"Quality Over Quantity": Kajal Aggarwal Speaks Out on Distancing From Bollywood, Calls Out Lack of Punctuality
Prominent Pan-Indian actress Kajal Aggarwal has addressed her deliberate shift away from Hindi cinema, revealing that a preference for substantial roles and strict work ethics drew her closer to South Indian film industries. Speaking candidly during a recent media interaction, the actress emphasised that quality has always taken precedence over quantity, leading her to reject average roles offered in Bollywood.
Punctuality Gap: "Bollywood Should Learn from the South"
Drawing a sharp contrast between the working environments of Hindi and South Indian film industries, Aggarwal called out the lack of adherence to schedules in Bollywood. She noted that while South Indian productions operate strictly "by the clock," Hindi film sets frequently experience unpredictable delays.
"Bollywood should learn punctuality from the South. In Hindi films, nothing is on time. In the South, they work by the clock. I am used to reaching on time and prefer working that way." — Kajal Aggarwal.
When questioned about which superstar kept her waiting the longest on set, Aggarwal named Salman Khan, recounting how she would use the prolonged waiting time to exercise in on-set gym setups while waiting for late afternoon or evening shoots.
Industry Contrast: Kajal Aggarwal's Insights on Work Culture: South operates on strict clock-based discipline vs. flexible Bollywood schedules. Role Selection: Prioritises character depth over screen time; rejects superficial roles. Evolving Roles: South cinema shifting toward progressive, female-led coming-of-age arcs.
Changing Portrayal of Women in South Cinema
Reflecting on evolving industry tropes, Aggarwal expressed satisfaction with how South Indian cinema is increasingly crafting independent, multifaceted roles for female protagonists. She highlighted that the industry has largely moved past outdated objectification and superficial glamour tropes.
Aggarwal reiterated that she consistently drew clear boundaries regarding how she was portrayed on screen, explicitly refusing roles that relied solely on visual tropes.
Upcoming Projects
On the professional front, Kajal Aggarwal will soon be seen in The India Story. Additionally, she plays Queen Mandodari in director Nitesh Tiwari's epic two-part cinematic project, Ramayana.
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