Mumbai: Bollywood actress Kajol has landed in controversy after refusing to speak in Hindi during a recent public appearance in Mumbai. The incident, which quickly gained traction on social media, has now drawn the attention of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a party known for its hardline stance on linguistic issues in Maharashtra.
A video of the event, now widely shared on X (formerly Twitter), shows Kajol addressing the audience in Marathi and English. However, when a journalist requested her to speak in Hindi, the actress appeared visibly irked and declined. The clip was later posted by MNS’s official social media handle, drawing criticism and igniting a fresh round of debate on language politics in the state.
MNS Takes a Swipe
MNS, which has long opposed the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra, used the clip to highlight its stance. “Kajol refused,” the party wrote, attempting to showcase her actions as an endorsement of Marathi pride. The irony, however, did not go unnoticed as the party itself has been accused in the past of using aggressive means to enforce the use of Marathi.
६० आणि ६१ व्या महाराष्ट्र राज्य चित्रपट पुरस्कार सोहळ्यात अभिनेत्री काजोल यांना राज कपूर विशेष योगदान पुरस्कार प्रदान करण्यात आला. त्यानंतर त्यांनी माध्यमांशी मराठीत संवाद साधला, त्यावर काही हिंदी पत्रकारांनी हिंदीत पण बोला असा आग्रह धरला त्यावर त्यांनी ठामपणे नकार दिला…… pic.twitter.com/TqmmuSi6o5
— MNS Adhikrut – मनसे अधिकृत (@mnsadhikrut) August 6, 2025
Online Reactions Mixed
Social media was quick to polarize over the incident. While some praised Kajol for promoting Marathi, others slammed her for appearing dismissive of Hindi—a language that helped catapult her to Bollywood stardom. One user commented, “If speaking Hindi is so shameful, maybe she should stop working in Bollywood.” Another wrote, “She became a star because of Hindi cinema, and now she’s playing politics with language. Disgraceful.”
However, supporters defended her linguistic choice. A user named Prabha wrote, “Kajol was honored at the Maharashtra State Film Awards and chose to speak Marathi. It’s a reflection of her respect for cultural diversity and her pride in the Marathi language.”
Kajol’s Statement Fuels Fire
Kajol’s exact words—“Now should I speak in Hindi? Whoever understands it, will”—were perceived by many as dismissive. Critics argue that such a tone alienates a large part of the audience that adores her for her roles in Hindi-language films.
Political Undertones
The controversy comes at a sensitive time. Kajol’s husband, actor Ajay Devgn, recently launched the trailer for his upcoming film Son of Sardaar 2. During the event, when asked about the ongoing Hindi-Marathi debate, Devgn cheekily responded with a line from a popular Marathi film: “Ata majhi satakli” (Now I’ve lost it), suggesting he’d rather not wade into the issue.
As the language debate in Maharashtra continues to resurface time and again, Kajol’s incident has once again thrown fuel on the fire. Whether it was an innocent slip or a calculated stand, the actress now finds herself at the center of a growing cultural and political storm.