 Kajol made her acting debut with the unsuccessful romantic drama Bekhudi ( 1992 ) , while still in school . She quit her studies to pursue acting , and had her first commercial successes with the thriller Baazigar ( 1993 ) . She subsequently rose to prominence by playing the lead female role in several romantic dramas , including Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge ( 1995 ) , Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya ( 1998 ) , Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha ( 1998 ) , Kuch Kuch Hota Hai ( 1998 ) , and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham ... ( 2001 ) . Kajol also garnered critical acclaim for playing against type in the 1997 mystery film Gupt : The Hidden Truth and the 1998 psychological thriller Dushman . Following a sabbatical from full @-@ time acting in 2001 , Kajol returned to films with the 2006 romantic thriller Fanaa , and continued working infrequently thereafter , playing leading roles in the dramas U Me Aur Hum ( 2008 ) , My Name Is Khan ( 2010 ) , We Are Family ( 2010 ) , and the comedy @-@ drama Dilwale ( 2015 ) . She , thus , established herself as one of India 's most successful actresses . 
