South Indian cinema powerhouse Kajal Aggarwal has opened up about a disturbing on-set experience that left her deeply unsettled, while also offering insights into why she consistently prioritises South films over Bollywood. The actress, who has commanded a significant fan base for nearly two decades, shared these revelations in a recent interview with ABP News.
Kajal Aggarwal Recalls Disturbing Experience
Aggarwal recounted an unsettling incident that occurred a few days ago after she had wrapped up a film shoot and was resting alone in her caravan. According to the actress, an assistant director working on the film unexpectedly entered her private space without seeking permission. The situation escalated when he immediately removed his shirt to reveal a tattoo of her name on his chest.
“I was so shocked by the incident that my hands and legs started trembling,” Aggarwal stated, detailing her immediate reaction to the intrusion. While acknowledging that the tattoo stemmed from a place of admiration, she firmly emphasised the violation of personal boundaries. “It was completely inappropriate for him to enter when a woman was alone without taking permission. No matter how big a fan someone is, such behaviour is unacceptable,” she asserted, adding that she warned the individual that such actions could lead to criminal consequences before asking him to leave.
Kajal Aggarwal Choosing South Films Over Bollywood
Beyond the personal encounter, Kajal Aggarwal, who was born on June 19, 1985, and is currently 41 years old, also shed light on her career trajectory, explaining her strategic focus on the South Indian film industry. She highlighted that her primary criterion for choosing projects is the quality of work over sheer quantity. “The quality of work I was getting down South was not something I was getting in Bollywood. The roles that I wanted… my priority was quality over quantity. South cinema was giving me those opportunities in abundance, so why would I do average roles in Bollywood?” she explained. She further clarified that language has never been a barrier in her professional choices.
Aggarwal also pointed out a significant cultural difference between the two industries, particularly regarding professionalism. “Bollywood should learn punctuality from the South. In Hindi films, nothing happens on time. In the South, people work by the clock. I am used to reaching the set on time, and I like that discipline,” she remarked. She even recalled an instance where superstar Salman Khan made her wait the longest on a set, leading her to utilise the downtime for gym workouts.
Furthermore, Aggarwal praised the evolution of female character portrayals in South Indian cinema. “The industry is now writing stronger and more liberal roles for women. They are no longer obsessed with female navels,” she commented. The actress was last seen opposite Shreyas Talpade in The India Story.