When Divya Bharti refused 'Aankhen' over Chunky Pandey pairing, claims producer Pahlaj Nihalani

Pahlaj Nihalani once recalled a casting change on 'Aankhen' and claimed that Divya Bharti refused the film after learning she would be paired opposite Chunky Pandey rather than Govinda. The former CBFC chief and producer said Divya, Pooja Bhatt, and Juhi Chawla were first considered for the film, which was headlined by Govinda. In a throwback revelation, Nihalani also claimed that Divya “threw a big tantrum” before walking away from the project.

Divya Bharti’s 'Aankhen' casting row

Speaking to Bollywood Thikana, Pahlaj Nihalani said the original plan was to cast Divya Bharti, Pooja Bhatt, and Juhi Chawla in 'Aankhen.' He said the issue began after Divya was told she would be paired with Chunky Pandey, while Ritu Shivpuri would be cast opposite Govinda.


Nihalani said, “Divya (Bharti), Pooja Bhatt and Juhi Chawla were supposed to do the film originally. I decided that Divya should be paired with Chunky and Ritu Shivpuri should be opposite Govinda. When David told her this, she was hassled.”


He claimed that Divya then called him and objected to the casting decision. “She called me up, and began threatening to do things. She threw a big tantrum, and summoned me. I went to meet her, and she said, ‘I’ve heard that I’m opposite Chunky?’ I said yes. She refused to do the film,” Nihalani said.

Pahlaj Nihalani recalls first meeting with Divya Bharti

In the same interview, Nihalani also spoke about his first impression of Divya before work began on 'Aankhen.' He said she had approached him through a secretary before the film went on the floors.


“We hadn’t started shooting the film yet, and she approached me via a secretary. I saw her pictures and felt she looked a little plump. I told the secretary that she must lose weight before starting work. In the meantime, we started shooting,” he said.


Nihalani added that Divya eventually began shooting for the film only five days before the schedule concluded. After her exit, Raageshwari was brought in for the role.


'Aankhen,' directed by David Dhawan, went on to become one of Govinda’s popular comedy films.