Mahima Chaudhry, the Bollywood actress best known for her debut in the 1997 film "Pardes," has recently opened up about the challenges she faced early in her career. In a recent interview, Chaudhry revealed that she was "thrown out of films and taken to court" shortly after her initial success.
Chaudhry, born Ritu Chaudhry, entered the film industry after a successful stint in modeling and television commercials. She gained recognition after appearing in a Pepsi commercial alongside Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai. Director Subhash Ghai suggested she change her name to Mahima, believing the letter "M" to be lucky for his leading ladies.
Her role in "Pardes" opposite Shah Rukh Khan, where she played a village girl, was a significant hit, earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. However, this success was quickly followed by unexpected obstacles.
According to Chaudhry, these setbacks were not based on truth. While she didn't explicitly detail the exact nature of the accusations or legal proceedings, her statement suggests that she faced unwarranted challenges that impacted her career trajectory.
Following her debut, Mahima starred in several films, including "Daag: The Fire" (1999), where she played a dual role, "Dhadkan" (2000), and "Kurukshetra" (2000). She also received critical acclaim for her performances in "Dil Kya Kare" (1999) and "Lajja" (2001).
In 1999, while filming "Dil Kya Kare," Chaudhry was involved in a car accident that resulted in facial injuries requiring surgery. This accident forced her to take a break from acting.
Mahima ventured into regional cinema, taking on roles in Bengali and Punjabi films, showcasing her versatility. In 2010, she appeared in the film "Pusher" and the thriller "Mumbhaii - The Gangster".
In 2022, Mahima Chaudhry shared her experience with breast cancer, discussing her diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. In 2021, she campaigned for candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal elections. She has also expressed support for Prime Minister Modi.
