Rare photos of Juhi Chawla

Juhi's 'Gulab Gang' role was a surprise for her fans,as she played the villain in the film.

At a time when actresses were known to begin to don the bold and beautiful image (early and mid 1990’s), the sweet Juhi Chawla burst on the scene like a breath of fresh air.

The former Miss India (1984), began her incredible Bollywood journey in late 1988, starring opposite then newcomer Aamir Khan in Mansoor Khan’s Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. The film went on to create box office history, and establish its lead stars Aamir and Juhi as the nation’s heartthrobs.

Juhi’s charm and charisma lay in her girl-next-door beauty, and untouched innocence. Her sweet simpering roles in subsequent films like Darr (1993) opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke (1993) were also much appreciated.

Her comic timing too was a revelation, considering most mainstream actresses were wary of the genre. Juhi, however, lapped up the romantic roles with shades of humour wholeheartedly, and gave us unforgettable characters in films like Yes Boss, Deewana Mastana and Ishq. Coupled with her vivacious, commanding screen presence and her innocent seductiveness, Juhi Chawla was the epitome of beauty and class.

In the early noughts, Juhi Chawla however, consciously took a different route in her career. Perhaps she was tired of doing the simple, girl-next-door roles, or perhaps she was disheartened by the failure of her production venture Dreamz Unlimited (with Shah Rukh Khan and Aziz Mirza). Their two films, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Asoka had bombed, and Juhi was looking for a change in direction.

This is why she attempted art house cinema in quite a big way. Her foray into parallel, non-mainstream cinema came with Jhankaar Beats in 2003, and continued with My Brother Nikhil (2005), Bas Ek Pal (2006) and I Am (2011). Juhi also simultaneously tried her hand at Punjabi cinema, and garnered much success.

Juhi, like many actresses, also tried her hand at Television, judging the popular dance reality TV show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in its third season. On the personal front, Juhi Chawla had a fairy tale wedding to industrialist Jay Mehta. Juhi also co-owns an IPL team with husband Jay, in partnership with her best friend Shah Rukh.

While her die-hard fans have been waiting to see Juhi on the big screen Juhi surprised everyone with her role in 'Gulaab Gang'. Juhi played a negative role in the film, while Madhuri essayed the role of firebrand activist Sampat Pal.

Juhi Chawla has always been a lady of poise, grace and a non-controversial heroine with a squeaky clean image. Here’s hoping the lady comes back to Bollywood with a bang, and we see her in never-seen-before roles in the near future!

Juhi with her husband Jay Mehta

Dia Mirza and Juhi Chawla all smiles for the camera.

Juhi and Jay Mehta.

Juhi Chawla and Sanjay Suri

Juhi poses for the shutterbugs

Juhi with Divya Dutt and others

Juhi and Riteish