the titular character, an arrogant, selfish businesswoman who manipulates people for business improvement and money.[118]
In 2020, her role in the Telugu filmAcharya, co-starringChiranjeevi,Ram Charan was announced. It is directed byKoratala Siva and produced byRam Charan and Niranjan Reddy.[119][120] However, when the trailer released, there was no clip that featured her, which triggered rumours of makers cutting down her role. The rumours were confirmed by the directorKoratala Siva in an interview.[121]
On 6 October 2020, Aggarwal announced her upcoming marriage to Gautam Kitchlu.[132][133] On 30 October 2020, the couple got married in a small, private ceremony in her hometown ofMumbai, India, with only the couple's immediate families in attendance.[134][135]
Kajal made her pregnancy official with an Instagram post, which was also confirmed by her husband shortly. She gave birth to a boy on 19 April 2022, named Neil.[136][137]
In the media
Aggarwal in 2016
Aggarwal is considered among the most popular actors ofTelugu cinema.[138] She is one of the highest paid actresses in South Indian cinema, according to various media reports.[139][6] Aggarwal has appeared inForbes India'sCelebrity 100 list of 2015, where she debuted at 58th position with an estimated annual income of₹101.3 million (US$1.2 million).[140] She stood at the 15th place onForbes India's most influential stars on Instagram in South cinema for the year 2021.[141]
^Review, Special 26."Rejeev Masand Review".Rajeev Masand. CNN-IBN. Archived fromthe original on 11 February 2013. Retrieved9 February 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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