Divya Bharti
{{Short description|Indian actress (1974–1993)}}
{{Distinguish|Divyabharathi}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Divya Bharti
| image = Actress Divya Bharti.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = Bharti in 1992
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1974|02|25}}
| birth_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| death_date = {{death-date and age|5 April 1993|25 February 1974}}
| death_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| occupation = Actress
| height =
| years_active = 1990{{endash}}1993
| spouse = {{marriage|Sajid Nadiadwala|1992}}
| website =
| signature = Divya Bharti's Signature.jpg
}}
Divya Bharti{{efn|There are numerous variant spellings of the name. These include Divya Bharati and Divya Bharathi.}} ({{IPA|hi|dɪʋjaː bʱaːrtiː}}; 25 February 1974 – 5 April 1993) was an Indian actress who predominantly worked in Hindi and Telugu movies. Known for her acting versatility, vivacity and beauty she was among the highest-paid Indian actresses of her time. She received a Filmfare Award and a Nandi Award for her performances.{{cite web |last=Boxofficeindia.com |title=Top Actress |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017104803/http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |archive-date=17 October 2013}}{{cite web |author1=Admin |date=19 February 2020 |title=Highest Paid Bollywood Actresses in 90's |url=https://www.monthlyfeeds.com/highest-paid-bollywood-actresses-in-90s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124017/https://www.monthlyfeeds.com/highest-paid-bollywood-actresses-in-90s/ |archive-date=9 February 2021 |access-date=4 May 2020 |website=Monthlyfeeds}}
Bharti began her career as a teenager while working as a pin-up model. She made her acting debut with the Telugu film Bobbili Raja (1990), which became a blockbuster at the box office. She subsequently starred in successful Telugu films such as Assembly Rowdy (1991) and Rowdy Alludu (1991), establishing herself as a leading actress in the industry. She received the Nandi Special Jury Award for her performance in Chittemma Mogudu (1992). In 1992, she transitioned to Hindi cinema, making her debut in the action thriller Vishwatma (1992). She gained wider recognition with the success of Shola Aur Shabnam (1992) and further solidified her position with Deewana (1992), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
On 5 April 1993, Bharti died at the age of 19 after falling from the balcony of her fifth-floor apartment in Mumbai. The circumstances of her death led to various conspiracy theories, but it was officially ruled as an accidental fall.
Early life
Bharti was born in Mumbai on 25 February 1974{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Aastha |title=उस रात, मौत के चंद घंटों पहले क्या हुआ था दिव्या भारती के साथ! |trans-title=That Night, What Happened With Divya Bharti A Few Hours Before Her Death |url=https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/news-archives/entertainment-archives/divya-bharti-death-mystery |access-date=22 May 2020 |work=Amar Ujala |agency=Amar Ujala Limited |date=18 June 2018 |language=hi |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124045/https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/news-archives/entertainment-archives/divya-bharti-death-mystery |url-status=live}} to Om Prakash Bharti and Meeta Bharti.{{cite book |last1=Saari |first1=Anil |last2=Caṭṭopādhyāẏa |first2=Pārtha |title=Hindi Cinema: An Insider's View |date=2009 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-569584-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dqzQOgAACAAJ |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124005/https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/dqzQOgAACAAJ |url-status=live}} She had a younger brother named Kunal and a half-sister Poonam, who was the child of Om Prakash Bharti's first marriage. Actress Kainaat Arora is her second cousin.{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/divya-bhartis-cousin-kainaat-arora-to-make-bollywood-debut-with-grand-masti-634510 |title=Divya Bharti's cousin Kainaat Arora to make Bollywood debut with Grand Masti |publisher=NDTV Movies |access-date=3 May 2020 |date=9 August 2013 |author=Press Trust Of India |location=New Delhi |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124050/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/divya-bhartis-cousin-kainaat-arora-to-make-bollywood-debut-with-grand-masti-634510 |url-status=live}} She spoke Hindi, English and Marathi fluently.{{cite web |title=DIVYA BHARTI |url=https://www.getatoz.com/content/divya-bharti/729 |publisher=Getagoz |access-date=15 September 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124021/https://www.getatoz.com/content/divya-bharti/729 |url-status=dead }} In her early years, she was known for her bubbly personality and doll-like looks.