Kajol and Rani Mukerji's Unspoken Bond: From Silent Distance to Shared Loss

Despite being cousins, Kajol and Rani Mukerji had a "silent distance" during Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Their relationship grew closer after shared personal losses.

Written by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: December 11, 2023

Summary: Karan Johar said that despite being cousins, Rani Mukerji and Kajol were far away from each other during Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and their relationship was never on friendly terms. He said he found it strange.

Karan Johar hosted Kajol and Rani Mukerji on this week's episode of Koffee With Karan, and while the episode had almost a Kuch Kuch Hota Hai reunion vibe, the two actors also spoke about their long-standing relationship off-screen. Kajol and Rani are cousins and Rani made her debut when Kajol was already a popular film star. In the episode, Karan said that he had always wondered why the two actors were not close despite being family. Kajol explained that there is a certain "organic distance" between the two.

Karan said the two had "no close friendship or relationship at all", adding that Kajol "maintains a quiet distance from her (Rani)". “I always wonder, what kind of family is this family?” They don't even talk to each other. They are cousins and I thought everything would be fine,” he said. Rani explained that she had known Kajol since they were children and admitted that their relationship was "a little weird". "For me, she was always Kajol didi," she added. Rani said it's always a little difficult to decipher why people become estranged as they get older, and although she has some distance from Kajol, she has a relationship with Kajol's sister Tanisha Mukherjee. She added that they have remained close to this day.

When Karan asks how they became close and developed a relationship in later years, Rani replies that it actually happened when they lost her father. I think when you lose a loved one in your family, it brings everyone closer together,” Rani said. I was very close to Kajol's father, Rani said. Barring Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kajol and Rani Mukerji have never played lead roles in the same film.

Kajol maintained a "quiet distance" from her cousin Rani Mukerji during the filming of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Karan Johar reveals in the latest episode of Koffee With Karan Season 8 revealed. Karan revealed that despite being cousins, Kajol and Rani were not cousins. They were close when they started their film careers, but now things have changed.

"There was no deep friendship or relationship back then, right? Karan asked Kajol and Rani. "Despite being part of the family, there was no rishta (relationship). Neither did you (Kajol). I kept a quiet distance from her. I always wondered, "What kind of family is this?" I think it was just an organic distance, to be honest. Work-wise, we both like where we are. ”