Kajol wishes Tanuja on her 83rd birthday: 'OG rule breaker and trendsetter'
Synopsis
On Tanuja's 83rd birthday, Kajol skipped the formal tribute and went straight for the heart — hashtags, a forehead kiss, and a cheeky line about getting the age 'thrown in her face'. It is a rare personal window into one of Bollywood's most celebrated mother-daughter relationships, and a reminder of a screen legacy that stretches from the 1960s all the way to the present generation.
Key Takeaways
Kajol posted a birthday tribute for her mother Tanuja on 23 September 2026 , marking Tanuja's 83rd birthday .
The post featured candid photographs and hashtags including #rulebreaker, #trendsetter, and #motherextraordinaire.
Tanuja , born 23 September 1943 , is the daughter of actress Shobhana Samarth and younger sister of legendary actress Nutan .
She is known for films including Jewel Thief , Haathi Mere Saathi , and Anubhav , and worked extensively in Bengali and Marathi cinema.
Tanuja married filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee in 1973 ; they are parents to Kajol and actress Tanishaa Mukerji .
Shomu passed away in 2008 .
Actress Kajol marked her mother and veteran actress Tanuja's 83rd birthday on 23 September 2026 with a warm social media tribute, sharing candid photographs and a string of affectionate hashtags that quickly drew attention online. The post offered a rare, personal glimpse into the bond between two of Indian cinema's most recognisable names.
The Birthday Post
Sharing a series of candid images with her mother, Kajol wrote: 'Happy birthday to the OG :- #rulebreaker #trendsetter #fashionicon #redlipsticklady #motherextraordinaire #strongestwomaniknow #bestteacher #bestsmileintheworld Love u always and forever ;) now u can legitimately throw that 83 in my face.'
The first photograph shows the two actresses sharing a warm moment, both smiling widely for the camera. A second image captures Kajol leaning in to plant a kiss on her mother's forehead — an intimate moment that resonated widely with fans.
Who Is Tanuja
Tanuja, born on 23 September 1943, comes from one of Indian cinema's most prominent families. She is the daughter of actress Shobhana Samarth and the younger sister of legendary actress Nutan. Beginning her career as a child artiste, she went on to establish herself as one of the leading actresses of the 1960s and 1970s, appearing in films such as Hamari Yaad Aayegi, Memdidi, Chand Aur Suraj, Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi, Jewel Thief, Haathi Mere Saathi, Anubhav, and Mere Jeevan Saathi. She also worked extensively in Bengali and Marathi cinema.
Family Background and Personal Life
Tanuja married filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee in 1973, after the two met on the sets of Ek Baar Muskura Do. The couple later separated but continued to co-parent their two daughters — Kajol and actress Tanishaa Mukerji. Shomu Mukherjee passed away in 2008.
A Legacy That Endures
Tanuja's career spans more than six decades, bridging the golden era of Hindi cinema and its contemporary chapter through her daughters. Kajol's tribute underscores how deeply the actress's influence — both personal and professional — has shaped a family that remains at the centre of Bollywood's cultural conversation. As Tanuja turns 83, her legacy as a performer, style icon, and matriarch appears as vivid as ever.
Point of View
She carved her own path across Hindi, Bengali, and Marathi cinema without the infrastructure of modern celebrity. What mainstream coverage tends to miss is how this matriarchal line — Samarth to Nutan and Tanuja, then to Kajol and Tanishaa — represents one of the longest unbroken acting lineages in Indian film history. That Kajol chooses Instagram informality over formal tribute is itself a generational statement about how legacy is carried forward now.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kajol post a birthday tribute for Tanuja?
Kajol shared a social media post to celebrate her mother Tanuja's 83rd birthday on 23 September 2026, describing her as an 'OG rule breaker', 'trendsetter', and 'mother extraordinaire'. The post included candid photographs and a personal, humorous caption.
How old is actress Tanuja in 2026?
Tanuja turned 83 on 23 September 2026. She was born on 23 September 1943 and has had a career spanning more than six decades in Hindi, Bengali, and Marathi cinema.
Who is Tanuja and why is she significant in Indian cinema?
Tanuja is a veteran Indian actress known for films like Jewel Thief, Haathi Mere Saathi, and Anubhav, prominent in the 1960s and 1970s. She is the daughter of actress Shobhana Samarth, younger sister of Nutan, and mother of Kajol and Tanishaa Mukerji, making her part of one of Indian cinema's most storied families.
Who are Tanuja's children?
Tanuja has two daughters — actress Kajol and actress Tanishaa Mukerji — from her marriage to filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, whom she married in 1973. The couple later separated; Shomu Mukherjee passed away in 2008.
What films is Tanuja best known for?
Tanuja is best known for Hindi films including Jewel Thief, Haathi Mere Saathi, Anubhav, Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi, and Mere Jeevan Saathi, as well as her work in Bengali and Marathi cinema across the 1960s and 1970s.
