Although she was born in Ambala, Juhi later relocated to Bombay and attended Fort Convent School, Bombay. Soon after completing her higher secondary education, she pursued her graduation at Sydenham College, Bombay. Subsequently, after completing her graduation, she pursued her career in the modeling industry.

Family

Juhi’s father, S. Chawla, was an officer of the Indian Revenue Service. Meanwhile, her mother, Ms. Mona Chawla, was the head of housekeeping for all the Taj Hotels in India. Unfortunately, Mona Chawla died in a car accident in Prague in 1998.

She had two siblings, Bobby Chawla and Sonia Chawla. Her brother, Bobby Chawla, was the CEO of Red Chillies Entertainment. In 2010, he suffered a massive stroke, following which he went into a coma. In 2014, he died after four years spent in a coma. Unfortunately, her sister, Sonia Chawla, died in 2012 after battling cancer.

Career

Early Career

Juhi Chawla initially stepped into the modeling industry. Along with other modeling shows, in 1984, Juhi Chawla won the title of Miss India.
With the popularity she garnered by winning the Miss India pageant, she was offered a small role in the 1986 film Sultanat. Hence, she made her acting debut as Zarina in Sultanat.

The Breakthrough Role

Juhi played the role of Shashikala in the Kannada film Premaloka, which was dubbed in Tamil as Paruva Ragam.
In 1988, Juhi received her breakthrough role with the Hindi film Qayamat se Qayamat Tak, wherein she played the role of Rashmi.
Subsequently, between 1989 and 2000, Juhi Chawla worked in some very popular films including Goonj (1989), Pratibandh (1990), Bol Radha Bol (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke (1993), Darr (1993), Yes Boss (1997), and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000).

Acting Projects (2000- Current)

Nevertheless, Juhi Chawla’s prominence started to lessen in the 21st century. In 2001, she appeared in the comedy film Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya, wherein she played Jhumri.
Meanwhile, some of her other popular films in recent years are Bhootnath (2008), Gulaab Gang (2014), and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019).
Moreover, in 2023, she worked in only one film, Friday Night Plan, wherein she played Sid and Adi’s mother.

Awards won by Juhi Chawla

In 1989, she won the Filmfare Lux New Face Award for her film ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’, directed by Mansoor Khan.
Meanwhile, in 1994, Juhi won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for ‘Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke’, directed by Mahesh Bhatt.
In the year 1999, she received a Bollywood Movie Award in the Most Sensational Actress category for ‘Duplicate’, which was directed by Mahesh Bhatt.
She received the Star Screen Award in 2004 for the Best Supporting Actress category for her film ‘3 Deewarein’, directed by NageshKukunoor. In 2010, she received the same award for the Best Ensemble Cast for ‘Luck By Chance’.
In 2004, Juhi received the Sansui Best Supporting Actress Award for ‘Jhankaar Beats’, directed by Sujoy Ghosh.

Credit: Juhi Chawla at Instagram

Juhi Chawla’s net worth?

As of 2025, Juhi has an estimated net worth of $580 Million, which in INR is 4600 Crores approximately. Besides, brand endorsements, acting projects, and other business ventures majorly contribute to Juhi Chawla’s net worth.

Juhi Chawla’s Relationship Timeline

Shah Rukh Khan

One of the known rumored affairs of Juhi Chawla was with Bollywood’s Badshah, Shah Rukh Khan. In the 1990s, Shah Rukh Khan was accused of having an extramarital affair with Juhi Chawla. However, later, Khan not only refuted the rumors but stopped signing any films with Juhi Chawla. Shah Rukh Khan mentioned “The minute I pose with a woman for a movie magazine, they’ll slap an ugly signature on it. Magazines require sensationalism to sell more copies, but I refuse to contribute to the waste.”

Aamir Khan

Soon after Juhi Chawla appeared alongside Aamir Khan in Qayamat se Qayamat Tak, rumors circulated about the duo dating. However, none of them confirmed the same. Although, in a media interaction, Aamir Khan, commented about it and said, “Madhuri ke saath mera affair hai, yeh aaya hai. Juhi ke saath mera affair hai, yeh bhi aaya hai. Pooja Bhatt ko maine shadi propose ki hai, yeh bhi aaya hai. Toh kaafi cheezein aayi hai lekin main in cheezon se affect nahi hota hoon.”

Salman Khan

Although there were no affair rumors between Juhi Chawla and Salman, he sent a marriage proposal to Juhi Chawla in the late 90s. However, Khan was rejected. This was confirmed by none other than Salman himself. He mentioned that he approached his father for marriage; however, was instantly rejected.

Jay Mehta

There were rumors that Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta knew each other before Chawla ventured into the film industry. Earlier married to Yash Birla’s sister, Sujata Birla, Jay Mehta, 64, is six years older than Juhi Chawla. It was then Jay in 1990 who lost his wife in a tragic flight crash following which he got closer to Juhi Chawla.

Moving along with a secret marriage in 1995, Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta’s relationship came out of wraps when Juhi was expecting her first child, Jahnavi Mehta (Born: 2001). The popular couple, Juhi and Jay Mehta have two children, Jahanvi Mehta and a son, Arjun Mehta.

Do You Know These Lesser Known Facts About Juhi Chawla?

Many media outlets and netizens mention Juhi Chawla as a “Gold-digger.” Moreover, Juhi is often criticized for marrying someone with a major age gap. However, for the unversed, Jay Mehta and Juhi Chawla, have an age gap of six years which is healthy in Indian weddings.
Before venturing into the film industry, Juhi Chawla was a model.
Owing to a petty disagreement between Juhi Chawla and Aamir Khan, they didn’t talk to each other for more than six years. However, later, they patched up.
In a media interaction, Juhi mentioned her daughter, Jahanavi Chawla, and claimed that her daughter is not pursuing a career in acting. She wants to become a writer.
Although born in Ambala, Haryana, Juhi shifted to Mumbai owing to her mother’s job in the Taj hotel, in Bombay.
A media report claims that Juhi Chawla was selected to portray “Draupadi” in the TV series Mahabharat. However, owing to the clash of shooting dates of Qayamat se Qayamat Tak and Mahabharat, she opted for the former.
Juhi Chawla was the original choice of the 1996 blockbuster film Raja Hindustani. However, it was later done by Karishma Kapoor.

Aditi Raj

Aditi Raj is a media and entertainment enthusiast with a journalism degree and two years of writing experience. Passionate about movies, music, and pop culture, Aditi crafts engaging content that reflects her in-depth industry knowledge. She's a dynamic storyteller who keeps audiences informed and entertained, bringing her unique perspective to the ever-evolving world of media and entertainment.