{{cite news |title=Divya Bharti's 46th birth anniversary: Popular Telugu films of the bubbly actress who died tragically young |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/divya-bhartis-46th-birth-anniversary-popular-telugu-films-of-the-bubbly-actress-who-died-tragically-young/photostory/74284623.cms |access-date=16 September 2020 |work=Entertainment Times |agency=The Times Group |publisher=The Times of India |date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209123953/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/divya-bhartis-46th-birth-anniversary-popular-telugu-films-of-the-bubbly-actress-who-died-tragically-young/photostory/74284623.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Bollywood mysteries that remain unsolved even today |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/bollywood-mysteries-that-remain-unsolved-even-today/photostory/38140568.cms |access-date=16 September 2020 |work=Entertainment Times |agency=The Times Group |publisher=The Times of India |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124037/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/bollywood-mysteries-that-remain-unsolved-even-today/photostory/38140568.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author1=FPJ Web Desk |title=4 Bollywood beauties unsolved death mysteries |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/latest-news/four-bollywood-beauties-unsolved-death-mysteries |access-date=15 September 2020 |work=The Free Press Journal |agency=Indian National Press |date=18 February 2016 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209123951/https://www.freepressjournal.in/latest-news/four-bollywood-beauties-unsolved-death-mysteries |url-status=live}} She studied at Maneckji Cooper High School in Juhu, Mumbai. Bharti was a restless student at school and completed the 9th standard{{efn|name=exchange|Ninth grade, freshman year, or grade 9 is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in India}} before pursuing an acting career.{{cite news |last1=Mohamed |first1=Khalid |title=After 26 Years, Divya Bharti's Death Still Remains a Mystery |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/divya-bharti-mysterious-death-sajid-nadiadwala-shah-rukh-khan-deewana-rishi-kapoor |access-date=22 May 2020 |work=The Quint |agency=Quintillion Media Pvt Ltd |date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124050/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/divya-bharti-mysterious-death-sajid-nadiadwala-shah-rukh-khan-deewana-rishi-kapoor |url-status=live}}
Acting career
= Early roles and Telugu films=
In 1988, Bharti, then a ninth-grader, was signed by filmmaker Nandu Tolani for one of his films. She was originally scheduled to make her screen debut in Gunahon Ka Devta in 1988, but her role was cancelled. She was replaced by Sangeeta Bijlani.{{cite news |last1=Kanojia |first1=Sonam |title=Divya Bharti's first film, but before her debut she was replaced by Salman Khan's ex-girlfriend |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/news-from-bollywood/divya-bharti-replaced-by-salman-khan-ex-girlfriend-sangeeta-bijlani-in-her-bollywood-debut-movie-gunahon-ka-devta-in-1988/articleshow/89821296.cms#google_vignette |access-date=27 February 2024 |work=Navbharat Times |agency=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |date=25 February 2022}} Kirti Kumar (Govinda's brother) noticed Bharti at a video library. He was eager to sign her for his project Radha Ka Sangam opposite Govinda. Kumar met with director Dilip Shankar and managed to release Bharti from her contract. After taking dancing and acting lessons for months to prepare for her role, Bharti was dropped and replaced by Juhi Chawla. It was speculated that Kumar's possessiveness over Bharti and her childish nature was the cause of her replacement.{{cite web |url=http://www.merepix.com/2013/12/remembering-actress-divya-bharti-rare-photos-videos.html |title=Remembering Actress Divya Bharti – Rare Photos & Videos |work=Mere Pix |access-date=27 September 2015 |author=MERE PIX |date=31 December 2013 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124000/https://www.merepix.com/2013/12/remembering-actress-divya-bharti-rare-photos-videos.html |url-status=live}} Bharti's career was stalled until D. Ramanaidu, a Telugu film producer, offered her a leading role in the film Bobbili Raja opposite his son Daggubati Venkatesh. She began shooting in Andhra Pradesh for her screen debut. The film was released in the summer of 1990 and became a hit.{{cite news |title=Bobbili Raja |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-details/bobbili-raja/movieshow/61344522.cms |access-date=15 September 2020 |work=Entertainment Times |agency=The Times Group |publisher=The Times of India |date=30 July 2018 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124001/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-details/bobbili-raja/movieshow/61344522.cms |url-status=live}} Bobbili Raja remains one of the most popular and iconic Telugu movies.{{Cite web |last=Krishna |first=Murali |date=8 May 2021 |title=Jungle reels |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2021/May/08/jungle-reels-2299821.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613121937/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2021/may/08/jungle-reels-2299821.amp |archive-date=13 June 2021 |access-date=10 November 2021 |website=The Indian Express}} Later in the year, Bharti acted in a Tamil film, Nila Pennae, opposite Anand. The film was critically and financially unsuccessful.
