Ajay And Kajol As Hero Parents: Bollywood’s Fresh Archetype

Bollywood has always been a place where actors reinvent themselves with time. From romantic leads to intense action stars, transitions are part of cinematic evolution. Yet in recent years, Ajay Devgn and Kajol, one of Bollywood’s most beloved couples, seem to have carved out a new identity: that of the hero parents. Films like Shaitaan (2024) and Maa (2025) highlight this trend, with both actors taking centre stage as mothers and fathers battling extraordinary circumstances. When viewed alongside other family-centred films like Ajay’s Drishyam (2015, 2022) and Kajol’s Helicopter Eela (2018), the pattern becomes even clearer, parenthood has become their newest cinematic identity.

Ajay Devgn: The Protector Father

Ajay Devgn has always been known for his intense screen presence. Whether as the no-nonsense cop in Singham or the vengeful father in Drishyam, his strength as an actor lies in portraying controlled emotion mixed with raw power. With Shaitaan, he cemented his position as the ultimate on-screen parent protector. In the film, Devgn plays a father who will go to any extent to shield his family from supernatural evil. The role doesn’t just show physical strength, it also displays moral determination, paternal vulnerability, and emotional endurance. This aligns with Devgn’s earlier parental portrayals, but in Shaitaan it becomes his defining identity.

Kajol: The Fierce Mother

Kajol, on the other hand, has long been celebrated for her fiery performances. From Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to Fanaa, she has balanced vulnerability with strength. In Maa (2025), she takes on the role of a mother who confronts terrifying supernatural forces to protect her child. Critics have described it as one of her strongest roles in years, blending maternal instinct with raw courage. Earlier, in Helicopter Eela, she had also explored motherhood, though in a lighter, slice-of-life genre. The performance in Maa positions her not only as a mother but as a cinematic archetype, a mother who embodies both mythic strength and emotional resonance.

Shared Universe: Maa and Shaitaan

While both films stand alone, recent developments have revealed that Maa is not just another supernatural thriller. Instead, it is part of a larger shared horror universe that began with Shaitaan. Though Maa is not a direct prequel, it is officially a spinoff within the same cinematic universe. The clearest connection comes during the end credits of Maa, where the haunting theme song of Shaitaan plays. At the same time, R. Madhavan’s sinister voice-over returns, directly linking Kajol’s world in Maa with Ajay Devgn’s world in Shaitaan.

This musical and narrative callback isn’t accidental. In cinematic language, the use of a theme song from another film signals a deliberate bridge, confirming that the evil in both movies comes from the same source. This move positions both Ajay and Kajol as central figures in what could evolve into Bollywood’s first fully fleshed-out horrorverse, with sequels and spin-offs already being hinted at by producers.

The Rise of the “Hero Parent” Archetype

Traditionally, Bollywood placed parents in the background: supportive, emotional, sometimes comic. Rarely did they become the driving heroes of the story. That space was reserved for young protagonists fighting for love, honour, or justice. But Ajay and Kajol’s choices in recent years challenge this norm.

Their characters aren’t just guardians, they are the protagonists who wield power, make sacrifices, and shape destiny. By choosing roles that revolve around parental authority and emotional depth, they’re creating a new space in Bollywood storytelling. Here, the parent is the hero, not just a side character.

Possible Motivations Behind Their Role Choices

Why have Ajay and Kajol embraced these roles? The reasons could be layered:

1. Age and Evolution: Both actors are now in their late 40s and 50s. Playing college sweethearts or bubbly lovers no longer feels organic. But portraying parents with strength, wisdom, and moral authority aligns with their age and screen maturity.
   
2. Personal Reflection: Both are parents to Nysa and Yug in real life. Their film choices might be unconsciously reflecting their lived experiences of parenthood. By portraying powerful, protective parents, they could be resonating with their own instincts as mother and father.
   
3. Cultural Demand: Today’s audiences resonate with stories of family, resilience, and sacrifice. The “parent as hero” aligns with Indian cultural ideals of motherhood and fatherhood as sacred roles.
   
4. Franchise Potential: With Maa and Shaitaan tied into one universe, Ajay and Kajol could become recurring anchors in a horror franchise, much like Hollywood’s Conjuring Universe. This gives them not just individual films but a cinematic legacy.
   

How This Shapes Their Legacy

For Ajay Devgn, the shift from action star to protective father adds emotional depth to his career. For Kajol, the move from romantic heroine to mythic mother strengthens her reputation as one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors. Together, they’re not just celebrated as a real-life couple but as cinematic trailblazers shaping Bollywood’s narrative structure.

By embracing “hero parent” roles, they’re also bridging generational gaps. Younger audiences find the supernatural battles thrilling, while older viewers resonate with the parental sacrifices. This cross-generational appeal ensures their continued relevance in a rapidly changing industry.

The Road Ahead: Sequels and Expansions

Industry reports already suggest that Shaitaan 2 is in development, with Ajay Devgn expected to reprise his role. Similarly, Kajol has hinted at the possibility of a Maa sequel, though without confirming Ajay or Madhavan’s direct appearances. What’s clear is that these films aren’t isolated, they’re part of a growing universe that positions parenthood as a site of heroism.

If Bollywood follows Hollywood’s franchise model, audiences may soon see crossovers where Ajay’s and Kajol’s characters directly interact within the same storyline. Imagine a cinematic event where both “hero parents” team up against the ultimate evil, that would be a box office storm.

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Ajay Devgn and Kajol are redefining Bollywood archetypes by becoming the hero parents of Indian cinema. Through films like Shaitaan and Maa, supported by earlier works like Drishyam and Helicopter Eela, they are not only protecting children on-screen but also reshaping narratives where parenthood itself becomes heroic.

The inclusion of Shaitaan’s theme song at the end of Maa cements their roles as central figures in a shared horror universe. Whether motivated by personal reflection, cultural demand, or franchise ambition, one thing is certain: Ajay and Kajol’s cinematic legacy is now deeply tied to the powerful portrayal of parents who are more than caretakers, they are warriors, leaders, and, above all, heroes.

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