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As this spontaneous and talented Bollywood actor celebrates her 36th birthday, we look at some of her most memorable performances in her 20-year stint

Baazigar

Though Bekhudi was her debut film, Baazigar was her first big hit. Kajol and Shahrukh Khan were both freshers and their careers got a big boost with this one.

Yeh Dillagi

This one was the cute little love story. It saw her alongside already established actors like Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar, but she still managed to steal the show.

Udhar Ki Zindagi

Kajol managed to stun a lot of people with her mature and restrained performance in this film. Udhar Ki Zindagi made it clear to audiences and filmmakers alike that this young girl was here to stay.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

When it released, this Kajol-SRK film brought a wave of romance into Bollywood. People loved the two actors together and they instantly became one of the best onscreen couples of all time. A classic now, Simran (her character in DDLJ) remains one of Kajol’s most memorable roles.

Gupt

Kajol took the risk of playing the bad girl at a time when it was considered a taboo. She surprised one and all by her mysterious killer part and won all the Best Villain awards that year.

Dushman

A revenge story, Dushman was a woman-centric film. Even though it didn’t do wonders at the BO, it will always be remembered for Kajol’s powerful performance.

Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha

Kajol did this film with then beau Ajay Devgn and this was going to be their first film after they started dating. Their earlier action films Hulchul and Goondaraj had tanked and people were looking forward to seeing them in a love story. This turned out be Kajol’s only film with hubby Ajay Devgn to work at the BO. Dil Kya Kare, Raju Chacha, U Me Aur Hum and Toonpur Ka Superhero that came in the following years have failed to do justice to their off screen chemistry!

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Kajol and Shahrukh got back together for the first time after the success of DDLJ. Kajol played a tomboy who becomes coy and feminine over years. She did a brilliant job with the tomboy part and looked beautiful in the sari-clad avatar. She managed to overshadow even the king of Bollywood— SRK!

Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain

This was her last film before she got married in February 1999. Kajol had put on a lot of weight by this time and wasn’t the same young actor we knew. This was a melodramatic film and not much was expected from it. But it became a hit only because of Kajol’s star power and solid performance.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Kajol returned to films after a long gap to star in her friend Karan Johar’s magnum opus. She played the loud and obnoxious Chandni Chowk ki kudi amazingly well and provided comic relief in this dramatic family saga.

Fanaa

Yet again Kajol took almost three years to come back to the big screen. It was the most awaited film of the year as Kajol was being paired with Aamir Khan for the first time. The film wasn’t really appreciated by the critics though it was deemed worth watching only for their individual performances.