In box office ratings, Bharti ranked next to Vijayashanti who has been widely called The Lady Superstar and Lady Amitabh of South Indian cinema. In 1991, Bharti had back-to-back hits with action comedy film Rowdy Alludu and drama Assembly Rowdy opposite actors Chiranjeevi and Mohan Babu, respectively.{{cite web |title=Hits and flops of Chiranjeevi |url=http://www.tollymasala.com/news/hits-and-flops-of-chiranjeevi |access-date=22 May 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124030/http://www.tollymasala.com/news/hits-and-flops-of-chiranjeevi |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Birthday Special! Mohan Babu: Blockbuster films the veteran actor produced and starred in |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/birthday-special-mohan-babu-blockbuster-films-the-veteran-actor-produced-and-starred-in/photostory/68479399.cms |access-date=22 May 2020 |work=Entertainment Times |agency=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |publisher=The Times of India |date=19 March 2019 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124031/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/birthday-special-mohan-babu-blockbuster-films-the-veteran-actor-produced-and-starred-in/photostory/68479399.cms |url-status=live}} Later that year, Bharti began filming A. Kodandarami Reddy's action romance Dharma Kshetram under Sri Rajeev Productions. Bharti got to work with Telugu film actor Nandamuri Balakrishna.{{cite web |title=Outlook |date=4 August 2003 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0-kvAQAAIAAJ&q=divya |access-date=4 May 2020 |publisher=Hathway Investments Pvt Ltd |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124017/https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/0-kvAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=divya |url-status=live}}
= Transition to Hindi films and stardom =
While Bharti celebrated her success in Andhra Pradesh, Bollywood's top directors were eager to sign her for films. Bharti's first Hindi film was Rajiv Rai's 1992 film Vishwatma. In an interview with Filmfare, she said that she liked her role as Kusum, Sunny Deol's love interest, in the film, describing it as a "very good role".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ebay.com/itm/Filmfare-Dec-1991-Juhi-Chawla-Rahul-Roy-Divya-Bharati-Meenakshi-Javed-Akhtar-/133664669871 |title=Divya Bharati: Superbharat |date=December 1991 |magazine=Filmfare |access-date=18 February 2021 |page=1 |archive-date=19 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819173015/https://www.ebay.com/itm/Filmfare-Dec-1991-Juhi-Chawla-Rahul-Roy-Divya-Bharati-Meenakshi-Javed-Akhtar-/133664669871 |url-status=live}} The film was an average box office performer but gained Bharti wider recognition from the public as well as film critics.{{cite news |title=Remembering Divya Bharti on her 25th death anniversary: The Hindi film diva who died too soon |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities-remembering-divya-bharti-on-her-25th-death-anniversary-bollywood-diva-who-died-too-soon-435939 |access-date=22 May 2020 |work=India TV |agency=Independent News Services Private Ltd. |date=5 April 2018 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124010/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities-remembering-divya-bharti-on-her-25th-death-anniversary-bollywood-diva-who-died-too-soon-435939 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Bhandari |first1=Kabir Singh |title=Even Gulshan Grover didn't know that 'Saat Samundar Paar' is lifted from this English song |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/music/did-you-know-vishwatma-s-saat-samundar-paar-is-inspired-from-this-english-song/story-TB1ObdERVhDtRFNklX7ukL.html |access-date=22 May 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=HT Media Ltd |date=24 January 2018 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209123957/https://www.hindustantimes.com/music/did-you-know-vishwatma-s-saat-samundar-paar-is-inspired-from-this-english-song/story-TB1ObdERVhDtRFNklX7ukL.html |url-status=live}} Bharti was most notable for the song used in the film Saat Samundar.{{cite news |last1=Medhi |first1=Indrani |title=The Indelible Divya Bharti |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/melange/the-indelible-divya-bharti/ |access-date=22 May 2020 |work=The Sentinel (Guwahati) |agency=Omega Printers & Publishers Pvt. Ltd |date=5 April 2019 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124002/https://www.sentinelassam.com/melange/the-indelible-divya-bharti/ |url-status=live}} A week later, Bharti's next film, Lawrence D'Souza's romantic drama Dil Ka Kya Kasoor, in which she starred alongside Prithvi, was released.{{cite web |title=Dil Ka Kya Kasoor |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/dil-ka-kya-kasoor/cast/ |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=31 January 1992 |access-date=22 May 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124003/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/dil-ka-kya-kasoor/cast/ |url-status=live}} The film was not a box office success but was recognised for its music.{{cite news |title=Shatranj |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iWpDAAAAYAAJ |access-date=28 July 2012 |work=India Today |volume=19 |issue=1–6 |publisher=Thomson Living Media India Limited |date=1994 |location=India}}
{{quote box|bgcolor=#CCDDFF|width=25%|align=right|quote="I wanted to prove myself. But I've fallen flat on my face. Now, I have to begin my climb all over again. Yet, I'm positive that one day, success will be mine."|source=Bharti's remarks after the failure of Dil Ka Kya Kasoor.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} }}
