Hair: Natasha Britto Makeup: Naima Rahimtulla Styling: Karishma Gulati Photography: Ram Bherwani Jewellery: NM CREATIONS
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You graduated from Sydenham College, Mumbai with a specialization in HR. You then went on to winning the Miss India Pageant and represented India at the Miss Universe Contest. How did acting happen to you? Was it your heart felt desire to enter the film industry? Introduce us to a day in your routine?
Ms. Juhi Chawla:
Some anecdotes for college years but I’ll have to start from school, because somewhere when I look back, it’s amusing to see how life kind of unfolded. So I was in my 7th Std & I was the youngest member of the cast, it was inter-house school dramatics time, I was in the Yellow house & the yellow house was staging a play which was a spoof on Bollywood films. So the name of the play was ‘Mala meri Jaan’ & they gave me the role of Mala, so I was playing the title role of Mala. I was most excited. So we did our rehearsals, then came the day of the event & this play was staged & what happens. We came last & I didn’t get even a little prize for what I’d done.
Then we go off into college & then again there was an inter-college dramatics taking place. So I had also signed up for it. They had just about begun rehearsals for it & they were shortlisting the actors. I was keen to take part. For some reason I had to leave town for a family wedding in Delhi, I told the committee that I’ll be back & I want to act. I went to Delhi & by the time I came back & this was in Sydenham college, they had actually struck me off the list. I was not in any play. My one chance of being on stage was taken away from me. Then Ironically as I moved on in life, I became an actress which is really amazing.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Your first major role in Bollywood was in “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” in 1988, alongside Aamir Khan, which garnered you great critical appreciation. A critic wrote “Though most people credit Aamir, this film is a classic more because of Juhi. Her charm and charisma including her “next-door girl” image created a phenomenon in India; Her plain yet so elegant salwar-suits or her innocent smile that made people crazy.” It won the Filmfare Best Movie Award, and you won the Filmfare Award for Lux New Face of the Year. How was your experience doing the film? Do you believe that this film was a rolling stone in your career?
Ms. Juhi Chawla:
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak where I played this Rajasthani girl who spoke with a hum, which was quite a dignified way of speaking and that made the role very special. It was also of an innocent young girl, which was pretty close to my personality, so I could do it with more ease. It was the foundation stone of my career, what a lovely time we had, laughing, playing games, rehearsing, fighting & shooting in between. I’m ever grateful to Nasirsaab, Mansoor, Aamir, Nuzhat, Anand Milind, Alka, Udit & the entire team.
Hair: Natasha Britto Makeup: Naima Rahimtulla Styling: Karishma Gulati Photography: Ram Bherwani Jewellery: CURIO COTTAGE
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
With increasing age, ones has to take extra care of health and nutrition to stay healthy and fit. What kind of diet do you follow to stay healthy and physically fit? We would like you, to share top 5 health tips with your fans?
Ms. Juhi Chawla:
When I wake up first thing in the morning, I do drink lots of water. I eat everything in moderation as I go about my day…I avoid fried food. I meditate, do yoga in the morning or even go swimming. My go to everyday beauty regime comprises of – Clean your face first, moisturize, put on mascara, finishing powder, lip gloss, blush on and smile a lot.
Yoga has got me focused as well as calmed me down as a person. Overall, it helps me just feel better! After each session of yoga, I feel so refreshed, calm and rejuvenated. It has given me a certain kind of inner strength. A certain self assurance from inside. It has also made me much more flexible! I now adapt more easily to situations and find myself being able to work much better around them, hence yoga has benefited me in a lot of positive ways! Yoga cannot be compartmentalized no matter how and when you begin, as if you are in it, it is like a journey within and every time it takes you one step closer to yourself.