She began her career with only hit films, worked with every major star of the 90s, and yet one small role from her early days still remains her biggest regret.
Published: October 14, 2025 11:19 AM IST
There was a time in Bollywood when beauty queens effortlessly transitioned into cinema, but few managed to charm audiences the way Juhi Chawla did. Known for her expressive eyes and radiant smile, Juhi made a mark from the very start of her career. After winning the Miss India title in 1984, she made her acting debut in 1986 and quickly became one of the most beloved actresses of her generation.
However, before her rise to superstardom, Juhi was once offered a role that she would later wish she had turned down, a brief appearance in Yash Chopra’s 1989 romantic drama Chandni.
What was Juhi Chawla’s role in Chandni?
Chandni remains one of Bollywood’s most iconic romantic films, featuring Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor, and Vinod Khanna in leading roles. But not many remember that Juhi Chawla was also part of the film’s cast.
According to IMDb, Juhi played Vinod Khanna’s wife, a role that was small but emotionally significant. Her character dies early in the story, leaving Vinod’s character grief-stricken. Unfortunately, many of Juhi’s scenes were reportedly edited out of the final version, leaving her screen time limited to just a few moments, including a brief bedroom sequence and an appearance in the song Lagi Aaj Sawan Ki Phir Wo Jhari Hai.
The focus of the song remained largely on Sridevi, with Juhi’s presence being fleeting. Reflecting on it later, Juhi admitted that she regretted taking on such a small role so early in her career.
Why did Juhi regret doing Chandni?
For an actress who had just started, Chandni could have been a major opportunity. Yet, Juhi later confessed that the role left her disappointed. Since most of her scenes were cut and her appearance was brief, she felt that the film did not do justice to her potential.
Her character’s short-lived presence went largely unnoticed by audiences. In her own words, Juhi once said she wished she had waited for a stronger role instead of settling for a fleeting part that was overshadowed by the film’s bigger stars.
How did Yash Chopra later make it up to her?
Despite her regret, Juhi’s performance didn’t go unnoticed by the legendary filmmaker. Yash Chopra was reportedly impressed by her natural charm and screen presence in Chandni.
A few years later, he cast her as the lead heroine in his 1993 psychological thriller Darr — a film that went on to become a blockbuster and one of the most defining movies of Juhi’s career. Starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Sunny Deol, Juhi’s performance as Kiran cemented her place among Bollywood’s top actresses of the 90s.
Juhi Chawla’s journey after Chandni
After Chandni, Juhi never looked back. She delivered one hit after another, from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke to Ishq and Yes Boss. She worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Rishi Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Sunny Deol, creating an era defined by her charm and effortless acting.
Interestingly, before entering films, Juhi was also in talks to play Draupadi in the television epic Mahabharat, but destiny had bigger plans for her.
Today, she continues to be admired not just for her films but also for her grace, intelligence, and long-standing legacy in Indian cinema.
Highlights:
- Juhi Chawla once regretted playing Vinod Khanna’s wife in Chandni due to her brief screen time.
- Yash Chopra later cast her as the lead in Darr, which became a career-defining success.
- The 1984 Miss India remains one of Bollywood’s most iconic and beloved actresses.
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