I've always been picky and choosy," says Kajol. "I won't do four films a year, neither am I game for a gruelling shooting schedule." That explains why she has signed just one film in the last four-odd years: Kunal Kohli's Fanaa, co-starring Aamir Khan (May release).
She had agreed to do the film because the script and the schedule matched her specifications. "The script of Fanaa makes for interesting cinema," she adds. Is she wary about possible comparisons (pre and post motherhood)?
"It is bound to happen," she agrees. "But good work is good work and will always be recognised as such."
The popular notion that married actresses are not well received by the audience is "a myth," she points out naming Zeenat Aman, Dimple Kapadia and Waheeda Rehman as examples. "Actually, such myths take root because the beauty factor of actresses has taken over other facets like talent and quality of work," she says.
She won't talk about Fanaa, but avers that it was fun being back on the sets. "Now, I work only for fun. I guess I'm more at ease with my work today."
On her recent friendly appearance at the Lakme Fashion Week for designer Manish Malhotra, she says: "It was a frightening but thrilling experience."