There was a time when just the mention of her name brought smiles. Kajol—the unapologetically fierce, quirky, beloved queen of the ‘90s—was once Bollywood’s darling. But the charm is cracking, and this time, it’s not the critics who are speaking.

It’s the public. And they’re angry.

A recent video, barely 23 seconds long, is now setting the internet ablaze. In it, Kajol can be seen exiting a fashion event in Mumbai. Surrounded by flashing cameras and fans holding out phones and posters, she walks past them with a stiff expression, no smile, no wave—just a dismissive glance and a hand gesture that some described as “disgusted.”

Within hours, the backlash began.

“Who does she think she is?”
“This isn’t 1998 anymore, Kajol.”
“Another Jaya Bachchan in the making. Rude and entitled.”

The comment sections were brutal.

Twitter (now X) became a war zone. Hashtags like #KajolAttitude, #DisrespectfulCelebrity, and #JayaBachchan2.0 began trending. What started as a moment of irritation turned into a cultural referendum on how celebrities treat the very people who made them stars.

One user wrote:
“We grew up watching Kajol in ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.’ She felt like family. But today she acts like she’s above everyone.”

Another added:
“The way she looked at the fans—like they were insects. Is this the same Kajol who once danced barefoot on stage during rain? Where did she go?”

What’s more shocking is the comparison that keeps coming up—Jaya Bachchan. Known for her frequent clashes with paparazzi and terse responses to media questions, Jaya has often been called “the least media-friendly celeb” in India. Now, fans say Kajol is walking the same path.

But was it just a bad day, or something deeper?

Insiders from the event claim Kajol had already been “irritated” after multiple photographers breached her personal space during a backstage moment. “She asked them twice to keep distance,” a crew member shared. “But they kept following her even off stage. She wasn’t rude initially—she just snapped when it got too much.”

Still, the public isn’t buying it.

Celebrity behavior has become a hot-button topic in India’s digital age. With fans having direct access to behind-the-scenes content, every eyebrow raise, every shrug, every whispered comment is now under scrutiny.

And in Kajol’s case, this isn’t the first time.

Earlier this year, she walked out of a press conference when a journalist asked her about nepotism. In another instance, she refused to pose for a fan selfie at the airport and was caught on camera saying, “This isn’t the time or place.”

At the time, fans defended her. “She’s human,” they said. “She deserves space.”

But this time feels different.

Why?

Because the video wasn’t a paparazzi ambush. It was a red carpet moment. She was there to be seen. And yet, she acted like she didn’t want to be.

Is Kajol tired of fame—or just tired of pretending to enjoy it?

A film critic who has followed her career closely commented:
“Kajol has always been fiery. That’s part of her charm. But somewhere along the way, that fire turned into frost. She’s no longer the relatable star next door. She’s becoming distant, guarded… and unfortunately, arrogant.”

For the younger generation, who know Kajol more from Instagram Reels and “Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives” cameos than from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the actress seems less like a legend and more like a legacy they never bonded with.

Meanwhile, Kajol has remained silent.

No statement. No apology. Not even a cryptic Instagram Story.

But maybe the silence says it all.

Is she unfazed by the backlash—or simply unwilling to explain herself to a public she no longer feels connected to?

Veteran stars in Bollywood often struggle to maintain relevance without coming across as aloof. Kajol’s recent appearances, while still glamorous, have lacked the warmth that once defined her persona.

“She used to laugh with her whole face,” one longtime fan tweeted. “Now, it’s just a polite smirk.”

Adding fuel to the fire, an old video of Jaya Bachchan scolding a cameraman during a Diwali party resurfaced online—only this time, fans edited Kajol’s face into the clip. The message was clear: the internet had made up its mind.

Yet, not everyone is ready to cancel Kajol.

Some fans are calling for compassion. “We expect celebrities to be perfect every single second,” one post reads. “Maybe she’s going through something. Maybe she was just overwhelmed. Can’t we give her the benefit of doubt?”

But in the ruthless court of public opinion, forgiveness is rare. And forgetfulness? Even rarer.

For now, Kajol faces a stark reality: the very people who once adored her are beginning to turn away.

Not because she aged.

Not because she faded.

But because she forgot how to make them feel seen.

And in a world ruled by perception, one cold glance is all it takes to shatter decades of love.

The fall from grace isn’t always loud.

Sometimes, it’s just the silence after a fan calls your name—and you don’t look back.