5 Times Juhi Chawla Broke Our Hearts This Century

Juhi Chawla, one of Indian cinema's most beloved heroines, turned 54 years old this November 13th. Here's a brief look back at her career and five films any fan of hers should consider watching.

After rising to prominence in the late 1980s, first with the Kannada sleeper hit Premaloka (simulaneously shot in Tamil as Paruva Ragam), she cemented her place in history with the pathbreaking Hindi blockbuster Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. The latter was the first of her several successful movies with Aamir Khan.

Throughout the 1990s, she starred in romantic hits, usually as a sweet-natured, even naive, heroine. These are perhaps the films she will always be most remembered for. However, she's always been able to do a lot more. In the second half of her career, she's both continued to prove herself as a comedy actress and expanded into deeper, more complex roles in parallel cinema.

Clicking on the movie titles will take you to either Youtube or Einthusan.com, where you can watch the movie with English subtitles. They are all often available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, too.

3 Deewarein (2003)

(English meaning - 3 Walls)

Ostensibly a slow-burning thriller about three prisoners who may or may not have been falsely convicted of murder, 3 Deewarein is worth watching for Juhi alone. She plays Chandrika, a psychiatrist trapped in an abusive marriage with an alcoholic. The contrasts and paradoxes inherent in the lives of many domestic abuse victims are perfectly captured; Chandrika is an accomplished professional at work and a vulnerable, fragile woman at home.

In one standout scene, when her vicious husband sneers "If only you were a little bit attractive!", Juhi's face crumples before our eyes. It's almost guaranteed to make you cry, but when you recover you'll immediately realise that if it wasn't for her incredible talent, this scene would be laughable. Almost no other actress could be so beautiful and still make us believe that she thinks she's ugly.

My Brother...Nikhil (2005)

A tragic tale based on the true story of Dominic D'Souza, My Brother...Nikhil explores the life of Goa's first HIV patient. After his diagnosis, the treatment meted out to Nikhil (Sanay Suri) by legal and medical professionals, is horrifying. He is put in solitary confinement in a rundown former TB sanatorium and treated like a pariah. On top of that, his parents reject him and leave town to escape the shame of having a son who is both gay and supposedly a threat to everyone around him.

His sister, Anamika, bravely stands by him and fights for his freedom. Given another chance to display her emotional range, Juhi soars; from happy-go-lucky sister in the early part of the film, through heartbroken and alone, to strong, brave and determined, there's hardly an emotional state she doesn't go through. Complete with stellar performances from the rest of the cast and a beautiful main song, Le Chale, My Brother...Nikhil, is a film that merits being watched more than once.

The film is available on Youtube with English subtitles (if they don't appear automatically, click 'CC' in the bottom right of the video).

Paheli (2005)

(English meaning - Mystery)

Paheli, an epic story of a ghost's love affair with a spurned wife, would have been a great film in any case. Starring Rani Mukerji and Shah Rukh Khan, it really has it all: undying love, great music and a star cameo from Amitabh Bachchan. That said, Juhi's turn as Gajrobai is the perfect icing on the cake.

Like Rani's character, Lachchi, Gajrobhai has been abandoned and neglected by her husband. She hasn't seen him for several years because he has gone far away to assist with his father's business. Gajrobhai's yearning for him and conflicting emotions about the 'return' of Kachchi's husband - an understandable mix of envy and happiness for her sister-in-law - are beautifully conveyed by Juhi's subtle expressions.

Bas Ek Pal (2006)

(English meaning - Just A Moment)

I have to be honest and say I found Bas...Ek Pal an odd film for about 30 minutes. It very much does what is says on the tin, exploring the impact of one dramatic, fateful moment on the lives of four people. Although the lead-up to that moment is not particularly gripping, I really recommend you stick with it; it gets really really good. The plot is full of unexpected twists and will keep you glued to your seat.

Juhi once again captures the strange psychology of an abuse victim, by turns brave, resourceful, terrified and irrational. There's no happy ending, but then sometimes there isn't in real life either.

I Am (2012)

I Am is a collection of four short films linked by the theme of fear. Playing the eponymous character in 'Meghna', Juhi is an exiled Kashmiri Pandit travelling back to her hometown for the first time in two decades. There she meets her childhood friend, Rubina, and tries to reconcile herself with the suffering they have all endured. It's a quietly moving role in a fascinating anthology.

Other segments feature Rahul Bose as a victim of homophobic violence, Sanjay Suri as a sexual abuse survivor, and Nandita Das as a single woman who wants IVF.

I hope you enjoy these films as much as I did!

Not in the mood for a tragic storyline? Check out 5 of Juhi Chawla's Best Comedy Performances instead!