From ‘DDLJ’ and ‘Baazigar’ to ‘Kuch Hota Hai’ and ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’, the duo has set an exemplary representation of on-screen chemistry from time to time, and have raised the bar each time they’ve done so. The star ‘Jodi’ made a rebound with ‘My Name Is Khan’ and more recently with ‘Dilwale’.

As onlookers, we have cherished each film, where they featured as a couple and accept that they are the most famous Bollywood on-screen couple! The iconic Bollywood couple was once seen sharing their first impression about each other in an interview with ABP News. Have a look at what they said about each other through this video!

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The Hilarious ‘Throwback’ to an Epic Start: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s Cringey First Impression of Each Other

In the grand, star-studded constellation of Bollywood, few pairings shine as brightly and enduringly as Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Their names, for an entire generation of film lovers, are synonymous with romance, passion, and a rare, electric chemistry that transcends the screen. They are the quintessential on-screen couple—Raj and Simran, Rahul and Anjali—whose cinematic journeys have defined the modern Hindi film industry.

Yet, for a pair who would go on to create cinematic magic, their real-life first meeting was anything but a romantic movie moment. It was, as both actors have hilariously recounted in numerous ‘throwback’ interviews, a clash of two polar opposite personalities that resulted in immediate mutual dislike. The story of their initial, deeply unflattering impressions of each other is a fan favourite, a testament to the unpredictable nature of enduring friendships, and the perfect origin story for a legendary partnership.

This article delves into that iconic first meeting, exploring the “grump” and the “peacock” who would become Bollywood’s most beloved jodi, and charting the incredible trajectory of their unbreakable bond.

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The Day the Magic Almost Didn’t Happen: On the Sets of Baazigar

The year was 1993. Shah Rukh Khan was a rising star, a year or so into his film career, and Kajol was a raw, energetic newcomer just a little over 17 years old. The film was the Abbas-Mustan-directed crime thriller, Baazigar, a movie that would launch them both into a new league of stardom.

The setting for their initial collision of personalities was the film’s set, specifically on January 1st.

Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Hangover’ Take on Kajol

Shah Rukh Khan has often joked that he is a “working-class” actor who believes that working on the first day of the new year ensures work for the next 12 months. As a result, he arrived on the set that morning, having come straight from a New Year’s Eve party. He was, by his own admission, exhausted and possibly dealing with the effects of a late night.

The serene, focused environment he sought was instantly shattered by the arrival of the new co-star.

• The ‘Peacock’ and the Noise: In his fatigued state, he found Kajol’s boundless energy and loud chattering unbearable. He described her as a “peacock” for her loud presence, which he felt was the “only noise” on a set full of tired people, including a cameraman who had reportedly been arrested earlier for a minor offense.
• The Famous Complaint: He vividly recalls complaining to the makeup artist, Gautam, about his co-star. His exact words, as recounted in an interview, were, “What kind of an actress is she? Can’t she be quiet for some time?” He even jokingly suggested her loud voice made her better suited to be a “political journalist or minister.”
• The Aamir Khan Misjudgement: Shah Rukh Khan’s poor first impression was so strong that he tried to dissuade another superstar, Aamir Khan, from working with Kajol. He left a message for Aamir, who had inquired about her, saying she was “very bad” and lacked focus. This judgment would be swiftly—and hilariously—retracted.

Kajol’s ‘Khadoos’ Take on Shah Rukh Khan

Kajol, on the other hand, arrived on the set full of energy, as she was too young to be a partygoer. Finding the rest of the crew tired, she was simply being herself—bubbly, friendly, and highly vocal, chatting away in Marathi with the makeup and hair department.

Her observation of Shah Rukh Khan was equally unflattering.

• The Grumpy, Silent Actor: She saw a quiet, intense actor sitting in a corner, reading his script while wearing glasses, and completely ignoring everyone. In her mind, this aloof behaviour translated to arrogance.
• The Instant Label: She complained to the same makeup artist: “Ravi dada, yeh kya khadoos actor hai aap ka (Ravi dada, who is this grumpy actor of yours)?” She added, “For two hours he’s been sitting and reading his script, not talking to anyone, what a grump.”
• The ‘Shut Up’ Moment: Amused by his silence, Kajol actually walked up to him and tried to strike up a conversation, even asking why he was so rude. Shah Rukh Khan, being extremely focused on his lines, was in no mood for her high-decibel energy and simply told her, “Can you please shut up for a minute? Somebody shut her up, for God’s sake.” This left the then-teenager feeling “rude and mean.”

This famously awful first meeting—the tired grump telling the cheerful chatterbox to “shut up”—became the awkward, cringey foundation for one of Bollywood’s most powerful and authentic friendships.

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From “Very Bad” to “Magic”: The Shift in Perception

The true turning point in Shah Rukh Khan’s opinion came after he saw the film’s early rushes. Despite his initial belief that Kajol was unfocused, her performance on screen left him stunned.

