Few stars in Indian cinema history have combined effortless comedic charm, box-office dominance, and billion-dollar business acumen quite like Juhi Chawla. Having appeared in more than 100 films across Hindi and regional languages, the radiant 1980s and 1990s icon—who celebrated her birthday on November 13—still commands headlines decades after ruling the silver screen. Today, she stands as India’s wealthiest actress, boasting an estimated net worth of ₹7,790 crore through her co-ownership of IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), production ventures, and diversified business interests. Yet behind her sparkling screen persona lie three unforgettable real-life chapters that continue to fascinate cinema fans across Mumbai, New Delhi, Lucknow, Ambala, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Bengaluru: the dramatic day she slapped close friend Shah Rukh Khan on a film set, the marriage proposal Salman Khan personally took to her father, and the deeply moving bond forged in the aftermath of a 1990 plane crash that led to her secret 1995 wedding with industrialist Jay Mehta.

From Miss India 1984 to Overnight Bollywood Superstar

Born in Ambala, Haryana, on November 13, 1967, Juhi Chawla first captured national attention on the pageant stage, winning the Miss India crown in 1984 and later earning the Best National Costume award at the Miss Universe pageant. She entered Hindi cinema in 1986 with Sultanat, before achieving overnight stardom opposite Aamir Khan in the 1988 romantic blockbuster Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.

Over the next decade, Juhi became a fixture at the box office alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Sunny Deol, celebrated for her impeccable comic timing and natural warmth. Her most iconic films include Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Bol Radha Bol, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Darr, Swarg, Deewana Mastana, Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi, Yes Boss, Ishq, and Daraar.

Why Juhi Chawla Once Slapped Shah Rukh Khan on Set

Despite sharing one of Bollywood’s closest off-screen friendships and business partnerships, Juhi Chawla once lost her temper and slapped Shah Rukh Khan during the filming of their 2000 home production Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. The scene involved a high-intensity action sequence requiring a live fireball to streak dangerously close to Juhi.

Reluctant and nervous about the stunt, Juhi initially refused to perform it without additional safety assurance, relenting only after Shah Rukh Khan personally persuaded her that everything was under control. However, the moment cameras rolled and the fireball erupted near her, sheer fright gave way to fury—prompting Juhi to slap Shah Rukh on the spot before storming off to her vanity van, where SRK later arrived to apologize and pacify her.

When Salman Khan Approached Juhi Chawla's Father With a Marriage Proposal

Equally legendary in Bollywood lore is Salman Khan’s candid admission that he once wanted to marry Juhi Chawla at the peak of her 1990s stardom. Salman publicly recounted that he was completely charmed by her grace and personally approached Juhi’s father to ask for her hand in marriage—only for her father to politely decline the proposal. Ironically, the two stars barely shared full-fledged romantic lead pairings on screen, though Salman made a memorable cameo in Deewana Mastana (1997).

A Bond Born After Tragedy: How Juhi Chawla Met and Married Jay Mehta

While millions admired her on screen, Juhi found her lifelong partner in industrialist Jay Mehta. Introduced at a dinner party hosted by filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, Juhi and Jay initially shared a warm friendship. In 1990, Jay Mehta suffered a devastating personal loss when his first wife, Sujata Birla, tragically perished in the Indian Airlines Flight 605 plane crash in Bengaluru.

During that period of profound grief, Juhi stood by Jay as a compassionate friend, meeting him frequently to offer emotional support. Over time, empathy blossomed into deep affection. Speaking on a dance reality show, Juhi recalled how Jay courted her with heartfelt handwritten letters and once even sent a truckload of red roses on her birthday, leading her to accept his proposal after a year. The couple kept their romance private before tying the knot in an intimate ceremony in 1995, and today share two children—daughter Janhvi Mehta and son Arjun Mehta—while Juhi continues to shine as both an evergreen icon and India’s richest actress.