In March 1992, David Dhawan's romantic action drama Shola Aur Shabnam was released. It was popular with critics and was a box office hit in India, marking Bharti's first major hit in Hindi films.{{cite news |title=Shola Aur Shabnam - Official Trailer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/hindi/shola-aur-shabnam-official-trailer/videoshow/63843850.cms |access-date=15 September 2020 |work=Entertainment Times |agency=The Times Group |publisher=Times of India |date=20 April 2018 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124049/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/hindi/shola-aur-shabnam-official-trailer/videoshow/63843850.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Govinda on feud with David Dhawan: Not the same person I used to know, think he is under somebody's influence |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/govinda-on-feud-with-david-dhawan-not-the-same-person-i-used-to-know-think-he-is-under-somebodys-influence-7086161.html |access-date=15 September 2020 |work=Firstpost |agency=Network 18 |date=31 July 2019 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124045/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/govinda-on-feud-with-david-dhawan-not-the-same-person-i-used-to-know-think-he-is-under-somebodys-influence-7086161.html |url-status=live}} She achieved further success in Raj Kanwar's Filmfare Award-winning love story Deewana, which starred veteran actor Rishi Kapoor and newcomer Shahrukh Khan. It was one of the biggest hits of 1992.{{cite news |last1=Mohamed |first1=Khalid |title=After 26 Years, Divya Bharti's Death Still Remains a Mystery |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/divya-bharti-mysterious-death-sajid-nadiadwala-shah-rukh-khan-deewana-rishi-kapoor |access-date=13 September 2020 |work=Quint |agency=Gaurav Mercantiles Ltd |date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124025/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/divya-bharti-mysterious-death-sajid-nadiadwala-shah-rukh-khan-deewana-rishi-kapoor |url-status=live}} Her performance in Deewana was highly appreciated.{{cite news |last1=Wagh |first1=Nikita |title=Divya Bharti: Remembering the Deewana actress through candid pictures |url=https://www.mid-day.com/photos/divya-bharti-its-been-25-years-since-the-deewana-actress-tragic-death/16530 |access-date=13 September 2020 |work=Mid Day |agency=Jagran Prakashan Limited |publisher=Mid Day Infomedia Limited |date=5 April 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124057/https://www.mid-day.com/photos-all/ |url-status=live}} Critics reported that Bharti belonged to a new breed of Hindi film actors who broke away from character stereotypes. Bharti won the Filmfare Award for Lux New Face of the Year. By July 1992, Bharti's work in Deewana was said to have earned her more recognition.{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Roshmila |title=Moments & Memories: Divya Bharti, the girl who went away too soon |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bollywood/moments-memories-divya-bharti-the-girl-who-went-away-too-soon |access-date=11 July 2021 |work=Free Press Journal |date=2 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711062837/https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bollywood/moments-memories-divya-bharti-the-girl-who-went-away-too-soon |url-status=live}}
She had several Hindi releases that year—the action drama Jaan Se Pyaara, which featured Bharti alongside Govinda once again,{{cite web |title=Jaan Se Pyara (1992) |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/jaan-se-pyara/ |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=January 1992 |access-date=14 September 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124013/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/jaan-se-pyara/ |url-status=live}} romantic drama Geet opposite Avinash Wadhawan, action Dushman Zamana alongside Armaan Kohli, and action drama Balwaan, which marked the debut of Suniel Shetty.{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Rachit |title=Know your actor: Divya Bharti |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/know-your-actor-divya-bharti-7968-7.html |access-date=14 September 2020 |work=Filmfare |date=15 December 2014 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124051/https://www.filmfare.com/features/know-your-actor-divya-bharti-7968-7.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Suniel Shetty: When I started my career people called me wooden |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/suneil-shetty-when-i-started-my-career-people-called-me-wooden/articleshow/58712965.cms |access-date=22 May 2020 |work=Entertainment Times |agency=The Times of India |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |date=17 March 2017 |archive-date=19 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819173017/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/suneil-shetty-when-i-started-my-career-people-called-me-wooden/articleshow/58712965.cms |url-status=live}} The latter achieved moderate success. In October, she appeared in Hema Malini's romantic drama Dil Aashna Hai, which did not do as well at the box office. She portrayed a bar dancer who sets out to find her birth mother. The role earned her critical appreciation.{{cite news |last1=Paikat |first1=Anita |title=25 years of Dil Aashna Hai: Revisiting Hema Malini's film directorial debut |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2017/oct/23/8788 |access-date=13 September 2020 |work=Cinestan |date=23 October 2017 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124031/https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2017/oct/23/8788 |url-status=live}} Bharti decided to act in one Telugu movie per year to not disappoint her Telugu audience. Chittemma Mogudu was released in early 1993, again starring a popular couple of Bharti and Mohan Babu.{{cite web |title=CHITTEMMA MOGUDU |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/chittemma-mogudu-26334 |publisher=Cinestaan |access-date=22 May 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124050/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/chittemma-mogudu-26334 |url-status=live}} In the last film to be released during her lifetime, the ensemble film Kshatriya, she co-starred alongside Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt and Raveena Tandon. It was released on 26 March 1993.{{cite news |title=Kshatriya |newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/kshatriya/movieshow/61266022.cms |publisher=Entertainment Times |access-date=22 May 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124004/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/kshatriya/movieshow/61266022.cms |url-status=live}}
Bharti was replaced in films she had not completed, including Mohra (played by Raveena Tandon), Kartavya (played by Juhi Chawla), Vijaypath (played by Tabu), Dilwale (played by Raveena Tandon), and Andolan (played by Mamta Kulkarni).{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Nivedita |title=Actor Divya Bharti died at nineteen: 27 years later, her untimely death remains a mystery to many |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/actor-divya-bharti-died-at-nineteen-27-years-later-her-untimely-death-remains-a-mystery-to-many/story-yMeJl8oL29ACBPRQrczy5K.html |access-date=14 September 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=HT Media Ltd |date=5 April 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124038/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/actor-divya-bharti-died-at-nineteen-27-years-later-her-untimely-death-remains-a-mystery-to-many/story-yMeJl8oL29ACBPRQrczy5K.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=7 June 2013 |first1=Rachit |last1=Gupta |title=Flashback Friday: Forever young - Divya Bharti |url=http://www.filmfare.com/features/flashback-friday-forever-young-divya-bharti-3370.html |access-date=14 June 2016 |work=Filmfare.com |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124042/https://www.filmfare.com/features/flashback-friday-forever-young-divya-bharti-3370.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author1=Anjali Muthanna |title=What happens to incomplete films when actors die? |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/What-happens-to-incomplete-films-when-actors-die/articleshow/26794860.cms |access-date=14 June 2016 |work=The Times of India |date=4 December 2013 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124041/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/What-happens-to-incomplete-films-when-actors-die/articleshow/26794860.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Divya Bharti's tragic death in 1993 led to an estimated loss of Rs. 2 crore for Bollywood |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/divya-bhartis-tragic-death-1993-led-estimated-loss-rs-2-crore-bollywood/ |access-date=14 September 2020 |work=Bollywood Hungama News Network |agency=Bollywood Hungama |date=10 April 2018 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124017/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/divya-bhartis-tragic-death-1993-led-estimated-loss-rs-2-crore-bollywood/ |url-status=live}} She was more than halfway through the filming of Laadla at the time of her death and the movie was reshot with Sridevi portraying the role.{{cite news |language=hi |title=Divya Bharti: Death remains unsolved mystery |url=http://www.jagran.com/entertainment/bollywood-divya-bharti-death-remains-unsolved-mystery-10164837.html |access-date=14 June 2016 |work=Jagran |date=25 February 2013 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124043/https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/bollywood-divya-bharti-death-remains-unsolved-mystery-10164837.html |url-status=live}} Shortly before her death, she had completed filming for Rang and Shatranj; these were released posthumously on 7 July 1993 and 17 December 1993 respectively and achieved moderate success.{{cite web |title=Rang Cast & Crew |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/rang/cast/ |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=7 September 1993 |access-date=14 September 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124022/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/rang/cast/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Shatranj Cast & Crew |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/shatranj-2/cast/ |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=17 December 1993 |access-date=25 October 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124023/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/shatranj-2/cast/ |url-status=live}} Although she had completed filming her scenes for both films, a dubbing artist was used as she never got the chance to dub for the films. Her incomplete Telugu film Tholi Muddhu was partly completed by an actress Rambha, who slightly resembled Bharti and hence was used as her body double to complete her remaining scenes; the film was released in October 1993.{{cite news |last1=Medhi |first1=Indrani |title=The Indelible Divya Bharti |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/melange/the-indelible-divya-bharti/ |access-date=25 June 2021 |work=The Sentinel |date=9 April 2019 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124002/https://www.sentinelassam.com/melange/the-indelible-divya-bharti/ |url-status=live}} Divya was also the first choice for the iconic role of Simra ..
Read more at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/118550593.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Personal life
Bharti met director-producer Sajid Nadiadwala through actor Govinda while working on the set of Shola Aur Shabnam, following which she converted to Islam, changed her name to Sana, and married Nadiadwala on 10 May 1992{{cite web |last1=virodai |first1=Yashodhara |date=13 September 2017 |title=दिव्या भारती के मौत की असली वजह |url=https://www.newstrend.news/68072/bollywood-actress-divya-bharti-death-mystery/ |trans-title=The Real Reason behind Divya Bharti's Death |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124039/https://www.newstrend.news/68072/bollywood-actress-divya-bharti-death-mystery/ |archive-date=9 February 2021 |access-date=22 March 2020 |website=NewsTrend |language=hi}} at a private Nikah ceremony in the presence of her hairdresser and friend Sandhya, Sandhya's husband, and a qazi at Nadiadwala's Tulsi Buildings residence in Mumbai.{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Roshmila |date=24 April 2011 |title=Too young to die |work=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/too-young-to-die/story-YJq1kkah1FcCqZSn7aDCsK.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124029/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/too-young-to-die/story-YJq1kkah1FcCqZSn7aDCsK.html |archive-date=9 February 2021}}{{cite news |title=PHOTOS: Who killed Divya Bharti ? |work=Sahara Samay |url=http://www.saharasamay.com/gallery/photo-gallery/entertainment-photogallery/photos-who-killed-divya-bharti-/676478779/5/31178.html#photo |url-status=live |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124044/http://www.saharasamay.com/gallery/photo-gallery/entertainment-photogallery/photos-who-killed-divya-bharti-/676478779/5/31178.html#photo |archive-date=9 February 2021}} The marriage was kept secret so as to not affect her prosperous film career.{{cite news |title=Bollywood mysteries that remain unsolved even today |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/bollywood-mysteries-that-remain-unsolved-even-today/bollywood-mysteries-that-remain-unsolved-even-today/photostory/38140566.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124042/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/bollywood-mysteries-that-remain-unsolved-even-today/photostory/38140566.cms |archive-date=9 February 2021 |access-date=22 March 2020 |website=Times of India }}{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Ashish |date=20 December 2019 |title=इन 6 एक्ट्रेसेस ने छिपाकर रखी थी अपनी शादी की खबर |trans-title=These 6 Actresses Had Kept Secret The News Of Their Marriage |url=https://www.newstrend.news/281778/bollywoods-secret-marriages/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124055/https://www.newstrend.news/281778/bollywoods-secret-marriages/ |archive-date=9 February 2021 |access-date=22 March 2020 |website=NewsTrend |language=hi}}
Death
In the late evening hours of 5 April 1993, Bharti fell from the balcony window of her fifth-floor apartment in Tulsi Buildings, Versova, Andheri West in Mumbai.{{cite web |title=Looking at stars who died young |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-death-anniversary-of-divya-bharti-and-kurt-cobain/20110405.htm |publisher=Rediff |access-date=27 December 2011 |date=26 December 2011 |archive-date=5 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905140516/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-death-anniversary-of-divya-bharti-and-kurt-cobain/20110405.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Khushwaha |first1=Preeti |title=Happy Birthday Divya Bharti |url=https://www.patrika.com/bollywood-news/happy-birthday-divya-bharti-unknown-facts-before-divya-bharti-death-4187694/ |access-date=22 May 2020 |work=Rajasthan Patrika |agency=Rajasthan Patrika Pvt. Ltd. |date=25 February 2019 |language=hi |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124009/https://www.patrika.com/bollywood-news/happy-birthday-divya-bharti-unknown-facts-before-divya-bharti-death-4187694/ |url-status=live}} When her guests Neeta Lulla, Neeta's husband Shyam Lulla, Bharti's maid Amrita Kumari, and neighbours realised what had happened, she was rushed in an ambulance to the emergency department at Cooper Hospital, where she died. She was 19 years old. Though her death was subject to conspiracy theories, her father denied any wrongdoing.{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Nivedita |title=Actor Divya Bharti died at nineteen: 27 years later, her untimely death remains a mystery to many |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/actor-divya-bharti-died-at-nineteen-27-years-later-her-untimely-death-remains-a-mystery-to-many/story-yMeJl8oL29ACBPRQrczy5K.html |access-date=22 May 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=HT Media Ltd |date=5 April 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124034/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/actor-divya-bharti-died-at-nineteen-27-years-later-her-untimely-death-remains-a-mystery-to-many/story-yMeJl8oL29ACBPRQrczy5K.html |url-status=live}} The official causes of her death were deemed to be head injuries and internal bleeding. She was cremated on 7 April 1993 at the Vile Parle crematorium in Mumbai.{{cite news |author1=Farhana |url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/remembering-divya-bharti-12829.html |title=Remembering Divya Bharti |date=5 April 2016 |work=Filmfare.com |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124041/https://www.filmfare.com/interviews/remembering-divya-bharti-12829.html |url-status=live}}
Reactions and legacy
