Kajol says ‘If Shah Rukh Khan calls himself King Khan, he’s earned it’: ‘SRK used to tell me, Baby, you better learn how to act’

The enduring duo of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol continues to occupy a special place in the hearts of fans. From Baazigar and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and My Name Is Khan, the two have given audiences timeless performances and unforgettable chemistry.While their on-screen magic is well-celebrated, their off-screen camaraderie is just as cherished. In a recent interview, Kajol opened up about her long-standing bond with Shah Rukh and the invaluable lessons she picked up from him over the years.‘He has worked so hard to be King Khan’Reflecting on their collaborations, Kajol credited their mutual respect and shared energy for the success of their films together. “Shah Rukh is a huge star.

The films we did together were massively successful. I think we have been good for each other on screen,” she told The Lallantop.She also praised his relentless dedication. “As far as his career is concerned, he has worked so hard to be where he is today. If he calls himself ‘King Khan’, he has worked very hard to be there. The credit for his career belongs to him,” she added, acknowledging the actor’s journey from television to superstardom.

‘This habit of giving your all will wear you out’Kajol also recalled a piece of advice SRK gave her during the early years of her career, wisdom that she initially brushed aside but later came to value deeply.“Shah Rukh used to tell me, ‘Baby, you better learn how to act. This habit of giving your all in every shot will wear you out,’” she shared. At the time, Kajol admitted she didn’t take it seriously and continued to give her absolute best in every performance.But during the filming of Udhaar Ki Zindagi (1994), when she was just 18, she hit a wall. “The kind of films I was doing at that time were heavy... After the film was completed, I was exhausted, and I understood what Shah Rukh said. For every shot in every film, you can’t afford to give... I mean, you can’t be so into the role that you give your 300% to it. You are basically giving your soul away then.”

‘I told my mother, I don’t want to do films anymore’So overwhelming was the emotional toll that Kajol considered quitting acting altogether. “I was tired. I told my mother, ‘I don’t want to do films anymore’. I was burnt out at 18. I said I didn’t want to keep doing roles where I had to cry constantly or invest so much of myself.”It was only after that phase, she shared, that she truly began to understand the technique of acting, something Shah Rukh had urged her to learn from the beginning.