Juhi Chawla Was the First Choice for Draupadi in Mahabharat, Reveals Renu Chopra
The legendary TV show Mahabharat, directed by B.R. Chopra, remains one of the most iconic mythological series ever made. Even after more than three decades, its popularity hasn’t faded. Recently, Renu Chopra, wife of Ravi Chopra (son of B.R. Chopra), shared an interesting story about the casting of the show.
In an exclusive chat with Pinkvilla, Renu Chopra revealed that Juhi Chawla was initially selected for the role of Draupadi. However, fate had other plans, leading to a big change in the show’s casting.
Juhi Chawla Was Cast as Draupadi, But Then This Happened
Talking about the casting process, Renu Chopra said,
“Juhi is an amazing girl. She was chosen to play Draupadi, and the preparations for Mahabharat took nearly two and a half years, maybe even more. During this time, Juhi got an offer for the film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. She had signed a contract with us, which meant she couldn’t take up any other projects.”
However, Juhi had her eyes set on Bollywood. She approached B.R. Chopra with a request.
“Juhi came to us and said, ‘Chopra saab, I got this film. I don’t know when Mahabharat will be made, so please let me go.’”
According to Renu, B.R. Chopra understood her situation and responded warmly.
“He said, ‘Yes, no problem, child. Go and do the film. I will give Draupadi’s role to someone else because I want new faces.’ And that’s how she got out of it.”
Eventually, the role of Draupadi went to Roopa Ganguly, who delivered a memorable performance that is still praised today.
Juhi Chawla’s Special Bond with the Chopras
Even though Juhi didn’t play Draupadi, she shares a deep connection with the Chopra family to this day. Renu Chopra recalled,
“Even today, whenever Juhi visits our home, she bows down at our doorstep. Whether it’s Diwali, Holi, or any special occasion, the first hamper she sends always comes to our house—even after all these years. She is an amazing woman.”
Mahabharat – A Show That Made History
For those who don’t know, B.R. Chopra made history by bringing Mahabharat to television. The show became a massive success and remains one of India’s most legendary TV series.
- Nitish Bharadwaj played Krishna
- Mukesh Khanna portrayed Bhishma Pitamah
- Roopa Ganguly became the final choice for Draupadi
Even though Juhi Chawla didn’t get to play Draupadi, her journey in Bollywood turned out to be a huge success. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak became a blockbuster, launching her into stardom alongside Aamir Khan.
This behind-the-scenes story just proves how one decision can change the course of a career!
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