Forever Young - Divya Bharti
Divya Bharti passed away at the age
of 19. After just two years in films, she’d proved herself to be an
A-list star. Rachit Gupta records the highs of her effervescent career
Vishwatma (1992)
This
Rajiv Rai follow up to Tridev was not just the magnum opus of Hindi
films in 1992, it was the main event in Divya’s career. Vishwatma was
choc-a-bloc with A-list stars, almost every cinema buff was dying to
catch a glimpse of the much-touted Nairobi schedule and the songs were
chartbusters. Ask anyone and they’ll hum Saat samundar (featuring
Divya’s dancing talents in full glory) better than the National Anthem.
And why not, since it’s remixes are still hot favourites in clubs around
the country. The film was a moderate success at the box office and it
brought Divya Bharti more than a dozen film offers she couldn’t refuse.
Dil Hi To Hai (1992)
One
of Divya’s earliest releases, this then new-age love story set in the
midst of societal class divide turned out to be average box office fare.
Divya shared screen space with established big-ticket names like Jackie
Shroff, Kader Khan and Amjad Khan and left quite an impact. Her
sugar-sweet looks and ability to dance made her an instant sweetheart
not to mention the poise she displayed while standing up to baddies
Gulshan Grover and Raza Murad.
Dil Ka Kya Kasoor (1992)
One
of Divya’s most veritable assets as a commercial heroine was her
ability to dance. Dil Ka Kya Kasoor featured Divya as a budding poet and
her co-star Prithvi as a charming singer. No wonder then that the film
was a musical extravaganza and Divya was at her best singing, frolicking
and flashing her million-dollar smile.
The film also had its
fair share of tragedy as Divya’s character was shown affected with
cancer. She sailed through the melodrama as easily as she charmed the
audiences with her smile.
Shola Aur Shabnam (1992)
Reportedly,
it was during Shola Aur Shabnam that Divya fell in love with her soon
to-be husband and filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala. But off screen stories
aside, David Dhawan’s Shola Aur Shabnam was classic masala fare. Divya
seemed at ease switching between comedy and romance as she matched
Govinda step to step. Particularly memorable were the scenes of conflict
between NCC cadet boys headed by Govinda and the girl guides headed by
Divya.
Jaan Se Pyaara (1992)
The idea of Govinda juggling
between two roles, one of a hard-boiled and on-the-edge cop Jai and the
other of a mentally challenged and slightly podgy Sunder, had all the
trappings of a campy comedy. But even as Jaan Se Pyaara borderlined the
silly, Divya managed to hold her own. She played Govinda’s love interest
with her usual élan and even though the film didn’t do as well at the
box office, it certainly maintained Divya’s status quo of working with
A-list stars.
Deewana (1992)
Going by movie lore, Deewana
was more about a certain Mr Shah Rukh Khan and his first big impact on
the silver screen. But that doesn’t take anything away from the fact
that Deewana was one of Divya Bharti’s biggest hits and it added to her
box office value.
Divya seemed at ease sharing screen space with
Rishi Kapoor. She also matched SRK’s manic intensity emotion to emotion.
She fit perfectly into the character of a woman dealing with the loss
of her husband. Also part of the deal were her dashing good looks that
earned her the title of one of B-town’s most beautiful as well as a
Filmfare trophy for the Face Of The Year.
Balwaan (1992)
By
the time Balwaan hit theatres Divya was already the toast of the town
and demanding pay cheques thicker than Sunil Shetty’s biceps. She
deserved them because along with Sunil’s bursting anger, bulging muscles
and action star persona, Divya’s presence was a big factor in making
the film a hit.
Divya was the established star in the film where
Sunil was making a debut and quite naturally her characterisation and
screen presence were notable.
Dushman Zamana (1992)
Playing
the female lead alongside a new and happening Armaan Kohli had its
advantages. For starters, Divya had ample screen time playing a rich and
bold young girl. Even as her character juggled between fancy dresses
and big luxury cars, Divya’s big eyes and naïve face endeared her to the
audience. And then there was the usual stand to be taken against the
autocratic father played by Paresh Rawal.
Even though Dushman
Zamana did nothing spectacular at the box office, Divya managed to win a
million more fans with her upped glam quotient.
Dil Aashna Hai (1992)
The
buzz was already sky high when Hema Malini announced that she would
direct a multi-starrer. So when she cast Shah Rukh Khan and Divya Bharti
along with Jeetendra, Dimple Kapadia and Amrita Singh, expectations
rocketed through the roof. But the film’s progressive theme ensured the
film drew a positive response only from a niche audience.
Divya
however managed to surprise everyone with her role. She played a
courtesan in search of her real mother and managed to pull through a
fine performance. Her character was feisty, bubbly, outspoken and
resolute all at the same time.
Kshatriya (1993)
JP Dutta
loved to assemble star casts and Kshatriya had superstars by the dozens.
Sunil Dutt, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt were
all wrestling for screen space. And amidst all those giants a demure but
most charming Divya managed to sneak in a strong performance.
Kshatriya
was basically like an ego massage for male cine buffs what with Rajput
machismo overflowing in every scene of the film but Divya managed to use
her big beady eyes to good effect as she sashayed around Sanjay Dutt.
Rang (1993)
Rang
was released shortly after Divya passed away. It was the story of a man
named Ajay (Jeetendra) and the love triangle that involved his
daughters played by Ayesha Jhulka and Divya. The film had a young Kamal
Sadanah as the lead opposite Divya.
The film had an ample number
of romantic songs between Divya and Kamal and it was a rather regular
fare. Though the film’s USP was that it featured Divya it didn’t flatter
the box office.
Shatranj (1993)
The multi-starrer
Shatranj was the last official Divya Bharti movie released in the
theatres. The film featured Jackie Shroff, Mithun Chakraborty, Juhi
Chawla and Kader Khan apart from Divya. The film was inspired by Chalti
Ka Naam Gaadi and like the original was a regular family comedy.
Divya
again was at ease doing bits of comedy interspersed by romantic scenes
with Mithun. The talking point of the film was that this would be the
last time film buffs would see the beautiful Divya Bharti on the big
screen.
- By Rachit Gupta
