In the glittering 90s Bollywood landscape, few stars shone as brightly and briefly as Divya Bharti. Her infectious smile, youthful charm, and powerhouse performances in hits like ‘Vishwatma’, ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’, and ‘Deewana’ captured hearts across India. Tragically, at just 19, she left the world in a mysterious fall from her Mumbai apartment on April 5, 1993, leaving fans mourning what could have been a legendary career.
As we approach her birth anniversary on February 25, memories of Divya flood back, especially heartwarming anecdotes from her short but impactful journey. One such gem involves the legendary Sridevi, with whom Divya was often compared for her striking looks and screen presence.
In a candid old interview, Divya opened up about the first time someone likened her to the iconic actress. ‘I was thrilled,’ she recalled with her trademark bubbly enthusiasm. ‘When they said I looked like Sridevi, I thought, wow, what a compliment! She’s so beautiful and talented.’
But true to her grounded nature, Divya quickly dismissed any notion of rivalry or exact resemblance. When pressed if she saw the similarity herself, she humbly replied, ‘No, she’s far more gorgeous. Sridevi is tall, fair-skinned, and perfect. Me? I’ve got pimples, and makeup is just to hide them.’ This self-deprecating humor endeared her even more to audiences.
Divya’s rise was meteoric. Starting in South Indian cinema, she stormed Bollywood in 1992, becoming one of the decade’s top draws. Her death shocked the industry, sparking endless speculation, but her films ensure her legacy endures. Stories like this remind us of her vivacious spirit, proving why Divya Bharti remains a timeless icon.