<p>Fear should not override the spirit of celebrating life, says Kajol about her upcoming feature <em>Salaam Venky</em>, a film she initially was unsure about becoming a part of.</p>.<p>Helmed by actor-director Revathy, the movie is inspired by the true story of the young chess player Kolavennu Venkatesh, who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). He died in 2004.</p>.<p>Kajol, who is a mother of two, said working on <em>Salaam Venky</em> drew so much out of her that she shot the majority of the scenes without glycerine.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/tahira-kashyap-on-self-doubt-and-realisation-there-is-a-lot-of-acceptance-towards-myself-1166174.html" target="_blank">Tahira Kashyap on self-doubt and realisation: There is a lot of acceptance towards myself</a></strong></p>.<p>"It's not the kind of film that you can ever do without feeling. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to do the film because it's a subject that is everyone’s nightmare. It was difficult for me to say yes to it.</p>.<p>"The great thing about Revathy is she made it easy as we were in the same situation day in and day out and it takes that fear away, besides <em>Salaam Venky </em>is written so beautifully. It is a celebration of life and the film teaches you that life should be a celebration,” the 48-year-old actor told <em>PTI</em> in an interview here.</p>.<p>DMD is a genetic disorder which causes skeletal and heart muscle weakness that gets worse with time. Venkatesh's death sparked a debate about euthanasia, commonly known as mercy killing, in India.</p>.<p>Asked about her views on euthanasia, Kajol responded with a dialogue from <em>Salaam Venky</em>: "One has the right to live and die with dignity."</p>.<p>"I am in two minds over it not because of anything else, but because we know humanity and there are a lot of people who would take advantage of a law like that. It's a questionable thing for sure," she said.</p>.<p>The actor further said many people realised the importance of living life to the fullest during the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit India in March 2020.</p>.<p>From wearing pyjamas to enjoying a car ride in the city whenever she stepped out, she has found joy in the simplest of things.</p>.<p>"We were all in the same frame of mind and right now. We are in a Venky frame of mind: we want to live large here and now. We want to enjoy every moment," she added.</p>.<p>Like her character, Kajol said she too has fears in real life but believes in overcoming them.</p>.<p>"Your deepest fears usually are not related to anything that's actually going to happen... I hope and pray that whatever happens, I still love myself at the end of the day.</p>.<p>"That my children still respect me, whatever my decisions may be. I'm pretty sure about everything else but I take responsibility for things. Whatever happens will happen and I will cross the bridge when I come to it."</p>
<p>Fear should not override the spirit of celebrating life, says Kajol about her upcoming feature <em>Salaam Venky</em>, a film she initially was unsure about becoming a part of.</p>.<p>Helmed by actor-director Revathy, the movie is inspired by the true story of the young chess player Kolavennu Venkatesh, who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). He died in 2004.</p>.<p>Kajol, who is a mother of two, said working on <em>Salaam Venky</em> drew so much out of her that she shot the majority of the scenes without glycerine.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/tahira-kashyap-on-self-doubt-and-realisation-there-is-a-lot-of-acceptance-towards-myself-1166174.html" target="_blank">Tahira Kashyap on self-doubt and realisation: There is a lot of acceptance towards myself</a></strong></p>.<p>"It's not the kind of film that you can ever do without feeling. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to do the film because it's a subject that is everyone’s nightmare. It was difficult for me to say yes to it.</p>.<p>"The great thing about Revathy is she made it easy as we were in the same situation day in and day out and it takes that fear away, besides <em>Salaam Venky </em>is written so beautifully. It is a celebration of life and the film teaches you that life should be a celebration,” the 48-year-old actor told <em>PTI</em> in an interview here.</p>.<p>DMD is a genetic disorder which causes skeletal and heart muscle weakness that gets worse with time. Venkatesh's death sparked a debate about euthanasia, commonly known as mercy killing, in India.</p>.<p>Asked about her views on euthanasia, Kajol responded with a dialogue from <em>Salaam Venky</em>: "One has the right to live and die with dignity."</p>.<p>"I am in two minds over it not because of anything else, but because we know humanity and there are a lot of people who would take advantage of a law like that. It's a questionable thing for sure," she said.</p>.<p>The actor further said many people realised the importance of living life to the fullest during the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit India in March 2020.</p>.<p>From wearing pyjamas to enjoying a car ride in the city whenever she stepped out, she has found joy in the simplest of things.</p>.<p>"We were all in the same frame of mind and right now. We are in a Venky frame of mind: we want to live large here and now. We want to enjoy every moment," she added.</p>.<p>Like her character, Kajol said she too has fears in real life but believes in overcoming them.</p>.<p>"Your deepest fears usually are not related to anything that's actually going to happen... I hope and pray that whatever happens, I still love myself at the end of the day.</p>.<p>"That my children still respect me, whatever my decisions may be. I'm pretty sure about everything else but I take responsibility for things. Whatever happens will happen and I will cross the bridge when I come to it."</p>