Beginning her career down south, Divya Bharti took Hindi film industry by storm with her performances in Shola Aur Shabnam, Deewana and Balwan. However, just when her career was on the verge of taking full flight, Bharti died on April 5, 1993, under circumstances that remain a mystery till this day. She was only 19. (All pictures/mid-day archives and YouTube)
Divya Bharti, born on February 25, 1974 in Mumbai to Omprakash Bharti and Meeta Bharti, attended high school in Juhu but dropped out after 9th grade when she started getting offers for films.
Divya Bharti made her acting debut in down south with a Telugu film - D. Rama Naidu's Bobbili Raja, starring Venkatesh. It released in 1990.
Bobbili Raja became a blockbuster and Divya Bharti became a huge star, following which she starred in 3 more hit Telugu films with superstars like Mohan Babu, Chiranjeevi, Nandamuri Balakrishna (son of NT Ramarao) in 1991.
Comparisons were being drawn between Divya Bharti and Sridevi, who was known to be India's first woman superstar at the time. By default, it was the Hindi film industry who offered films to the actress.
Divya Bharti made her entry into the Hindi film industry in 1991 with Vishwatma. Well, who could forget the very popular 'Saat Samundar Paar' song from the film?
Soon after, Divya Bharti was seen in 8 back-to-back films in the year 1992. Dil Ka Kya Kasoor flopped at the Box Office, but movies like Shola Aur Shabnam, Deewana, Balwaan and Jaan Se Pyaara became huge hits. Interestingly, Deewana was Shah Rukh Khan's debut and the duo's song - Aisi Deewangi was one of the most popular tracks of the year.
Deewana, that also saw Rishi Kapoor romancing Divya Bharti, moved the actress from promising newcomer status to A-list status.
Divya Bharti starred opposite Jackie Shroff in two films - Dil Hi To Hai and Shatranj. While Dil Hi To Hai was directed by popular actor-comedian Asrani, it featured Jackie in a double role. Divya Bharti's second collaboration with Jackie was with Shatranj, which also starred Mithun Chakraborty and Juhu Chawla.
In March 1992, David Dhawan's Shola Aur Shabnam, starring Divya Bharti and Govinda was released. The film was a super hit and gave a big boost to Govinda's career.
In the same year, May 1992, Divya Bharti married filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala. The couple had secretly married the director in his Versova apartment. She converted to Islam and reportedly also changed her name to Sanah Nadiadwala.
Divya Bharti's growing popularity had reached a stage where a lot of producers had signed the actress in-advance for their films.
However, due to her sudden demise, many of her films were reshot replacing other actresses. On April 5, 1993, Divya fell off the balcony of the fifth storey apartment. Her death was considered suspicious, though the police could find no evidence of foul play and the case was closed.
Very few know that Divya Bharti was signed for Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty's Mohra. Divya Bharti was signed to play the character of Roma, which was later replaced by Raveena Tandon, after Bharti's untimely demise. Divya Bharti had even shot a few portions of Mohra.
Filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala shuts himself off every year on April 5 as a mark of respect to her. Nadiadwala still considers Divya Bharti's family his own.
This young and talented actress is truly missed!
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