‘Actors Have Influence and Influence Comes With Responsibility’

From a teenager with stardom in her eyes to a seasoned actor who balances her career across industries with her role as Mom, Kajal Aggarwal has come a long way. She talks of mindful choices and stories that make the audience think.

Excerpts from an interview

From Lakshmi Kalyanam (2007) to The India Story, it’s been quite a journey. How do you look at your trajectory as an actor so far?

I look at it with immense gratitude. When I started, I was a teenager with big dreams and absolutely no film background. Everything I know about acting, cinema, has been learnt on the job. Over nearly two decades, I’ve worked across languages, genres and with some incredible filmmakers. Every film, whether successful or challenging, has shaped me. Today, I don’t measure my career only by the number of films I’ve done, but by whether I’m still evolving, whether I’m still excited to go to work and whether I’m choosing stories that leave something behind. The India Story represents that phase of my career—where purpose is just as important as performance.

What made you say Yes to The India Story?

The subject. Food adulteration, excessive pesticide use and the long-term health impact on families are issues that affect every single one of us. We all eat food every day, yet very few of us question where it comes from or what goes into it. The film isn’t trying to scare people, it encourages awareness, accountability and informed choices. As an actor, it’s rare to get a script that’s both engaging and socially relevant. That’s what attracted me.

Do you think actors have a responsibility towards their audience?

I think actors have influence, and influence comes with responsibility. Not every film has to carry a social message- cinema also exists to entertain. But when a meaningful story comes your way and it’s told well, I think it’s worth being a part of. If a film starts conversations, encourages people to ask questions or even changes one family’s habits, that’s a wonderful outcome.

How do you divide your time between work and your son? Does he understand that Mama has to work?

Motherhood completely changed my priorities — not my passion, but definitely my perspective. I’m much more mindful about the projects I choose and how I schedule them. Quality time has become more important than quantity. My son is beginning to understand that Mama goes to work just like Papa does. Children may not understand our profession, but they understand love, presence and consistency. So whenever I’m with him, I try to be completely present.

You’ve worked in both the Telugu and Hindi industries. What differences do you see in their work cultures?

I’ve been fortunate to work across several industries, and honestly, every film set develops its own culture. The South industries are often known for their discipline, planning and efficiency, while Hindi cinema brings together incredible diversity in storytelling and creative collaboration. Today, I feel those boundaries are becoming smaller. Artistes, technicians and audiences are embracing Indian cinema as one ecosystem, and I think that’s a very positive shift.

Do you find ageism difficult to deal with?

I think the conversation is changing and that’s encouraging. Yes, historically the expectations from women have been different. But today audiences are far more accepting of women leading films at every stage of life. I’ve personally reached a phase where I don’t chase age-appropriate labels. If the role excites me, that’s what matters. I also believe that longevity comes from continuously evolving rather than trying to remain the same forever. Women don’t have an expiry date - good stories don’t either.