Actor Mahima Chaudhry, who rose to instant fame with her debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the blockbuster film Pardes, has opened up about a difficult and largely unknown phase of her career. Despite the film’s massive success, the actor says she faced legal trouble and professional setbacks soon after entering Bollywood.
“I Was Taken to Court,” Says Mahima
In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Mahima revealed that confusion surrounding contracts led to her being removed from multiple projects. According to the actor, rumours circulated within the industry suggesting she was bound by an exclusive contract, which she says was untrue.
“A lot of things happened after my first film. I was taken to court, I was thrown out of so many films because it was said that I was under contract with Mukta, which wasn’t true,” Mahima said.
She added that this period coincided with a personal setback that forced her to step away from work. “I had my accident, and then I sat at home for almost a year,” she shared.
From Lead Roles to Brief Appearances
When she eventually returned to films, Mahima said the roles offered to her had significantly changed. Instead of full-length characters, she was often approached for brief appearances or single-song roles.
“I started doing bit appearances, and those films became hits, even when I was just doing one song,” she said. “People started calling me a lucky mascot, but I wanted to do more meaningful work.”
The actor revealed that she eventually began turning down such offers, hoping to reclaim stronger roles.
Surviving a Traumatic Accident
Mahima also spoke about a serious car accident she suffered during the filming of Dil Kya Kare, which left her face badly injured. She described undergoing a painful recovery process involving dozens of glass shards embedded in her skin.
“There were 67 tiny glass pieces in my face. They had to be removed under a microscope,” she recalled. “I couldn’t step into sunlight, my face was swollen, and I didn’t know what I would do next in life.”
The emotional toll was equally heavy, as she struggled with uncertainty about her future in the industry during her recovery.
What’s Next for Mahima Chaudhry
On the work front, Mahima Chaudhry is currently promoting her upcoming romantic comedy Durlabh Prasad Ki Dusri Shadi, in which she stars opposite Sanjay Mishra. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 19.
