Actor Kajol has spoken candidly about feeling emotionally unprepared when she married Ajay Devgn at the age of 24, admitting that she was still figuring out who she was and what she wanted from life.

In a recent interview with Nayandeep Rakshit, Kajol said she entered marriage without a clear sense of identity or expectations. “I really didn’t know what I was doing. I was just 24 years old… I had no idea what I was supposed to do, who I was supposed to be,” she said, describing the emotional confusion she felt at the time.

Navigating family expectations

Kajol also spoke about her initial discomfort with traditional expectations surrounding in-laws, particularly the idea of immediately addressing her mother-in-law as “mummy”. “Why? I already have a mother,” she recalled thinking, reflecting a hesitation many young brides experience but rarely articulate publicly.

She credited her mother-in-law for handling the situation with sensitivity. Kajol said she was never pressured to conform instantly. “She said when it happens, it will happen on its own — and it happened,” the actor shared, highlighting how patience helped build an authentic bond rather than a forced one.

Support after motherhood

The actor also recalled how her mother-in-law became a crucial support system after the birth of her daughter Nysa, especially when Kajol wanted to resume work. “If you want to work, then you definitely should,” she remembered being told — words she said made a lasting impact.

Mental health expert Sonal Khangarot noted that feeling lost after marrying young is extremely common. “At 24, you’re still becoming who you are, and suddenly you’re expected to be someone’s emotional anchor,” she said, adding that non-judgmental family support can ease this transition significantly.

Redefining emotional boundaries

Experts say Kajol’s experience reflects a larger reality in Indian marriages, where unspoken cultural scripts often exist. Allowing space for individuality, open conversations and emotional permission — especially for women balancing marriage, motherhood and ambition — can make the difference between adjustment and quiet distress.

Kajol’s reflections have resonated with many for normalising uncertainty and highlighting how empathy within families can help young couples grow into marriage rather than feel trapped by it.