Kajol felt very alone on the sets of the superhit film 'Ishq.' Were Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla to blame?

Indra Kumar’s 1997 directorial Ishq stands as one of the most commercially successful films of its time, making a powerful impact at the Indian box office. Featuring a star-studded cast that included Aamir Khan, Kajol, Juhi Chawla, and Ajay Devgn, the movie was widely appreciated for its vibrant comedy, catchy music, and high-energy performances. But what many may not realize is the lengthy and emotionally layered journey behind its creation—a process that stretched across 300 demanding days of filming.

In a recent conversation with Mashable India, Kajol opened up about her experiences during the making of Ishq. She shared how, during the shoot, she often found herself alone on set. Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla, who had a long-standing camaraderie, were typically engrossed in their own group dynamics along with director Indra Kumar.

Their bond created a tight trio, while Kajol, despite her efforts to socialize, frequently ended up by herself. Over time, this sense of solitude allowed her to form a stronger bond with her co-star Ajay Devgn, who was also somewhat removed from the others. Eventually, Kajol found herself mostly isolated, especially on days when she simply didn’t feel like engaging in small talk.

“Aamir was very friendly with the director, and so was Juhi, so these three were a close-knit group, and then there was Ajay and me. And eventually, it was just me. There were certain days on set when I was not willing to talk to anybody” she told the magazine.

Reflecting on the reason for this emotional distance, Kajol explained that the exhaustive nature of the film’s shoot contributed heavily. Spending nearly 10 hours every day for close to a year, working on the same project with the same people, naturally wore on her. Despite being outgoing by nature, she admitted there were many moments when she preferred silence over social interaction. Even someone with an extroverted personality needs moments of stillness, she reflected—a truth that became clear during those extended shooting hours.

Ishq, which translates to 'Love,' is a Hindi-language romantic comedy-drama infused with action and emotion—a genre popularly known as "masala" in Indian cinema. It not only brought together four major stars but also featured talents like Dalip Tahil, Johnny Lever, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, and Mohan Joshi in memorable supporting roles. With music composed by Anu Malik, the film was released on 28 November 1997 and ranked as the third highest earner at the box office that year.

While critics offered a mix of reviews—applauding the film’s humor, music, visual appeal, and acting while pointing out weaknesses in its storyline and screenplay—audiences embraced it wholeheartedly. The story followed the contrasting lives of two friends, Ajay and Raja, as they fall for women from vastly different social spheres.

On the work front, Kajol will next be seen in the mythological horror movie 'Maa'. The film continues the narrative set within the Shaitan Universe, unfolding a gripping tale about a mother's fierce struggle to protect her child from dark, otherworldly forces.

Wrapped in a haunting mix of emotion and suspense, it explores the depth of maternal courage in the face of supernatural danger. Production was completed earlier in 2025, with the makers unveiling the first look poster to much anticipation. The movie is slated for a multilingual theatrical release on 27 June 2025, hitting screens in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali.