A busy 2025 is in store for Kajol, who has three projects lined up. The actor’s first offering of the year, Sarzameen, which also stars Ibrahim Ali Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, was to release over the Republic Day weekend. But a change in Khan’s debut plans has had a ripple effect on Kajol’s line-up. Sources say that with Nadaaniyan set to be the youngster’s launch vehicle, Karan Johar’s production Sarzameen has been delayed by a few months.

An insider tells us that Sarzameen, helmed by Kayoze Irani, was wrapped up by the end of 2023. “The film revolves around the sensitive topic of terrorism in Kashmir, with Ibrahim essaying an intense character. Karan, who has backed both Sarzameen and Nadaaniyan, felt it would be better to launch Ibrahim as a romantic hero and lined up director Shauna Gautam’s Netflix rom-com for a summer release. That also gives Kayoze the time to revisit his film, as Karan wants certain tweaks in it. The Kajol and Ibrahim-starrer will release probably in late 2025,” says the insider.

As a result, Kajol’s first release of the year will be Maa. Vishal Furia’s directorial offering is currently in post-production.

The source adds, “It’s backed by Ajay Devgn. The superstar-producer has been involved in the creative process, and is planning to take the psychological horror film to the big screen in June or July. Kajol also has Charan Tej Uppalapati’s Maharagni.”

Having collaborated with a host of female actors over the years, Aditya Seal confesses his projects have shaped him. Seal, who has featured alongside artistes like Taapsee Pannu, Manisha Koirala, and Kajol, appreciated them for their “no-nonsense attitude”.

The actor says, “Taapsee, Manisha ma’am, and Kajol ma’am are incredible examples of what it means to stay true to your beliefs and never settle for less than you deserve. They embody strength and resilience. I’ve always believed that women must stand up for their rights, and, as men, it’s our responsibility to support and uplift them, whether in our families, workplaces, or society. Empowered women build a stronger world, and I am proud to stand by them.”

Seal credits Pannu—his Khel Khel Mein co-star—for turning up on set with an “incredible energy”. “She is sharp, and witty, and knows exactly how to elevate a scene. Watching her commitment taught me a lot about precision in performances. Every actress I’ve worked with has brought something unique to the table. They’ve shaped me into a more versatile actor, pushing me to dig deeper into my craft.”

Kajol, who he features with in the upcoming action thriller Maharagni: Queen of Queens, has “an aura of brilliance”. “She brings so much depth to her characters that sharing the screen with her feels like attending a masterclass in acting.”

Maharagni, which also stars Prabhudeva, was a film that “demanded a lot from me, emotionally”. “Kajol ma’am’s support and insights were invaluable. She’s a dream co-star—always encouraging and yet challenging you to be your best.”

In the past, men dominated action roles, but that has changed. After Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Sharwari, Kajol will now wield weapons and perform action-packed scenes. In her upcoming pan-India film, Maharagni: Queen of Queens, Kajol plays a fierce character doing major action sequences.

Helmed by Telugu director Charan Tej Uppalapati, the film—shot it in Hindi and dubbed in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada—is a revenge story with Kajol playing the protagonist, Maya.

A source says, “Kajol’s character rises from Dharavi’s slums and becomes a powerful woman in Maharashtra. A major portion was shot in Hyderabad [from February], with the final leg initially planned for Mumbai in September. After a change in plans, she shot one of the biggest action scenes on a specially constructed set in Hyderabad last month.”

The makers are keeping the high-octane action sequence under wraps to surprise the audience. “Kajol has used weapons, hand-to-hand combat, and kicks in the movie. The massive action sequence is choreographed by Peter Hein of Pushpa franchise and Devara fame. Kajol has rehearsed hard for each scene,” adds the source.

German stunt coordinator Florian Hotz, known for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), has choreographed the other fights along with Telugu action director Naga Venkat Naga. The film will wrap up by end of the month.

Kicking ass on screen can be a thrilling affair. Kajol is discovering it as she shoots Maharagni: Queen of Queens, helmed by Telugu director Charan Tej Uppalapati. In May, the actor had unveiled the film’s teaser that saw her in a fierce avatar as she took on baddies single-handedly. On the surface, Maharagni is a revenge story with the protagonist rising against all odds to claim power. There is more to it, promises Uppalapati. He says that at its core, it is a story of women empowerment, while exploring the parent-child bond.

The director, who kicked off the shoot in Hyderabad in February, shares, “In today’s times, women are an avatar of Goddess Durga, and have the qualities of Lakshmi and Saraswati. Kajol plays Maya, a woman who rises from Dharavi’s slums and becomes one of the most powerful women in Maharashtra. The central theme is about loving your parents. Through the movie, we want to tell the audience to take care of their parents.”

In her three-decade-plus career, Kajol flirted with Tamil movies with Minsara Kanavu (1997) and Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 (2017). Maharagni marks her first pan-India offering, with the director shooting it in Hindi and planning to dub it in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. Making it an anticipated project is its powerful cast that includes Naseeruddin Shah, Prabhudheva, Samyuktha Menon and Jisshu Sengupta.

“I wanted to tell a story that everyone across India would connect to. So, I [roped in] actors from different states. Kajol ma’am is leading a [mainstream] action entertainer like this for the first time. When I narrated the script to her, she was excited. I am a director from Hyderabad who has come down to Mumbai to do something; it’s only because of Kajol ma’am’s support and guidance that I could do this. Once she gets into the character, she is immersed in it, and is a fabulous actor. She spends time on the sets and lives the character.”

With a chunk of Maharagni shot in Hyderabad, the unit will begin the final schedule in Mumbai next month. Uppalapati is particularly excited about presenting his leading lady in an action avatar for the first time. “Kajol prepped [hard] for the action sequences. For me, action has to make sense and [go beyond] looking good. There should be an emotion behind each action set-piece.”