In the 1998 comedy Duplicate, Juhi Chawla played opposite Shah Rukh Khan, who was playing two different characters. This was a perfect role for Juhi as she was able to leverage her comedic talents in a complex amd entertaining story.
Juhi Chawla was born on 13 November 1967 in Ambala, Haryana, India. In 1984, she was crowned Miss India and she went on to the Miss Universe Contest where she won the Best Costume Award. She made her debut in the 1986 film Sultanat alongside Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Sridevi, Amrish Puri, Shakti Kapoor, Tom Alter, and Karan Kapoor. She has worked in more than 90 films - including 19 with Shah Rukh Khan and 10 with Aamir Khan - and has the ability to play a wide range of character types, from fun and frivolous to deep and dramatic.
When you watch a Juhi Chawla film, you find yourself charmed by the mischievous glint in her eye and her authentic smile. Here are 5 Juhi Chawla films to watch if you are new to Bollywood.
1. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
English Title: "From Doom to Doom"
Release Date: 1 March 1988
Director: Mansoor Khan
Music by: Anand-Milind
Description: Romantic drama. Raj (Aamir Khan) is the son of Dhanraj Singh (Dalip Tahil). Rashmi (Juhi Chawla) is the daughter of Thakur Raghuveer Singh. Despite the history of bad blood between the two families, Raj and Rashmi don't intend to be "the heirs of the hatred" between the families. They elope and find a safe place to live for a time. When they are finally tracked down, the results are tragic. Based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Why I Love This Film: Beyond just the animosity between the two families, Raj and Rashmi struggle with culture wars - the traditional against the contemporary and the culturally defined roles of men and women. At first they try to live within these constraints, but they come to the realization that they must break free to create and experience a new world of their own. While the film is 25 years old, it has a somewhat modern feel to it.
Recognition: The film won numerous awards. Juhi Chawla was awarded Filmfare Lux New Face Award and nominated for a Filmfare Best Actress Award.
2. Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke
English Title: "We Are Travelers on the Path of Love"
Release Date: 5 July 1993
Director: Mahesh Bhatt
Music by: Nadeem-Shravan
Description: Comedy drama. After his sister and brother-in-law die in a tragic accident, Rahul Malhotra (Aamir Khan) becomes the caretaker of their children along with the family garment factory. Vyjayanti Iyer (Juhi Chawla) escapes from her home after being promised in marriage to a man she can't stand. The children meet Vyjayanti at the fair and bring her home when she becomes the family governess. The film is a remake of 1958 Hollywood film Houseboat starring Cary Grant and Sophia Loren.
Why I Love This Film: Vyjayanti is a fun-loving, high-spirited woman who doesn't always follow the rules. As a result, it is easy to fall in love with her - something the children and Rahul find themselves doing. As Rahul finds his life spiralling out of his control, he realizes Vyjayanti is his strength.
Recognition: Won, Filmfare Best Actress Award
3. Darr: A Violent Love Story
English Title: "Fear"
Release Date: 24 December 1993
Director: Yash Chopra
Music by: Shiv-Hari
Description: Psychological thriller. Rahul Mehra (Shah Rukh Khan) is obsessed with Kiran Awasthi (Juhi Chawla) who is in love with Navy hero Sunil Malhotra (Sunny Deol). But Rahul must have Kiran and as he stalks and terrorizes her, he also seeks to destroy Sunil.
Why I Love This Film: Kiran is a kind, gentle and loving person who doesn't understand what is happening to her or why. In Rahul's fantasies she is beguiling and seductive. In the real world, she wisely puts her trust in Sunil and even when things look grim she continues to have faith in him. When Rahul shows up during their honeymoon, she recognizes him as a friend - something he isn't prepared for. Her life-affirming goodness is in stark contrast to Rahul's darkness - which may be why he is drawn to her in the first place.
4. Yes Boss
Release Date: 18 July 1997
Director: Aziz Mirza
Music by: Jatin Lalit
Description: Romantic comedy drama. Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) works for Siddharth (Aditya Pancholi), a womanizer who benefits from Rahul's ability to manage his extramarital affairs. When ambitious model Seema (Juhi Chawla) crosses their paths, they both fall for her. With Rahul's help, Siddharth woes Seema. When his wife begins to suspect he is having an extramarital affair, Siddharth forces Rahul and Seema to pretend to be husband and wife.
Why I Love This Film: Both Seema and Rahul dream big and have high hopes. Sometimes they pursue their dreams at the expense of those around them. At the same time, Seema and Rahul let themselves be manipulated by Siddharth - who appears to be the man who can make their dreams come true. As Seema and Rahul draw closer together, they trade in their old dreams for new ones. What makes this film work is that Seema and Rahul understand each other - and that is their salvation in a situation that goes from bad to worse.
Recogition: Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
5. 3 Deewarein
English Title: "3 Walls"
Release Date: 1 August 2003
Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Music by: Salim-Sulaiman
Description: Drama. Three men are on death row at the Yerwada Central Jail: Jaggu (Jackie Shroff), a lawyer and a poet, for murdering his unfaithful wife while she slept; Nagya (Nagesh Kukunoor), for murdering his wife by pushing her into traffic; and Ishaan (Naseeruddin Shah), for murdering a bank teller during a robbery. Chandrika (Juhi Chawla) comes to the jail to film a documentary about these three men.
Why I Love This Film: "Enslaved by three walls, the fourth, a barrier in my life - break it I must. Leaving behind a hollowness, sighs and screams begging to be free. But free I am. Free is my mind." This isn't your typical Bollywood film - it is more of a slice-of-prison-life film complete with some intense scenes of inmate-on-inmate violence. While Chandrika is uncovering the real stories about each of the men, she is also uncovering her own story, the barrier in her own life, and what she needs to do to change the storyline. The film has a twist at the end which is not totally surprising, but is definitely worth experiencing.
If you like this post, check out our other Friday Five lists.