Kajol marks 20 years of Fanaa, recalls braving -27°C in Poland in a thin salwar kameez
Synopsis
Twenty years after 'Fanaa' released, Kajol has revealed what the shoot really felt like — filming in -27°C Polish winters in a thin salwar kameez while the rest of the crew bundled up in goose down. The 2006 Yash Raj blockbuster, the first film to pair Kajol and Aamir Khan as romantic leads, remains one of Hindi cinema's most beloved love stories.
Key Takeaways
Kajol marked the 20th anniversary of 'Fanaa' on 26 May 2026 with a nostalgic post.
She revealed filming in Poland at -27 degrees Celsius in a thin salwar kameez while the crew wore goose-down jackets.
Her daughter Nysa was just two-and-a-half years old during the shoot; son Yug had not yet been born. 'Fanaa' (2006), directed by Kunal Kohli and produced by Yash Raj Films , was the first film to cast Kajol and Aamir Khan as romantic leads.
The film's soundtrack — including 'Mere Haath Mein' , 'Chand Sifarish' , and 'Des Rangila' — remains iconic two decades later.
Bollywood actress Kajol marked 20 years of her romantic drama 'Fanaa' on 26 May 2026 with a nostalgic social media post, sharing rare stills from the film and recounting the punishing cold of the Poland shoot — where she filmed outdoor sequences in a thin salwar kameez at -27 degrees Celsius.
Kajol's Post and What She Said
Sharing stills alongside co-star Aamir Khan and setting the iconic track 'Mere Haath Mein Tera Haath Ho' as the background score, Kajol wrote: '20 years to Fanaa.. my daughter was 2 and a half years old and I was —— but what I remember most was Poland in all its glory.. -27 degrees Celsius, beautiful forests and sleds used on sidewalks..! And off course the fact that I wore a thin salwar kameez while most everyone else was dressed in goose down.. what a blast from the past!'
The post also confirmed that during production, her daughter Nysa was just two-and-a-half years old, while her younger son Yug had not yet been born.
About the Film
Released in 2006, 'Fanaa' was directed by Kunal Kohli and produced by Yash Raj Films. The film starred Kajol as Zooni, a visually impaired Kashmiri woman, opposite Aamir Khan as Rehan, a man whose concealed identity reshapes their love story. The supporting cast included Rishi Kapoor, Kirron Kher, and Tabu in pivotal roles.
The film went on to become one of the biggest box-office successes of that year, earning widespread praise for its music, performances, and emotional narrative.
A Landmark Collaboration
Notably, while Kajol and Aamir Khan had previously appeared together in 'Ishq' (1997), that film paired Kajol with Ajay Devgn and Aamir with Juhi Chawla as their respective romantic leads. 'Fanaa' was thus the first film in which the two were cast as a romantic pair opposite each other.
The Music Legacy
Two decades on, the film's soundtrack remains a cultural touchstone. Songs including 'Mere Haath Mein', 'Chand Sifarish', 'Dekho Na', and 'Des Rangila' are still considered chartbusters and continue to clock streams on digital platforms. The music was a key driver of the film's commercial success and is widely regarded as one of Yash Raj Films' strongest soundtracks of the 2000s.
As 'Fanaa' enters its third decade, Kajol's candid recollection of frozen forests and costume-induced suffering offers a rare behind-the-scenes window into one of Hindi cinema's most beloved love stories.
Point of View
It took a Yash Raj production to finally cast Kajol and Aamir Khan as romantic leads, and the chemistry delivered one of the decade's biggest hits. Two decades on, its soundtrack arguably outlasts its box-office legacy.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kajol celebrating 20 years of Fanaa?
'Fanaa' completed 20 years since its release on 26 May 2026. Kajol marked the anniversary with a social media post sharing stills from the film and personal memories from the shoot, including the challenging Poland schedule filmed at -27 degrees Celsius.
What did Kajol reveal about the Fanaa shoot in Poland?
Kajol revealed that she filmed outdoor sequences in Poland at -27 degrees Celsius while wearing a thin salwar kameez, even as most of the crew were dressed in goose-down jackets. She described the experience as 'a blast from the past,' recalling beautiful forests and sleds on sidewalks.
When was Fanaa released and who directed it?
'Fanaa' was released in 2006. It was directed by Kunal Kohli and produced by Yash Raj Films, starring Kajol and Aamir Khan in the lead roles alongside Rishi Kapoor, Kirron Kher, and Tabu.
Was Fanaa the first film pairing Kajol and Aamir Khan together?
'Fanaa' was the first film to cast Kajol and Aamir Khan as a romantic pair. While both appeared in 'Ishq' (1997), they were paired with different co-stars in that film — Kajol opposite Ajay Devgn and Aamir opposite Juhi Chawla.
Which songs from Fanaa are still popular today?
The film's soundtrack continues to be celebrated two decades on. Songs including 'Mere Haath Mein', 'Chand Sifarish', 'Dekho Na', and 'Des Rangila' are widely regarded as chartbusters and remain popular on digital streaming platforms.
