When Sonam Kapoor revealed she was mocked for facial hair, but Kajol’s unibrow motivated her: ‘She is the biggest heroine...’

Sonam Kapoor has always been known for her candid statements and bold fashion choices. But not many know about the tough time she had growing up. In a past interview, the 'Neerja' actress opened up about facing hurtful comments because of her facial hair and weight gain, all caused by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). But what gave her hope during that difficult time was actress Kajol.
‘I was traumatised’: Sonam on her teenage struggles

Before she became the stylish star of films like ‘Aisha’ and 'Khoobsurat', Sonam was just a teenager struggling with a medical condition. She was diagnosed with PCOS, earlier called PCOD, a hormonal issue that many young women face. The condition caused her to gain weight, develop facial hair, and suffer from acne.

Talking about this difficult phase in her life, the 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' actress shared her story on Barkha Dutt’s Mojo Story. She said, “I had something called PCOS. They used to call it PCOD, but they’ve changed it now. Because of that, I had multiple hormonal issues. So, I put on weight when I was 16 years old, which is when you’re supposed to be your ‘prettiest’. I had facial hair, I broke out in acne, and I had people tell me, ‘She’s Anil Kapoor’s daughter’. I was traumatised.”


How Kajol’s unibrow gave her courage

But in the middle of all this pain, Sonam found a surprising source of comfort. It came from her mother – and from actress Kajol, who was a top star at the time. Kajol was known for proudly sporting her natural unibrow, and she never gave in to unrealistic beauty standards.

The 'Raanjhanaa' recalled the moment clearly saying, “At that time, I remember Kajol had a unibrow. She never did her eyebrows. She had hairline hair, and I remember my mom showing me Kajol’s picture, and she was like, ‘Look at her, she’s the biggest heroine right now.’ I remember seeing her and feeling motivated.”

Sonam didn’t let her struggles hold her back. She was later spotted by none other than filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, her life changed when she was cast in ‘Saawariya’ opposite Ranbir Kapoor. The film marked her debut in Bollywood and kicked off her career. On the personal front, Sonam got married to businessman Anand Ahuja on 8 May 2018. The couple later moved to London, where they started a new chapter in their lives. In 2022, Sonam became a mother and welcomed a baby boy.