Can Kajol Revive Comedy in an Era of Dull Humor?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kajol expresses a desire to return to comedy if the scripts are well-written.
- She critiques the current landscape of comedy for its lack of originality.
- The actress reminisces about the intelligent humor of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's films.
- Kajol prefers subtle and dark comedy over mainstream humor.
- Her upcoming horror film, “Maa,” is set to release on June 27.
Mumbai, June 17 (NationPress) Bollywood actress Kajol, who is preparing for the premiere of her upcoming horror film “Maa,” recently shared her insights on the prevailing state of comedy in the film industry.
Reflecting on the current lack of originality and depth in comedic storytelling, the actress expressed a strong desire to make a comeback to the genre—if the script is intelligent and well-crafted. She believes that her knack for subtle and layered humor could bring a refreshing change in an era filled with repetitive punchlines and broadly appealing jokes. In an interview with IANS, Kajol reiterated her interest in returning to comedy—provided the material is compelling enough.
She highlighted the inherently subjective nature of comedy—what amuses one person may not resonate with another. According to her, the contemporary film landscape often targets a mass audience, neglecting unique or thoughtful perspectives. The ‘Dilwale’ actress pointed out that the same jokes and punchlines are frequently recycled, causing a significant lack of innovation in today’s comedic narratives.
“I would love to explore comedy. I think it would be incredibly exciting, and I believe I would excel at it. Comedy is very subjective—what tickles my funny bone might not do the same for you. Therefore, I think it’s essential to understand that most films today are designed for a broad audience rather than a specific viewpoint. This has indeed transformed the genre. But the same jokes keep resurfacing. I long for a truly well-crafted comedy. I haven’t come across one in ages,” shared Kajol.
The 50-year-old actress reminisced about cinematic treasures from the past, praising the astute humor seen in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s films. She described these films as not only humorous but also intelligent and heartfelt, lamenting the scarcity of such well-crafted comedies in recent years.
While she refrained from naming any recent favorites, Kajol expressed her inclination towards subtle humor, dark comedy, and satire—genres she feels provide a richer comedic experience.
"I found Hrishikesh Mukherjee's films incredibly intelligent. They were genuinely funny and smart. I adore that style of filmmaking, and I wish we saw more films like that today. So, if you ask me about my favorite comedies from the past to the present... honestly, I can't name any at the moment. But I do believe there's a subtler type of comedy that I enjoy more—dark comedy, satire, all of that,” the actress elaborated.
On the career front, Kajol is currently focused on promoting her first-ever horror film, “Maa.” Directed by Vishal Furia, the film is slated for release in theaters on June 27.