Producer and former CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani has revisited an old Bollywood casting controversy involving late actor Divya Bharti and the 1993 comedy film Aankhen.
In a recent interview, Nihalani claimed that Divya Bharti initially agreed to be part of the film but later decided to step away after learning she would be paired opposite Chunky Pandey instead of Govinda.
Directed by David Dhawan, Aankhen went on to become one of Govinda’s most successful comedy films and remains a popular title in Hindi cinema.
Recalling the early casting plans, Nihalani said the makers had originally considered Divya Bharti, Pooja Bhatt, and Juhi Chawla for important roles in the film. According to him, complications reportedly arose when the final pairings were discussed.
He stated that Divya was expected to star opposite Chunky Pandey, while newcomer Ritu Shivpuri would be paired with Govinda. Nihalani claimed the decision upset Divya, leading to disagreements with the production team.
According to the producer, Divya later contacted him directly to express her dissatisfaction with the pairing arrangement. He alleged that she strongly objected to the casting decision and eventually declined to continue with the project.
Nihalani also reflected on his first meeting with the actor before the film officially began shooting. He recalled that Divya had approached the production through a secretary and mentioned that he initially felt she needed to prepare further before filming commenced.
He added that Divya reportedly joined the project briefly during the final phase of a shooting schedule before ultimately exiting the film. Following her departure, actor-singer Raageshwari was brought in for the role.
Released in 1993, Aankhen became a major commercial success and strengthened the successful collaboration between Govinda and director David Dhawan during the 1990s. The film was widely appreciated for its slapstick comedy and ensemble performances.
Divya Bharti, one of the most prominent young stars of the early 1990s, remains a memorable figure in Indian cinema due to her rapid rise in Bollywood before her untimely death in 1993.
The latest comments from Nihalani have reignited discussions among fans of classic Bollywood cinema and behind-the-scenes casting stories from the era.
