Actress Juhi Chawla, a beloved icon of the 90s and the star of many memorable Bollywood films, recently shared a heartwarming and poignant tale from her life. Speaking at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Juhi reminisced about her wedding to industrialist Jay Mehta, revealing that the grand celebration initially planned with 2000 guests was ultimately canceled, resulting in a more intimate and cherished ceremony.
Juhi, who has been married to Jay Mehta for 29 years, disclosed that the couple’s journey to matrimony was not without its emotional hurdles. The actress lost her mother just a year before her wedding, which deeply affected her spirit and outlook toward the impending nuptials. Engaged in some of the biggest films of her career at the time, Juhi found herself at a crossroads, grappling with the void left by her mother’s absence and the prospect of balancing her personal and professional lives.
Recalling those emotionally-fraught days, Juhi shared, “I was shooting for some of the really big films of my career, and I was supposed to get married. My mother had just passed a year ago. When the marriage date was coming close, I was thinking my mother is gone, whom I loved the most, and now my career will also go away. I didn’t know how to be happy about it. So, I broke down one day and I told my mother-in-law and she said, ‘It’s okay.’”
In an act of understanding and compassion, Juhi’s mother-in-law played an instrumental role in shifting the course of events. “She convinced the family to not have the big wedding,” Juhi revealed. Consequently, the couple opted for a smaller, more personal ceremony at home, attended by just 80-90 close family members and friends. “Imagine your mother-in-law canceling the invites that had already been sent out,” Juhi added, highlighting the extraordinary support she received.
The decision to scale down the wedding allowed Juhi to find solace and completeness in the presence of those closest to her, creating an environment that honored her mother’s memory while celebrating her new journey. This unexpected turn of events painted a beautiful picture of familial support and the importance of intimate connections over grand gestures.
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Beyond the wedding, Juhi also opened up about the quaint and affectionate courtship she and Jay shared before tying the knot. During her appearance on the special episode ‘Jashn Juhi Ka’ of the celebrity dance reality show ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa,’ she delved into how their love blossomed through a series of heartfelt gestures and tender moments.
“Before marriage, he used to write letters to me every day,” Juhi recalled with a smile. “But all of that stopped after marriage,” she added humorously. The era of handwritten letters and cards marked the early days of their relationship, a charming practice that has since evolved into modern communication through emails and WhatsApp messages. Juhi’s recollections paint a vivid picture of old-school romance interspersed with contemporary realities.
One particularly memorable incident from their courtship involved a grand romantic gesture from Jay. Juhi shared how Jay first tried to capture her attention at a dinner where they initially met and gradually started “hovering around me.” As a grand romantic gesture, Jay once sent Juhi a truck full of red roses on her birthday. Despite this overwhelming display of affection, it took Juhi about a year to accept his proposal. “And I took a year to say ‘yes’ to him,” she said, underlining the thoughtful and patient progression of their relationship.
On her professional front, Juhi continues to entertain audiences with her diverse roles and performances. She was last seen in the Amazon Prime Video series ‘Hush Hush,’ a thriller that also stars Soha Ali Khan, Kritika Kamra, Karishma Tanna, and Shahana Goswami. The show has been well-received for its engaging storyline and compelling performances, keeping Juhi in the limelight and showcasing her enduring talent in the entertainment industry.
These personal anecdotes from Juhi Chawla’s life not only provide a glimpse into the lesser-known aspects of her life but also underscore the importance of empathy, understanding, and simplicity in a world often obsessed with grandeur. Her stories stand as a testament to the strength of familial bonds and the beauty of intimate celebrations, resonating deeply with her fans and admirers across the globe.
