Yesteryears' actress Tanuja may not have reached

Mumbai's stellar skyline, as far as her popularity was concerned, but she had elegance, style and piquancy that very few actresses of her times possessed.

It is that style, class and piquancy that sets apart daughter Kajol from the rest of her contemporaries.

Born to the producer-actress duo of Shomu Mukherjee and Tanuja on August 5, 1975, Kajol grew up in an influential setting. Her father and uncles ruled in the arena of producing films and her mother, Tanuja, aunt Nutan and grandmother Shobhana Samarth were established actresses par excellence.

Her childhood, with sister Tanisha, was very normal and healthy. There was no dearth of happiness. 'We had toys, outings, studies, everything we could ask for' revealed the actress in an interview. Though in her growing up years she saw her parents split, it did not really affect her, she says.

Kajol took up films more as a hobby pursuit than a career choice. Rooted firmly in a family of film people, Kajol has strong financial support. Therefore, the actress was fortunate to never having to compromise on the kind of films she wanted to do for the sake of money.

The pre-requisites of a Bollywood actress, like a light complexion, dancing abilities, a slim and slender silhouette, chiseled features, all this Kajol did not enjoy. But she was an individual who did not fear to voice her thoughts and opinions, had loads of confidence, and oozed talent.