Bollywood actress Kajol feels that when a film like Wonder Woman is made for Indian audiences and turns out to be as successful at the box office as Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, Indian cinema will witness pay parity. She was speaking on the sidelines of the 2023 Jagran Film Festival in New Delhi.
When she was asked when will pay equality be achieved in the film industry, Kajol said audiences have become "much more literate" today thanks to social media and exposure to global content through streamers.
“India is progressing... They watch a lot of different types of cinema thanks to social media and OTT. We are thinking better, hoping for better. When you start making a Wonder Woman for India and it does equally well as a Pathaan, then maybe there will be pay equality," she said.
The award-winning actress also revealed how a project that she was supposed to do with celebrated filmmaker Mani Ratman slipped out of her hand as she had allocated her dates to shoot filmmaker Karan Johar’s directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
"I was supposed to shoot for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and at that time, I got an offer from Mani Ratnam to do a film for him. First of all, I didn't believe I got an offer from Mr Ratnam. But things didn't work out because I had committed those dates to Karan for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. A lot of people told me 'You should have done Mani sir's film'. At that time, I felt that my commitment was more important and it worked in my favour," she recalled.
Speaking of changing times, Kajol said film personalities have lost their mystery due to the access enabled by social media.
"Everything is on social media. Film stars no longer shine bright in the sky, they now walk among us. They are now grounded people. That is the biggest change, I feel. In a way, it's good. In a way, it's something we have lost. It depends on how you look at it. As far as cinema goes, it will always be a reflection of society," she said.
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Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner during the Knicks vs Pacers playoff game
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner spark buzz with courtside PDA at Knicks game
The New York Knicks may have won Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers, but it was Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner who truly stole the spotlight at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. Sitting courtside among a sea of celebrities, the couple’s very public display of affection became the real talking point of the evening, with videos of their kiss flooding social media.
Cameras captured the duo leaning in close, whispering, kissing, and holding hands while seated next to actors Miles Teller and Ben Stiller. Chalamet, in a blue-and-orange Knicks jacket inspired by Patrick Ewing, looked completely at ease next to Jenner, who kept it sleek in a white top, leather trousers, and a Knicks cap. The two looked more like a couple on a romantic night out than high-profile guests at a tense playoff game.
Online reactions were swift and fierce. Some joked that Chalamet was whispering spoilers for Dune: Part Two, while others compared the couple to overly affectionate teens in a school hallway. Criticism also surfaced, with users questioning Jenner’s absence from her children’s lives during such outings. Still, many were amused and intrigued by their chemistry.
Chalamet, a known Knicks fan and frequent attendee, has been spotted courtside multiple times throughout the playoff season. Jenner joined him earlier this month for a game against the Celtics, though their PDA was more subdued then.
Their latest appearance marked Jenner’s return to MSG, and this time, the couple didn’t hold back. After the Knicks clinched the win, the two were seen celebrating in the Garden’s back hallways, high-fiving fans and soaking in the playoff energy. Jenner raised her arms in triumph as she ran past the Knicks dancers, while Chalamet cheered with fans along the tunnel.
The pair, who went public with their relationship in late 2023 after being spotted at a Beyoncé concert, have slowly become regulars at major events, walking red carpets and appearing at festivals together and their appearance at the Knicks game was no different.
And fans are now playfully noting a trend: the Knicks are undefeated whenever Jenner shows up. Coincidence? Perhaps. But it’s certainly working for now.