Four Generations Of Stardom: The Film Family Still Ruling Bollywood

If you carefully examine Bollywood actress Kajol’s family tree, you will realise that its history is nothing short of a cinematic saga. Her family includes numerous actors, filmmakers, and storytellers. Kajol is a cousin of actress Rani Mukerji, with both having inherited the legacy of acting and cinema. Let’s introduce you to the members of this illustrious family.

Rattan Bai – Kajol’s Great-Grandmother: At a time when women appearing in films was frowned upon, Rattan Bai took a bold step into the world of cinema. She was one of the pioneering female figures in the Indian film industry and paved the way for her family.

Shobhana Samarth – Kajol’s Grandmother: Like Kajol’s grandmother, Shobhana Samarth was also connected to the world of cinema. She was a prominent actress during the 1940s and 50s, best remembered and loved for her portrayal of Sita.

Kajol’s maternal grandfather, Kumar Sen, was a filmmaker who played a significant role in shaping Indian cinema’s storytelling.

Kajol’s Paternal Grandfather Shashadhar Mukherjee: Shashadhar Mukherjee was a filmmaker and one of the founding members of Filmistan Studios. He produced many blockbuster films in the 1940s and 50s.

Nutan and Tanuja – Kajol’s Aunt and Mother: Nutan, daughter of Shobhana Samarth and Kumar Sen, is well known and was a National Award-winning actress. She delivered hits alongside stars like Sunil Dutt and Amitabh Bachchan and was one of the top actresses of her era.

Kajol’s mother, Tanuja, was known for her diverse roles in films such as Prem Rog and Haathi Mere Saathi.

Shomu Mukherjee and Tanuja: Shashadhar had six children, one of whom was Shomu Mukherjee, who married Tanuja. The couple had two daughters: Kajol and Tanishaa.

While Tanishaa’s career did not take off, Kajol has been one of Bollywood’s leading actresses since the 1990s and continues to work actively today.

Kajol married Ajay Devgn, one of Bollywood’s wealthiest actors, who also manages his own production house and VFX work.

Nutaan’s Family: Tanuja’s sister Nutan married Rajnish Behl. Their son, Mohnish Behl, Kajol’s cousin, also pursued a career in Bollywood, working as an actor in films and television, often playing villainous roles.

Dev Mukherjee’s Family: Another of Shashadhar Mukherjee’s sons, Dev Mukherjee, was a director. His son, Ayan Mukerji, is also a director, known for films like Brahmāstra, Wake Up Sid, and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. He is Kajol’s cousin.

The Relationship Between Rani Mukerji and Kajol: Kajol’s father, Shomu Mukherjee, and Rani Mukerji’s father, Ram Mukherjee, were first cousins. Like Kajol, Rani has been a top actress, starring in acclaimed films such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Mardaani. Rani Mukerji is married to Aditya Chopra, one of the industry’s leading producers and son of legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra.

Meanwhile, Kajol's cousin Sharbani Mukherjee also appeared in Bollywood and regional films.