Kajol Recalls Early Marriage Days: 'Didn’t Know Why I Had To Call My Mother-In-Law ‘Mummy’

Kajol opens up about being married at 24, adjusting to a new family, and how her mother-in-law never forced her to call her “mummy” and encouraged her to return to work post childbirth.

Kajol gets candid about early married life, the pressure of new roles, and how her mother-in-law helped her balance motherhood and career.

Source : IMDb

Actor Kajol recently opened up about stepping into married life at the age of 24, a time when, in her own words, she had “no idea” what she was doing. In a heartfelt conversation with Nayandeep Rakshit, the actor revealed how uncertain and unfamiliar the journey felt in the beginning, and how her in-laws, particularly her mother-in-law, helped ease the transition.

New Life, New Labels: Kajol on the ‘Mummy’ Dilemma

Recalling the early days of marriage to actor-producer Ajay Devgn, Kajol shared her initial confusion about addressing her mother-in-law.
“I really didn’t know what I was doing. I was just 24 years old when we got married so I was really young. And I had no idea what I was supposed to do, who I was supposed to be, kya karna hai, kya banna hai, voh sab pata hi nahi tha mujhe ki kaise baat karni hai,” she admitted.

“‘Aunty ko mummy bulana padega? Kyu? Par meri ek maa already hai.’ And she was quite cool about it. She never insisted that you will have to call me mummy since you are a daughter-in-law now. Never said that to me. She said when it happens, it will happen on its own, and it happened,” Kajol added.

Kajol went on to share how her mother-in-law continued to support her long after she became a part of the Devgn household—especially when she embraced motherhood. After the birth of her daughter, Nysa, it was her mother-in-law who gently nudged her to return to her career.

“She was also one of the first people, after Nysa was born, to tell me that ‘kaam pe jana hai beta toh tu kaam ke baare mein zaroor sochna, hum hai na ghar pe sambhalne ke liye. Hum kyu hai? Hum hai na yahan pe. Toh tereko kaam karna hai toh tereko zarur kaam karna chahiye,’” Kajol recalled.

Kajol’s New Chapter: ‘Maa’ Hits Theatres

Kajol’s latest film, ‘Maa’, released in theatres this Friday. While the movie marks another milestone in her career, her recent reflections reveal the deep emotional layers behind her journey as a woman balancing love, motherhood, and professional ambition—all with the backing of a quietly supportive family.

Her story not only resonates with many women navigating similar transitions but also highlights how understanding and space within families can make all the difference.