She Put a Kaala Teeka Behind Kajol's Ear: Jaya Bachchan's Sweet Durga Puja Moment Is Going Viral

The short answer: At Mumbai's North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on Sunday, October 18, veteran actor Jaya Bachchan greeted Kajol by applying a kaala teeka — a small black mark traditionally placed behind the ear to ward off the evil eye — then hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. Cameras caught the whole exchange, and the clip has been shared widely all day.

What happened at the pandal?

Jaya Bachchan arrived at the Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, hosted by the Mukerji family, during the weekend celebrations on October 17–18. When she met Kajol, she greeted her warmly, put a kaala teeka behind Kajol's ears to protect her from the evil eye, and followed it with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. It was a heartfelt moment recorded on camera, and fans quickly picked it up online.

The two had already shared a warm hug a day earlier, during Maha Saptami on Saturday, when Kajol was also seen fixing Jaya's hair in another endearing exchange that did the rounds. Sunday's kaala teeka moment became the bigger viral clip of the weekend.

Why is this moment blowing up?

Part of it is contrast. Jaya Bachchan is famous for her no-nonsense public image, especially around paparazzi at public events — Kajol's sister Tanishaa Mukerji had even jokingly warned photographers ahead of the festivities: "Don't trouble our Jaya aunty this time." Seeing that same Jaya Bachchan in a soft, maternal moment — fussing over Kajol the way an elder in the family would — is exactly the kind of clip people love to share.

The setting helps, too. The North Bombay Sarbojanin pandal, held at the SNDT Ground in Juhu and hosted by the Mukerji family, is one of Mumbai's most-watched Durga Puja celebrations, and Kajol — along with her sister Tanishaa and cousin, filmmaker Ayan Mukerji — is at the centre of hosting it every year. A genuine, unscripted family-style moment in the middle of all that formality stands out.

Who else was there?

Kajol attended with her children, Nysa and Yug, and the family was filmed serving bhog — the festival food offered to devotees — to visitors at the pandal on Maha Saptami and Ashtami. Kajol also posed with Nysa and Yug in front of the idol of Maa Durga, and a sweet moment between Kajol and her son caught fans' attention as well.

Jaya Bachchan posed for photographs with Kajol, Ayan Mukerji and others, and was also seen fixing her daughter Shweta Bachchan's hair in another widely shared clip. Tanishaa Mukerji, Maniesh Paul and Ishita Dutta were among the other familiar faces at the celebrations. Kajol's husband, Ajay Devgn, did not attend the weekend puja. Rani Mukerji, Kajol's cousin, has not yet been seen at this year's festivities.

What is a kaala teeka?

A kaala teeka (also spelled kala tika) is a small dot of kohl or kajal traditionally applied behind the ear, on the foot, or at the side of the forehead — most often to babies and loved ones — in the belief that it wards off buri nazar, the evil eye. Elders applying it is an everyday gesture of protection and affection in many Indian families, which is a big part of why this particular greeting resonated: it read less like a celebrity photo-op and more like something a grandmother or aunt would do at any family puja.

What's next?

Durga Puja celebrations at the pandal continue through the festival's closing days, and the Mukerji family's pandal reliably draws more celebrity visits — and more candid clips — each year. If this weekend is any guide, the moments fans remember most will not be the posed photographs, but the small, unguarded ones in between.

Sources

FAQ

What did Jaya Bachchan do to Kajol at Durga Puja?

She applied a kaala teeka behind Kajol's ears to ward off the evil eye, then hugged her and kissed her on the cheek at the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on October 18, 2026.

Where did the viral moment happen?

At the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal at SNDT Ground, Juhu, Mumbai — the annual celebration hosted by Kajol's family, the Mukerjis.

What is a kaala teeka?

It is a small black kohl mark traditionally placed behind the ear or on the forehead to protect a loved one from the evil eye, or buri nazar.

Who else attended the pandal with Kajol?

Kajol was joined by her children Nysa and Yug, her sister Tanishaa Mukerji and cousin Ayan Mukerji; the family served bhog to devotees during the weekend celebrations.