Kajal Aggarwal explains why she chose south cinema over bollywood
Actress Kajal Aggarwal has successfully balanced her career between the South Indian film industry and Bollywood for nearly two decades. In a recent interview, the actress opened up about why she chose to prioritize South Indian cinema over Hindi films and shared what she believes Bollywood can learn from the South film industry.
Born into a Punjabi family in Amritsar, the 41-year-old actress began her acting journey in Bollywood but eventually found greater success in Telugu and Tamil cinema. Reflecting on her career choices, Kajal said that the opportunities she received in South Indian films were significantly better than those being offered to her in Bollywood.
She revealed that she deliberately avoided signing more Hindi films because the projects she was offered in the South had stronger scripts and more meaningful roles. According to Kajal, she always wanted to portray characters with depth and substance rather than settling for average or routine roles simply to remain active in Bollywood.
“I received the kind of roles I wanted in South cinema,” she explained. “The stories and characters were more appealing, and I did not want to compromise by accepting ordinary roles in Hindi films.”
During the interview, Kajal was also asked what Bollywood could learn from the South Indian film industry. Without hesitation, she highlighted one important quality—punctuality.
According to the actress, professionalism and respect for time are deeply ingrained in the South Indian film industry. She said film shoots in the South operate according to strict schedules, with cast and crew members expected to arrive and work on time.
“In Bollywood, things rarely happen on schedule,” Kajal said. “In South cinema, people work according to the clock. I have always been someone who likes to be punctual, and I appreciate working in an environment where everyone respects time.”
Kajal also recalled her experience of working with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in the film Sikandar. She admitted that she was thrilled to share screen space with one of India’s biggest stars and had been looking forward to the collaboration for a long time.
However, she also revealed that working with Salman Khan introduced her to a very different working style. Kajal said the actor often arrived on set in the afternoon or evening, making her wait for extended periods—a routine she was not accustomed to after years of working in the South Indian film industry.
“He made me wait the most,” she said with a smile. “I wasn’t used to it and kept wondering what was happening. Since he would arrive later in the day, I would spend the waiting time working out in the gym that was available on the film set. I have become accustomed to the discipline and punctuality of South cinema.”
Kajal Aggarwal made her acting debut in 2004 with the Hindi film Kyun…! Ho Gaya Na before achieving widespread fame in Telugu and Tamil cinema. Over the years, she has become one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in the South Indian film industry, delivering numerous commercial successes and earning critical acclaim for her performances.
Despite her success in regional cinema, Kajal has continued to appear in select Bollywood projects while carefully choosing roles that align with her artistic goals.
The actress will next be seen in the upcoming film The India Story, directed by Chetan DK. The film also stars Shreyas Talpade in a leading role and is expected to be one of Kajal Aggarwal’s notable releases in the coming months. Her comments have reignited discussions about the differences in work culture between Bollywood and the South Indian film industry, particularly regarding professionalism, discipline, and the quality of storytelling.
