Director Rajiv Rai is opening up about a deep sorrow he still carries. He is famous for hit films in the 1990s like ‘Tridev,’ ‘Vishwatma,’ ‘Mohra,’ and ‘Gupt.’ But it’s his memories of launching actress Divya Bharti that bring a quiet sadness. In a recent chat with Amar Ujala, Rai shared some moving details about her life and untimely death.
Rai is set to make a comeback to Bollywood after nearly twenty years. His next project is a suspense thriller called ‘Jora.’ Yet, even with new work on the horizon, the pain of Divya’s sudden passing remains strong for him. He spoke openly about how deeply her loss affected him.
Bringing Divya Bharti to the Big Screen
Rai recalls the day he first met Divya Bharti. Many producers in the industry had turned her down. This saddened him greatly. He saw a beautiful and talented young woman struggling to find work. He did not even ask her to do a screen test. He just talked to her and knew she was special, unique in some way.
Their second meeting was even more emotional. Divya was very upset. She pleaded with him, “No one is giving me work. I just need dates, I’m not asking for money.” She kept reminding him that when he first signed her, she was unknown. Now that she was a star, why was he refusing her? Her question was fair, he admits, and he had no good answer for her.
Her Determination for ‘Mohra’
Divya’s drive was incredible, Rai shared. For the film ‘Mohra,’ she came to his house and waited until he gave her the role. She arrived at three in the afternoon and stayed until late evening. She told him clearly, “I am not asking for money, just tell me why you are refusing me?” Her sheer will and passion left a big impression on him. He finally signed her for the movie.
They even started filming. They shot for ten days, but then the tragic accident happened. Everything was left unfinished.
Divya Bharti’s Legacy Lives On
Rajiv Rai feels that he truly launched Divya Bharti in the right way. She was not only a fantastic actress but also a person with a good heart. He knew her parents well; they were lovely people. Her passing was a huge loss for the film industry and for everyone who knew her. It was a talent that never got to fully shine.
People remember her even today, and rightly so. Her popularity is still alive and will continue to be. Rai lamented that nothing can change what happened. She will not come back. He still remembers the day he saw her body in the hospital. He could not believe it was real. He received a call and quickly arrived there, one of the first, with Shabbir by his side.
The Lingering Sadness of Her Loss
Rai thinks about how Hollywood remembers stars like Marilyn Monroe, who also passed away too soon. When a young, gifted person leaves the world early, their unfinished work and untold stories stay deeply in people’s hearts. The same happened with Divya Bharti. Many theories surfaced about her death. However, Rai believes it was simply an accident. People spread many stories of conspiracies, but he feels these ideas distract from the real truth. The reality is she was a victim of an accident, and we can only feel the pain of that loss. Divya Bharti remains alive in our hearts, and she always will.