Remembering Divya Bharti On Her Death Anniversary

Divya Bharti had  a brief  innings of superstardom  before she died suddenly  on 5 April  1993 at age  19.Coincidentally  Shah Rukh’s first two films  starred Divya Bharati.

  Hema Malini’s Dil Aashna Hai  and  not Deewana  was  supposed to be Shah Rukh  Khan’s  debut film.Hema’s initial  release  on  December 18  1992  got delayed  because of  the Babri Masjid demolition  and the subsequent unrest  in  the country. Technically however Dil Aashna  Hai  was SRK’s  first  film.It finally released  on December 25, two weeks late.

Divya Bharti was an instant star.

Recalling how she signed  Shah Rukh  Hema Malini had told me how he met her as a newcomer in Mumbai and when she told him, she was turning director, he insisted on being in the film. “I told  him very bluntly that the film was based on  the girl Divya Bharti’s character. He could play her boyfriend which was a brief role. He insisted on playing the role. I wish I  could give him more to do. Dil Aashna  Hai was  through-and-through the  girl’s  story. Divya was sensational  in  my film.I wish she had  lived much longer . She  would have  touched the  sky,” Hema expressed regret.

 Dil Aashna Hai was ripped off from the Shirley Conan bestselling novel  Lace.

Both SRK’s   debut and sophomore films co-starred Divya Bharati. SRK recalled Divya as hardworking and focused star material.Death snatched  her away before she could get the stardom she deserved. In 1992  Divya had  two  releases  Deewana and  Shola  Aur Shabnam, both superhits.

Divya’s death  affected  at least  12  film that were  underproduction.

Recalls  producer-director Pahlaj Nihalani, “Divya Bharti’s death threw the film industry in  a turmoil. At least  10-12 film with her  in the  lead were on the  floors when she suddenly plunged to  har death. All of them had  to  be scrapped and resumed  from start with another  heroine.Her  death  was  a big loss for the  industry.Whatever she  touched  turned into gold.”

In Laadla, Divya was replaced by Sridevi. In Mohra and Dilwale, Raveena Tandon took her place. In Dhanwan  Divya  was replaced by Karisma Kapoor. In Vijaypath Tabu sang  her way to stardom  with Ruk  ruk ruk after Divya had to be replaced. In Angrakshak Pooja Bhatt replaced the ill fated  actress and in Kartavya it was Juhi Chawla.

Almost all the above films were superhits.

Kajol would not have met her future husband Ajay Devgan if she  had not replaced  Divya Bharti in Hulchul.