Bharti acted in 21 films during her short career and was one of the highest-paid Indian actresses at the time of her death.{{Cite web |date=25 February 2020 |title=Divya Bharti: 6 Lesser known facts about the 'Deewana' actress on her 46th birth anniversary |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/divya-bharti-6-lesser-known-facts-about-the-deewana-actress-on-her-46th-birth-anniversary/photostory/74292885.cms |access-date=11 December 2020 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124059/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/divya-bharti-6-lesser-known-facts-about-the-deewana-actress-on-her-46th-birth-anniversary/photostory/74292885.cms |url-status=live}} Her offscreen persona and unique acting ability have been highly appreciated and reminisced by many of her co-stars and critics.{{Cite web |title=Remembering Divya Bharti |url=https://www.filmfare.com/interviews/remembering-divya-bharti-12829.html |access-date=20 June 2021 |website=filmfare.com |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209124041/https://www.filmfare.com/interviews/remembering-divya-bharti-12829.html |url-status=live}} In 2022, she was placed in Outlook India{{'}}s "75 Best Bollywood Actresses" list.{{Cite web |title=75 Bollywood Actresses Who Ruled The Silver Screen With Grace, Beauty And Talent |work=Outlook India |date=16 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/75-bollywood-actresses-who-ruled-the-silver-screen-with-grace-beauty-and-talent-news-216694/amp |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816142138/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/75-bollywood-actresses-who-ruled-the-silver-screen-with-grace-beauty-and-talent-news-216694/amp |url-status=live }} Shah Rukh Khan, who shared screen space with her in Deewana and Dil Aashna Hai, once said that she was "stunning as an actor".{{Cite web |title=Shah Rukh Khan about Late Divya Bharti. |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zSkztbyOGsw |url-status=live |archive-date=19 August 2021 |website=YouTube | date=29 May 2011 |access-date=20 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819173009/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zSkztbyOGsw}} Suniel Shetty has remarked, "I have not yet seen any other actress who is as talented as Divya Bharti. I don't think anyone had as much talent as she possessed. Her talent was unbelievable, she'd do masti and bachpana (fun and childish behavior) before the shoot commenced and when asked for, she'd give such a perfect shot that I used to forget my own dialogues!".{{Cite web |title=Actor Suniel Shetty Opens up About His first co-star Divya Bharti! |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/COZVB5-hYdn/ |website=Instagram |access-date=20 June 2021 |archive-date=19 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919120545/https://www.instagram.com/p/COZVB5-hYdn/ |url-status=live }} Actress Karishma Kapoor has paid her tribute by saying, "She was so wonderful in Deewana.. couldn't take my eyes off! We really miss her a lot."{{Citation |title=An Exclusive Interview with Divya's Mother in STAR ANANDA, 5th April 2012 (Bengali) | date=2 July 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjKo_3wkaAc |language=en |access-date=20 June 2021 |archive-date=19 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819173040/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjKo_3wkaAc |url-status=live}} Moreover, Chunky Panday has pronounced her to be "Chulbuli" (bubbly) and that "she was full of life, energy and loved to work with her in Vishwatma."{{Cite web |title=Guddu Dhanoa and Chunky Pandey speak about Beloved Divya. |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8urmvWLcucI |url-status=live |archive-date=19 August 2021 |website=YouTube |access-date=20 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819173010/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=8urmvWLcucI&list=LL&index=1}}
According to actor Govinda, "Juhi, Kajol, and Karisma are in a different spot, Divya had a totally different kind of appeal from those three. What she had was natural and God-given, it cannot be created by anyone, however much they may try. She had a raw, tamed, wild look about her which magnetised the audience."{{Cite web |title=REMINISCENCES |url=https://www.divyabhartiportal.com/p/reminiscences_12.html |access-date=20 June 2021 |language=en-GB |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204613/https://www.divyabhartiportal.com/p/reminiscences_12.html |url-status=live}} Producer Guddu Dhanoa, upon working with her in Deewana, has stated that, "Bollywood misses her a lot and the void which was created owing to her death could not be filled by anyone else." Archana Puran Singh in the caption of one of her social media posts has written, "Divya was a sweet soul, still remember sobbing the day she passed away."{{Cite web |date=11 May 2020 |title=Archana Puran Singh shares throwback pic with Karisma Kapoor and Divya Bharti |url=https://english.newstracklive.com/news/archana-puran-singh-shares-throwback-pic-with-karisma-kapoor-and-divya-bharti-sc90-nu904-ta272-1091691-1.html |access-date=20 June 2021 |website=News Track |language=English |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204811/https://english.newstracklive.com/news/archana-puran-singh-shares-throwback-pic-with-karisma-kapoor-and-divya-bharti-sc90-nu904-ta272-1091691-1.html |url-status=live}}
