Pooja Ruparel’s life changed overnight after playing Kajol’s teenage sister, the spunky, vivacious Chutki in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). While the role is still etched in people’s minds, the former child actor has not had an active career in the film industry due to the dearth of good opportunities.

“The other day, I was hanging out with some friends and they called my character (in DDLJ) ‘cult’. It is heartening to know that my character lives on even after so many years. It was very different from what other children were playing at that time,” Ruparel, now 40, says.

One would expect that after being a part of such an iconic film, she would have transitioned into a busy actor as an adult. However, if not totally away, the actor has not been active in the industry. “It’s a misconception that I stayed away from films. Sadly, films stayed away from me. It’s about good work. Not just doing work for the heck of it,” she says.

Ruparel, who appeared in films such as X: Past Is Present (2015) and Amit Sahni Ki List (2014), continues, “I haven’t stayed away from acting. I have stayed away from bad work. My whole life, [I’ve stayed away from] any work that is regressive. When I was growing up there was a lack of parallel cinema. Even now, I am waiting to be part of the film industry. I don’t want to do just run-of-the-mill stuff. I have a Masters degree in psychology. I would be a hypocrite to do the saas-bahu kind of films. I want to do work that resonates with me and adds to the social fabric,” she explains.

Branching out a little further in the entertainment industry, Ruparel has forayed into something she considers “more challenging” — stand-up comedy. The actor explains, “Anger drove me to comedy. I was ranting one day and my friend told me I was really funny when I am angry. It is very hard to do comedy, much harder than drama. It was a challenge for me to see if I can express myself in the least possible words.”

But at the end of the day, a good script is what she is looking forward to. “While waiting for good acting work to come my way, I explored five careers. Currently, I am writing something, which I would like to present to an OTT. I am also just getting over the grief of the loss of my mother and grandmother. I lost them both last year. Time is very relative when you are in a state of grief,” she ends.

In a career spanning almost three decades, actor Kajol has done more than 30 films, but the one title which shines more than any other is Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ; 1995). This timeless classic turns 25 today, and its leading lady feels it remains so because everyone identifies a little with Simran and Raj, played by Shah Rukh Khan. “I think they just like these characters a lot! It’s one of those things that you will probably always like,” Kajol, 46, beams.

When asked about her character which went on to become synonymous with her, she confesses she found Simran a little “boring”. “But I recognised her. I realised there is a bit of Simran in almost everyone we know. There’s always that desire to do the right thing... You want to get that approval, that feeling that you are doing something right in the world. So, yes, Simran was like that. I thought she was a little old-fashioned but cool,” she says.

DDLJ marked Aditya Chopra’s debut as a director, and the actor is all praise for him. “He doesn’t take on a project if he isn’t absolutely convinced about it. That sets him apart. He is not willing to let go of that basic core conviction that he has in his characters and he knows them best.” That the film would be this monumental in her career is something Kajol wasn’t expecting. She says the only thing they were sure about is that they were making a “cool” film, that’d hopefully be a hit. “We were all crossing our fingers that the music would do well, etc. but I don’t think any one of us ever realised the kind of impact DDLJ would have on people,” Kajol exclaims.

I always knew it would be a special film. Indian cinema can be categorised as before and after DDLJ. The most important thing was that before this, the couple would elope in a film if the parents were against their relationship. When the film released 25 years back, I met so many youngsters who wanted their father to be like my character.

I was 13 when I played the role of Chutki. There was a young energy on the set. DDLJ being Adi’s first love, there was freshness in his point of view, and it was all very ahead of its time. I don’t know if we realised that, because at that point, you’re just making a film and hoping for the best. I didn’t think for a second that it’d enter into Guinness Book of World Records.

Itne saalon mein bhi logon ka pyaar kam nahi hua. Late Yash Chopra ji was a big filmmaker and we used to be surprised seeing him do everything, from being the AD to spotboy on set. Pam bhabi (Pamela Chopra, Yash Chopra’s wife) would set up the toys in Kajol’s room, bring things from her own kitchen to be used in film. Dil se banai gayi film thi, successful honi hi thi.

Though I shot for 25 days, when I watched the film I was barely there. So back then, it felt bad. But, it feels nice to do even a small part in a historical film. While shooting, food would come from Yash ji’s house, and everyone would sit together to eat. There used to be a happy atmosphere on the set. In between shots, we would also play cards.

I knew Anupam from National School of Drama and our characters had a cute romantic angle. We all used to eat together. None of us thought that the film would become a milestone, these things just happen.

My experience was surreal. There was no entourage while we travelled for shoot, it was like a family. I didn’t know I was working with so many greats. SRK showed me the way on set. We all are still good friends.

I almost didn’t get the part as Armaan Kohli was short-listed for it. But I went to Adi and insisted for a screen test. It was my and Adi’s first film, and we were all so pumped up.