Kajol Reveals the Reason Behind Her Decades-Long No-Kissing Scene Rule

Bollywood actress Kajol has opened up about her decision to break a long-standing personal rule against on-screen kissing after more than three decades, explaining that the choice was driven entirely by the demands of her character in the 2023 web series “The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha”.

The actress, who has built a reputation over 30 years for avoiding intimate scenes on camera, shared a kiss with co-star Jisshu Sengupta in the show, marking her first such scene in a career spanning films like “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, and “My Name Is Khan”.

Speaking on Lilly Singh’s podcast, Kajol clarified that the moment was not inserted casually but was essential to the emotional journey of her character, Noyonika Sengupta, a housewife who returns to law following her husband’s scandal in the Indian adaptation of “The Good Wife”.

“It wasn’t simply a kiss. it was about what she thought and what she wanted to happen and what didn’t happen for her,” Kajol said, emphasizing that the scene was integral to the screenplay and could not be removed without compromising the character’s authenticity.

She further explained that breaking her no-kissing policy was a professional call rooted in her commitment to the role, stating, “It was something that was an integral part of the entire screenplay, so I couldn’t have cut that out without cutting an integral part of the entire character.”

Despite her conviction in the character’s needs, Kajol admitted to feeling deeply uncomfortable with the idea until the moment of filming. “I think I was uncomfortable with it. I was very, very uncomfortable with the idea till I was standing on set,” she revealed, adding that she liked the scene in theory but was uncertain about performing it until she was on set.

The actress described her decision as a matured professional judgment, saying, “I really think it was simply that; it was simply a professional call where I felt that I can make this call today.”

Kajol made her OTT debut with “The Trial” in 2023, directed by Suparn Verma, and the show’s second season is currently streaming on JioHotstar. Her portrayal of Noyonika Sengupta has been noted for its depth and realism, particularly in navigating personal and professional turmoil following her husband’s public disgrace.

Throughout her career, Kajol has been recognized for her versatility across genres, from romance and comedy to mystery and horror, yet had consistently maintained her boundary against on-screen kissing until this role. Her recent comments provide rare insight into how actors balance personal boundaries with artistic commitments, especially when portraying complex, emotionally layered characters in long-form storytelling.