New-generation artists like Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma have also remembered Divya Bharti in some of their interviews. Varun has revealed Bharti to be "one of the actresses from the 90s he would have loved to work with."{{Cite web |date=26 October 2019 |title=Varun Dhawan recalls childhood memory when Divya Bharti made omelette for him |url=https://www.theindianwire.com/entertainment/varun-dhawan-recalls-childhood-memory-divya-bharti-made-omelette-213001/ |access-date=20 June 2021 |website=The Indian Wire |language=en-GB |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201631/https://www.theindianwire.com/entertainment/varun-dhawan-recalls-childhood-memory-divya-bharti-made-omelette-213001/ |url-status=live}} Anushka Sharma has been quoted saying "I became a huge fan of Divya Bharti after watching her songs. I would dance to almost all her songs, especially 'Saat Samundar'. When she passed away, my mother didn't tell me for about a week because she knew I would break down."{{Cite web |date=20 January 2013 |title=Nobody wants to be this thin: Anushka |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/nobody-wants-to-be-this-thin-anushka/story-4lY9URdqP9N2SXBAgWuODI.html |access-date=20 June 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204836/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/nobody-wants-to-be-this-thin-anushka/story-4lY9URdqP9N2SXBAgWuODI.html |url-status=live}} In 2011 Dev Anand made the movie Chargesheet, which was loosely based on her death and the mystery surrounding it.{{cite news |date=12 September 2011 |title=Dev Anand to crack Divya Bharati case in 'Chargesheet' |work=India today |agency=Living Media India Limited |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/hindi/dev-anand-to-crack-divya-bharati-case-in-chargesheet/videoshow/9953597.cms |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211191404/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/hindi/dev-anand-to-crack-divya-bharati-case-in-chargesheet/videoshow/9953597.cms |archive-date=11 February 2022}}{{subscription required}}
Filmography
= Unfinished films =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of 12 films Divya Bharti had signed/was acting at the time of her death ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col"|Film{{efn|name=release|Films are listed in order of supposed release year.}} ! scope="col"|Role(s) ! scope="col"|Language(s) ! scope="col" class="unsortable"|Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}} |
| rowspan="2"|1993
! scope="row"| Chinthamani | style="text-align:center;"|Chinthamani | Telugu | Shelved |
| scope="row"| Dhanwan
| style="text-align:center;"|Anjali Chopra | Hindi | Replaced by Karisma Kapoor |
|---|
| rowspan="4"|1994
! scope="row"| Laadla | style="text-align:center;"|Sheetal Jetley |Hindi | Replaced by Sridevi | style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web |date=25 February 2021 |title='Laadla', 'Mohra', 'Hulchul': Bollywood hits that would have starred Divya Bharti |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/laadla-mohra-hulchul-bollywood-hits-that-would-have-starred-divya-bharti/photostory/81126931.cms |url-status=live |access-date=20 January 2022 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225043908/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/laadla-mohra-hulchul-bollywood-hits-that-would-have-starred-divya-bharti/photostory/81126931.cms |archive-date=25 February 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Narayan |first=Hari |date=25 February 2018 |title=Sridevi: a picture of divine grace |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sridevi-a-picture-of-divine-grace/article22849681.ece |access-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026135831/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sridevi-a-picture-of-divine-grace/article22849681.ece |archive-date=26 October 2020 |issn=0971-751X}} |
| scope="row"| Mohra
| style="text-align:center;"|Roma Singh |Hindi | Replaced by Raveena Tandon |
| scope="row"| Dilwale
| style="text-align:center;"|Swapna |Hindi |Replaced by Raveena Tandon |
| scope="row"| Vijaypath
| style="text-align:center;"|Mohini / Vrushali |Hindi | Replaced by Tabu |
| rowspan="5" | 1995
! scope="row"| Andolan | style="text-align:center;"|Guddi |Hindi | Replaced by Mamta Kulkarni |
| scope="row"| Kartavya
| style="text-align:center;"|Kajal |Hindi | Replaced by Juhi Chawla |
| scope="row"| Kanyadaan
| style="text-align:center;"| — |Hindi | Replaced by Manisha Koirala |
| scope="row" | Hulchul
| style="text-align:center;" |Sharmili |Hindi | Replaced by Kajol |
| scope="row" | Angrakshak
| style="text-align:center;" |Priyanka |Hindi | Replaced by Pooja Bhatt |
| ! scope="row" | Do Kadam
| style="text-align:center;" | — |Hindi | Shelved |
Accolades
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Association ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Work !Result |
|---|
| scope="row" | 1991
| rowspan="1" | Filmfare Awards South | rowspan="1" | Best Actress – Telugu |{{Nom}} |
| rowspan="3" scope="row" | 1993
| rowspan="1"| Nandi Awards | rowspan="2"| Chittemma Mogudu | {{Won}}{{Cite web|url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)|publisher=Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=21 August 2020|language=Telugu|archive-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223135739/http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|url-status=live}} |
| rowspan="1" | Filmfare Awards South
| rowspan="1" |Best Actress – Telugu |{{Nom}} |
| rowspan="1" |Filmfare Awards
| rowspan="1" |Lux New Face of the Year |{{won}} |
Footnotes
{{NoteFoot}}
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name| id=0080251 | name = Divya Bharti }}
- [http://www.divyabhartiportal.com/ Official website] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309145408/https://www.divyabhartiportal.com/ |date=9 March 2022 }})
{{FilmfareAwardBestFemaleDebut}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bharti, Divya}}
Category:Actresses from Mumbai
Category:Accidental deaths from falls
Category:Accidental deaths in India
Category:Indian film actresses
Category:20th-century Indian actresses
Category:Filmfare Awards winners
Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema