Mahima Chaudhary, known for her roles in popular Bollywood films, is making her return to the big screen after an 8-year hiatus, post her battle with breast cancer. The actress will appear in The Signature alongside Anupam Kher. Recently, Mahima opened up about a horrific car accident that occurred during the filming of Dil Kya Kare in 1999, where her face was severely injured. In a candid interview, she revealed how Ajay Devgn and director Prakash Jha helped her keep the incident a secret for over two decades.
The Accident That Changed Everything
While filming Dil Kya Kare, Mahima met with a car accident that left her with deep cuts on her face. Recalling the incident, she shared how unaware she was of the severity at first. “I didn’t realize the extent of the injuries until I saw myself in the mirror. Pieces of glass had entered my face, and I didn’t even feel the pain at first,” Mahima said.
She explained that her initial reaction was to continue shooting if the injuries weren’t too severe, but seeing her reflection made her realize the gravity of the situation.
A Desperate Plea for Privacy
Fearing the accident would ruin her acting career, Mahima Chaudhary made a special request to her co-star Ajay Devgn and director Prakash Jha. She begged them not to disclose the details of the accident, worrying that the industry might boycott her if word got out.
Mahima explained, “I was terrified that people in the industry would reject me after seeing my face. So, I asked Ajay and Prakash Ji not to tell anyone, and they respected my wish. They kept it a secret for 20 years.”
A Silent Struggle
The physical and emotional toll of the accident was immense for Mahima. She underwent multiple surgeries, yet one of her eyes remained smaller than the other, something she still deals with today. “Ajay would always reassure me that everything would be okay after the surgeries, but I couldn’t believe it then,” she said.
Mahima shared that this incident made her consider other career paths, as she doubted whether she could ever face the camera again. Even after returning to films, she always posed with her face slightly turned, never directly in front of the camera, to hide the difference in her eyes.
A Story Revealed After Two Decades
It wasn’t until Mahima herself decided to speak about the accident that the public became aware of the ordeal she had gone through. For over 20 years, Ajay Devgn and Prakash Jha kept their promise, protecting her privacy and allowing her to continue her career without the burden of her accident affecting her professional life.