The story of Juhi Chawla is one of resilience, charm and reinvention. For more than three decades, she has remained one of the most adored stars of Bollywood, winning hearts not only with her radiant screen presence but also with her ability to move seamlessly between careers in cinema, business and sports.
Today, she stands tall not just as a veteran actress but also as one of the richest Indian actresses, with a reported net worth of around Rs 4600 crore.
Juhi Chawla’s journey began when she won the Miss India pageant in 1984, a stepping stone that brought her into the world of films. She made her acting debut with Sultanat in 1986 but the film failed to make an impact. Her true breakthrough came in 1988 with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, opposite Aamir Khan, which turned into a massive hit and established her as a rising star.
The 1990s and early 2000s saw Juhi at the peak of her career, delivering some of Hindi cinema’s most loved films. From the intense drama of Darr to the lighthearted fun of Yes Boss and Ishq, she proved her versatility and became one of the leading actresses of her time.
Her bond with Shah Rukh Khan extended beyond films. Together, they co-founded the production house Dreamz Unlimited, which gave them creative control over projects like Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000). Though not a commercial hit, it showed Juhi’s determination to explore new roles behind the camera as well. Years later, the two also became co-owners of Kolkata Knight Riders, one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League, reflecting her interest in sports and entrepreneurship.
Away from the screen, Juhi’s personal life was marked by her marriage to industrialist Jay Mehta in 1995. At that time, she kept the marriage private, fearing it might affect her rising career. In past interviews, she admitted that she worried about losing opportunities just as she had found her footing in Bollywood. The couple has two children together and has largely kept family life away from the limelight.
Her friendship with Shah Rukh Khan has remained one of her closest bonds in the industry. She even stepped in during a difficult time for his family, signing a Rs 1 lakh bond in court as guarantor for his son Aryan Khan during the highly publicized drug case, in which he was later acquitted.
While Juhi has taken a step back from mainstream Bollywood, she occasionally appears in films. Her last outing was Friday Night Plan (2023), starring Babil Khan.
Today, her career is defined not only by the memorable characters she portrayed but also by her successful ventures outside films, making her one of the most remarkable and multifaceted personalities in Indian entertainment.
