Kajol avoids speaking Hindi at a film gathering, inciting ridicule and adverse comments.

Kajol avoids speaking Hindi at a film gathering, inciting ridicule and adverse comments.

Kajol, the renowned Bollywood actress, made a bold move at the Maharashtra State Film Awards 2025 when she chose to speak in Marathi during her interaction with the media. This decision, followed by her sharp response to a request for a Hindi repetition, has sparked a lively debate on social media and beyond.

At the event, Kajol announced her comeback as Noyonika Sengupta in The Trial Season 2. However, it was her linguistic choice that caught the most attention. Initially speaking in Marathi, Kajol's comment was met with mixed reactions, with some finding it rude and disrespectful, while others saw it as a statement of cultural pride.

In her interaction, Kajol responded to a reporter's request to speak in Hindi with "Abhi main Hindi mein bolu?" (Now should I speak in Hindi too?). She followed this with "Jisko samajhna hai woh samajh lenge." (Those who want to understand will understand). This exchange was quickly shared on social media, sparking a viral discussion.

The incident at the Maharashtra State Film Awards, a platform celebrating Marathi cinema, was particularly significant. Kajol's speech in Marathi and English was seen by supporters as a respectful nod to the host language and her roots. Detractors felt that as a Bollywood icon, she should have also accommodated Hindi in public discourse.

The debate ignited by Kajol's linguistic choice reflects ongoing tensions surrounding language preferences in Indian states. Regional languages like Marathi are fiercely protected and promoted, sometimes leading to friction when Hindi—a national language and dominant in Bollywood—is perceived to overshadow regional tongues. Kajol’s stance resonated with Marathi pride and fueled conversations about the balance between Hindi’s pan-Indian presence and regional linguistic identities.

The viral video sparked mixed reactions from netizens. Some criticized Kajol's reaction, saying it was dismissive and rude. Others, however, came to her support, pointing out her Marathi heritage and the celebration of Marathi cinema at the event. Many regional political leaders also supported Kajol's comment during the Maharashtra State Film Awards.

In a notable turn of events, Kajol and her husband, Ajay Devgn, were recently in Switzerland celebrating their daughter Nysa's graduation. Despite the controversy surrounding her linguistic choice, Kajol's personal and cultural statement continues to resonate, symbolizing larger discussions on language politics, cultural respect, and diversity in India’s entertainment industry and society at large.

[1] Source 1 [2] Source 2 [3] Source 3 [4] Source 4 [5] Source 5

1. Amidst the ongoing debate, Kajol's choice to address the media in Marathi at the Maharashtra State Film Awards 2025 not only fueled discussions about cultural pride but also highlighted the significance of regional languages in the entertainment industry, particularly pop-culture and the world of celebrities.
2. The viral video of Kajol's exchange during the Maharashtra State Film Awards sparked a variety of opinions, with some seeing her Marathi speech as a symbol of entertainment that embodies Marathi cinema's essence, while others interpreted it as a commentary on the balance between regional identities and Hindi, a national language often prevalent in Bollywood.

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