On Monday, Juhi Chawla turned 56. Juhi expressed her amazement at the longevity of most of her colleagues in a 2014 interview with Rediff. Recalling her “foolish decisions,” the actor said that she turned down Raja Hindustani, which went on to “become a blockbuster.” Karisma Kapoor starred opposite Aamir Khan in the film. Juhi went on to say that Karisma’s rise to fame was entirely her fault.
Speaking about her regrets, Juhi has stated, “I didn’t work with Madhuri Dixit on a project before their 2014 film Gulaab Gang. “The only time I got a chance to work with her (Madhuri Dixit) was in Dil Toh Pagal Hai. Back then I didn’t want to play the second lead to Madhuri. At that time I was a little bubble-headed (laughs). You make foolish decisions. I rejected Raja Hindustani and Judaai (1997 film starring Sridevi in lead role) also. All these films went on to become blockbusters. I am responsible for Karisma Kapoor’s stardom (Raja Hindustani was a pivotal role in her career).”
Juhi was questioned about naming Madhuri her adversary and their relationship in the 1990s during the same interview. Then Juhi had stated, “Not only Madhuri, but Karisma (Kapoor), Manisha (Koirala), Raveena (Tandon) – we were all rivals. The rivalry remained for some years. We used to meet only on occasions like some film sets or functions. We would just exchange pleasantries and wouldn’t talk beyond that. We all worked in solo heroine films. Very rarely have I done films with two heroines. There were constant comparisons.”
Raja Hindustani, starring Dharmesh Darshan, debuted in theaters in 1996 and enjoyed great success at the box office. The chemistry between Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor, who played the lead roles, made the film work; their on-screen kiss became a major talking point.Popular Raja Hindustani songs, sung by Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, and others, include Poocho Zara Poocho, Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein, Pardesi Pardesi, and Tere Ishq Mein Nachenge.
Filmmaker Dharmesh Darshan reportedly suggested Juhi Chawla for the starring part in Raja Hindustani, but she declined. In a recent conversation with Lehren Retro, Dharmesh provided additional context for the events that transpired at the time.
Dharmesh averred, “She (Juhi) turned to me and said, ‘But you’re not Sooraj Barjatya (Hum Aapke Hai Koun director).’ Something came on to me, I have a big ego, and I said, ‘You’re not Madhuri Dixit.’ On that little thing, she said no to the film.”
