Juhi Chawla turns 59: actor who gave up IAS dream is among India's richest actresses

Actress Juhi Chawla is celebrating her 59th birthday today. She has won a place in the hearts of millions of Bollywood viewers with her acting, her beauty and her bright laughter. Here are some notable aspects of her life.

Chawla was born in Ambala, Haryana, and was educated in Mumbai. She was a bright student and prepared for examinations with full commitment. Her father wanted her to complete her studies and become an IAS officer, while her mother wished her to build a career in the private sector. But Chawla dreamt of doing something different. She felt that if she got a chance to build a career in acting and entertainment, she would certainly try.

Her life took a new turn during her college days. She took part in a competition at college and won first place. Around the same time, applications were being invited for the Miss India contest. A few of her friends had filled in the forms, and seeing them, Chawla decided to apply as well. She won the Miss India contest in 1984. The success opened the doors of the entertainment world for her.

After becoming Miss India, Chawla decided to enter films. She made her Bollywood debut with the film "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak". Her pairing with Aamir Khan in the film was especially liked by audiences. She made a place for herself with viewers from her very first film. She went on to work in many well-known films and built a distinct identity in Bollywood.

Chawla has not confined herself to acting and has also made a big leap in business. With her husband Jay Mehta and actor Shah Rukh Khan, she is a co-owner of the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). She also invests in real estate. She has been a partner with Shah Rukh Khan in the production companies Red Chillies Entertainment and Dreams Unlimited.

Chawla's net worth is reported to be around Rs 7,790 crore, which is why she is counted among the country's richest actresses. Once expected to become an IAS officer, she followed her dreams and has found major success in both the entertainment world and business.