• The ‘Magic’ Realization: Shah Rukh Khan immediately called Aamir Khan back to clarify his previous message, stating, “I don’t know what it is but she is magical on screen.” He realised that what he perceived as a lack of focus was actually a form of pure, honest acting—she wasn’t overly technical, but an honest performer whose raw talent translated into exceptional screen presence.
• A Lifelong Mentor: This initial friction evolved into a strong bond where Shah Rukh Khan became a mentor figure, often guiding Kajol in her nascent career. She fondly recalls him once telling her, “You know you just have to learn how to act.” While initially taken aback, she later understood the wisdom in his words. After suffering burnout from emotionally heavy roles in her early career, she realised that learning the technique of acting was essential to sustain a long career without constantly pouring her soul out, and she credits SRK’s blunt advice for pushing her towards that realization.

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The Evolution of an Iconic Partnership

The friendship between Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol is built on mutual respect, professional understanding, and a complete lack of ego. They share an emotional shorthand that makes their on-screen chemistry feel effortless and deeply believable.

The Dynamics of Their Off-Screen Bond

Their real-life friendship is characterized by a comfortable, decades-long rapport, which Kajol sums up perfectly:

• Unconditional Support: “I know for a fact that if I ever had to call him up at 3 o’clock in the morning, he would pick up my phone and he knows vice versa.”
• The Quirky Detail: She finds it both “endearing” and slightly annoying that Shah Rukh Khan knows all of everyone’s dialogues on set, a reflection of his meticulous preparation.
• No Ego, Just Banter: Their relationship allows them to constantly pull each other’s legs and speak their minds without offense, knowing the friendship is strong enough to handle it.

The Unstoppable Screen Jodi

Their contrasting personalities—his intense, witty persona and her spontaneous, energetic presence—somehow combust on screen to form the perfect, aspirational love story. This alchemy has resulted in some of Bollywood’s greatest blockbusters.

Film Title	Year	Significance
Baazigar	1993	Their first film together, where their initial dislike turned into professional respect.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)	1995	The defining cinematic romance of a generation, establishing the iconic Raj & Simran. It is the longest-running film in Indian cinema history.
Karan Arjun	1995	A reincarnation action-drama that proved their chemistry could thrive even in a multi-starrer commercial potboiler.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai	1998	Defined the Rahul & Anjali friendship-to-love trope for the modern era.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G)	2001	A family drama where their effortless chemistry added a beautiful layer of middle-class charm and emotional depth.
My Name Is Khan (MNIK)	2010	A mature, emotionally complex film, showcasing their evolution as actors while maintaining their core chemistry.
Dilwale	2015	Their last leading collaboration to date, marking their two-decade partnership.
Cameos	Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Om Shanti Om (2007), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)	They also appeared briefly in the song sequences of these films, a testament to their willingness to collaborate for their close friend and frequent director, Karan Johar.

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The Lasting Legacy of the ‘Throwback’

The story of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s terrible first impression serves as a wonderful metaphor for their entire partnership: two people who are inherently different, who got off on the wrong foot, but who found an undeniable harmony when it mattered most—on the screen and in life.

Their ability to laugh about calling each other a “grump” and a “peacock” two decades later is a beautiful ‘throwback’ not just to a single interview, but to a friendship that has endured the test of superstardom, the pressures of the industry, and the simple passage of time. They started as professional antagonists but became the most iconic embodiment of cinematic love, proving that sometimes, the greatest partnerships are forged not in a blaze of immediate admiration, but through a healthy dose of initial friction and mutual respect.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: What was Shah Rukh Khan’s first impression of Kajol?

A: Shah Rukh Khan’s first impression of Kajol was that she was “too loud” and a “peacock” due to her boundless energy and incessant chatter on the sets of their first film, Baazigar, on January 1, 1993. He was reportedly tired from a New Year’s Eve party and complained to his makeup man, asking, “Can’t she be quiet for some time?”

Q2: What was Kajol’s first impression of Shah Rukh Khan?

A: Kajol’s first impression of Shah Rukh Khan was that he was a “khadoos” (grump), “rude,” and “mean.” She found him sitting quietly in a corner, reading his script and ignoring everyone, which she thought was arrogant. The impression solidified when he told her, “Can you please shut up for a minute?” when she tried to talk to him.

Q3: How did Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol meet for the first time?

A: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol first met on the set of their debut film together, the 1993 thriller Baazigar. The meeting took place on January 1st.

Q4: Which was the first movie of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol together?

A: The first movie starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as a pairing was Baazigar, which was released in 1993.

Q5: How many movies have Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol done together?

A: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol have done a total of nine movies together, which includes their lead collaborations (Baazigar, Karan Arjun, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, My Name Is Khan, and Dilwale) as well as their special appearance/cameo roles (Kal Ho Naa Ho, Om Shanti Om).

Q6: What made Shah Rukh Khan change his mind about Kajol’s acting?

A: Shah Rukh Khan changed his mind about Kajol’s acting after seeing the daily rushes of Baazigar. He realized that despite her off-screen energy, she was “magical on screen” and an “honest” actor, possessing a raw, natural talent that was instantly captivating. He even called Aamir Khan to retract his initial negative assessment.