Not just Do Patti, these films too wasted Kajol¡¯s potential

Kajol recently suffered a massive setback when Do Patti received negative reviews after it premiered on Netflix on October 25. The Shashanka Chaturvedi-directed thriller featured the powerhouse performer in the role of a cop and marked her second collaboration with Kriti Sanon. The two previously collaborated for Dilwale which hit screens in 2015.

Do Patti featured an intriguing premise that dealt with the sensitive issue of domestic abuse and carried a strong message but failed to do justice to Kajol¡¯s abilities as the characters lacked depth. To make matters worse, the screenplay felt disjointed and outdated.

Interestingly, this isn¡¯t the first time a director has squandered Kajol¡¯s potential. The past decade, in particular, hasn¡¯t been a good one for Kajol on this front. Here is at the times filmmakers struggled to utilise brand Kajol

Dilwale (2015): SRK- Kajol¡¯s weakest film

Rohit Shetty¡¯s action-comedy Dilwale became the talk of the town prior to its release as it marked Kajol¡¯s seventh collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan. Fans expected the two to set the screen on fire the way they had in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. This, however, did not happen as their track was undercooked and eventually pulled down the film.

To make matters worse, the film itself felt like a rehash of Amitabh Bachchan¡¯s Hum. The brutal yet rushed flashback scene also didn¡¯t save the day as it failed to add depth to their characters. Kajol and SRK looked gorgeous in the Gerua song but their scenes did not make the desired impact.

Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 (2017): A lifeless sequel

Kajol, who made her Kollywood debut with Minasara Kanavu (1997), returned to the Tamil film industry with the much-hyped Velaiilla Pattadhari 2. The film, a sequel to the cult action-comedy VIP (2014), piqued the curiosity of fans as it marked her first collaboration with National Award winner Dhanush and featured her in the role of a no-nonsense boss.

Despite a few promising scenes between the performers, the film failed to match the standards set by the first part as its relatively one-dimensional storyline lacked an emotional core. The fact that it had shades of the Rajinikanth-led classic Mannan further diluted its impact.

Helicopter Eela (2022): Where¡¯s the depth?

Helicopter Eela had the potential to be a light-hearted yet emotional tale about a mother who tries to bond with her college-going son while fulfilling her own dreams. It, however, ended up being a predictable attempt at that storytelling that worked in parts but lacked consistency. The screenplay failed to explore the dynamics between Kajol and her reel son in depth. Moreover, the narrative relied more on gags than genuine character development, making it difficult even for Kajol to elevate the Helicopter Eela beyond a point.

Kajol, meanwhile, is gearing up for the release of Maharagni: Queen Of Queens. The action-thriller features her alongside Prabhudeva. Going by its teaser, the film will feature an intense narrative featuring intense sequences and twists. It remains to be seen whether Maharagni: Queen Of Queens proves to be a gamechanger or a misstep for Kajol.