Rethinking Marriage—Kajol’s Bold Call for Expiry Dates and Renewals

Rethinking Marriage - Kajol’s Bold Call for Expiry Dates and Renewals  

In a recent episode of Two Much With Kajol and Twinkle, Bollywood actress Kajol sparked a lively debate by suggesting that marriages should come with an expiry date and a renewal option. Her statement, “We don’t have to suffer for too long”, was delivered during a playful segment called This or That, but it carried a serious undertone that has since ignited conversations about the nature of commitment and the evolving expectations of relationships.  

Kajol, who has been married to actor Ajay Devgn for over two decades, argued that the institution of marriage often assumes permanence without accounting for the reality that people change over time. She questioned the guarantee of marrying the right person at the right time, noting that a renewal clause would allow couples to reassess their bond periodically. In her view, this would prevent individuals from feeling trapped in relationships that no longer serve their growth or happiness. 

Twinkle Khanna, her co-host, countered with humor, saying, “No, it’s marriage, not a washing machine,” while actors Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon also disagreed, preferring the traditional view of lifelong commitment.  

The idea of an expiry date for marriage may sound radical, but it resonates with broader cultural shifts. Modern relationships are increasingly defined by choice, flexibility, and emotional well-being rather than rigid social expectations. Divorce, once stigmatized, is now more openly accepted as a path to personal freedom. 

Kajol’s proposal reframes this conversation: instead of seeing separation as failure, it positions reassessment as a natural and even healthy process. Much like renewing a contract, couples could consciously decide whether to continue, renegotiate, or part ways without shame.  

Experts have noted that reassessing relationships can actually make them stronger. Periodic reflection encourages partners to communicate openly, address unresolved issues, and realign their goals. It creates space for growth and prevents complacency, which is often cited as a silent killer of intimacy.

In this sense, Kajol’s suggestion is less about dismantling marriage and more about redefining it as a dynamic, evolving partnership.  

Of course, critics argue that expiry dates could trivialize marriage, reducing it to a transactional arrangement. The symbolism of “forever” carries emotional weight, and many believe that enduring challenges together is what gives marriage its depth. Yet Kajol’s perspective highlights an undeniable truth: not all relationships are meant to last indefinitely, and forcing permanence can lead to prolonged suffering.  

Her comments have struck a chord because they challenge the romanticized notion of eternal love while offering a pragmatic alternative. 

In a world where careers, identities, and aspirations shift rapidly, perhaps it is time to accept that relationships, too, may need structured opportunities for renewal. 

Whether society embraces this idea or not, Kajol has succeeded in pushing the conversation forward, reminding us that love should be a choice, not a sentence.