Juhi Chawla has always been known for her charm and lively presence on screen. Whether it’s a serious role or a comedy, she has won the hearts of audiences with her performances. In the 1990s, Juhi was one of the most popular and successful actresses in Bollywood. However, there was a time when her growing fame made her overconfident, and she ended up saying no to some major films – decisions she later came to regret.
Juhi Chawla began her career in Bollywood with a small role in the 1986 film Sultanat. But her big break came with the hit film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, where she starred opposite Aamir Khan. Her role in the movie was widely praised, and she even won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Throughout the 90s, she gave many hit films such as Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Darr, and Ishq. Later in her career, she also played more serious roles in films like My Brother Nikhil, which were praised by critics.
In an old interview with film critic Rajeev Masand, Juhi Chawla admitted that she had let success get to her head. She shared that she had turned down major films like Raja Hindustani and Dil To Pagal Hai — both of which later became blockbusters and helped shape Karisma Kapoor’s career.
Juhi revealed, “I became pig-headed. I thought the industry would stop if I didn’t work. I got some amazing chances, but my ego came in the way.” She explained that she only wanted to work with people she was comfortable with and wasn’t ready to take on challenging or competitive roles. This led her to miss out on some big opportunities.
One of the films she turned down was Raja Hindustani, which eventually starred Karisma Kapoor opposite Aamir Khan. The film was a huge hit and helped Karisma reach new heights in her career. Juhi was also offered Karisma’s role in Dil To Pagal Hai, which starred Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit. That film too was a blockbuster, and Karisma even won a National Award for her performance.
Looking back, Juhi jokingly said that she was responsible for Karisma Kapoor becoming a star. “I made stars out of everybody else,” she laughed, while reflecting on how her choices shaped others’ careers.
Today, both Raja Hindustani and Dil To Pagal Hai are seen as iconic Bollywood films. Though Juhi missed out on being part of them, she continues to be remembered for her many beloved roles and her bubbly screen presence.
Most recently, Juhi Chawla appeared in Netflix’s Friday Night Plan, showing that she’s still active and loved in the entertainment world.
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