#drama is Tere Bin for anyone wondering

[hanaasbananas]

I have watched three episodes of this drama and already I am thinking of ways to turn this into an ML fic what is wrong with me

[chameli]

This is for the lovely Olivia @changshapatrol and anyone else who wants to get to know Divya or relive their childhood memories of her. This list mostly includes her Hindi films because due to lack of subtitles, I haven’t seen a lot of her Telugu ones (although I really want to!!!). This took me forever to write, so I hope you find something that appeals to your tastes. Click the title of the film to watch it. Enjoy!

Bobbili Raja | 1990 | Telugu: First things first, the songs are SO good. This is Divya’s debut film and she plays a spoiled rich girl named Rani. Her character is annoying at first, but she gets better as the film progresses. Rani is in love with Raja, but their relationship is vehemently opposed by Rani’s shrewd politician mother. The chemistry between Divya and Venkatesh is cute. They bicker a lot at first, get caught up in hijinks, but then fall in love. 

Dil Ka Kya Kasoor | 1992 | Hindi: Divya plays the role of Shalini aka Shalu, a wealthy girl who has a passion for poetry. She is secretly in love with her classmate Arun, who despises her due to her rude behavior. This is one of her finest performances and she absolutely carries the film on her shoulders. Shalu is a complex character whom Divya played beautifully. She goes from being a brat, to a heartbroken girl who realizes she will never have her love, then finally someone who does not have much time to live. The ending is a tad bit dramatic, but oh well. Suresh Oberoi is endearing as Shalu’s older brother/father figure and Manjeet Kullar as her loving bhabhi. The songs are absolutely beautiful and melodious.

Deewana | 1992 | Hindi: The film that catapulted Divya into stardom. Despite a massive age difference with Rishi Kapoor, I think they actually had great chemistry. Divya is excellent as Kajal, a sweet yet sassy girl who is obsessed with her favorite singer, Ravi Kapoor. They fall in love, get married, and have a fairytale romance until her husband is murdered on their honeymoon. As the widowed Kajal, Divya expresses her grief and pain through her beautiful eyes. The once spunky girl is now a somber widow, until love finds her again. She looks absolutely adorable with SRK, who was then a newcomer. This is one film I can never get tired of watching. The ending still gets me to this day. The soundtrack is full of gems which still hold a place in my heart. Divya absolutely shines in this film.

Dil Aashna Hai | 1992 | Hindi: This is the story of Sitara, a cabaret dancer who is in search of her birth mother. However, she finds out it could be one of three very influential women. I’m not sure why this film was a flop, but I enjoyed it. Divya was fantastic and definitely held her own against the three more established actresses she shared space with. That being said, I really enjoyed the scenes showing the ladies bonding with Divya. They were so sweet. SRK plays the supportive love interest but he’s mostly in the background. He and Divya look incredibly adorable together, especially in the title song.

Geet | 1992 | Hindi: Divya is Neha, a popular singer who is sabotaged by her sleazy manager, played by the perpetually gross Shakti Kapoor. She then retreats to a small village where she meets Raja, her biggest stan (seriously, the guy is kind of a stalker). He paints posters for her concerts, but he wasn’t present at the last show where tragedy struck. Neha wants to put everything behind her but Raja keeps pestering her until she’s had enough. She plays a nasty trick on him, but they resolve their issues and become friends. I thought the hero was super annoying at first, but then I had a change of heart because he’s super endearing as he helps Neha claim what’s rightfully hers. The soundtrack is fantastic and so are the picturizations. I also really liked Divya’s clothes and styling in this film.

Dil Hi To Hai | 1992 | Hindi: This is actually a Jackie Shroff film, but Divya is an important character as well. Jackie plays identical twin princes: Harshvardhan, who is expected to take the throne and Govardhan, who is dorky and cowardly. Harshvardhan is fed up with his parents’ expectations, so he switches places with his twin and runs away. He and his royal adviser (played by the iconic Kader Khan) settle in a basti. He pretends to be a regular guy and meets Bharati (played by Divya), who HATES rich and privileged people. The other heroine is Shilpa Shirodkar, who is SMOKIN’. The main thing I really liked about this film is that they address mental health issues. Harsh feels trapped and lonely; he wants a life outside of the palace and riches. He just wants to be a regular person. His father basically tells him how to live his life, but Harsh wants to choose his own destiny.  Simultaneously, Govardhan learns to be more confident. This is something I haven’t really seen in the 90s, tbh. I like this film and I think it’s really underrated.

Kshatriya | 1993 | Hindi: Oh boy. This film has a HUGE starcast and a complex plot that spans two generations. But you know what? I love it. I constantly watch this one a lot and I don’t know why. The songs are wonderful and Divya has a small part, but she’s as charming and effervescent as ever. Basically it’s about two warring kingdoms who’ve suffered through their own Romeo & Juliet tragedy, and now are even more bitter towards each other. Divya’s love interest is Sanjay Dutt (YUCK!) and her character is very bubbly and cute. Especially in the song Main Khichi Chali Aayi Piya. There’s loads of violence, melodrama, and action but I enjoyed it. It was also Divya’s last release while she was alive.

Rang | 1993 | Hindi: This was the first film to be released after Divya’s death. Divya plays Kajal, a wealthy (and a bit spoiled) girl who lives with her mother Indu (Amrita Singh), awful grandmother (Bindu), and sweet yet passive grandfather (Kader Khan). Kajal falls in love with Yogi, which I can’t figure out WHY. Dude is so so bland and extremely unattractive. I guess he’s smart? Anyway, another girl is also in love with him. Pooja (Ayesha Jhulka) is a traditional, sweet girl who lives with her single father Ajay (Jeetendra). It turns out, the two girls are actually - *gasp* - SISTERS! But they have no idea and don’t find this out until way later. We get to see the dysfunctional relationships between all the characters: the parents, separated by a cruel streak of fate and misunderstandings. The sisters, in love with the same guy but unwilling to give him up. And finally, the grandparents: the passive husband who finally stands up to his witchy wife, who has ruined her daughter’s life and broke up her family. The songs are lovely, especially Tujhe Na Dekhoon and Tumhe Dekhen Meri Aankhein. There’s a really sweet tribute to Divya at the end which never fails to make me cry.

Shatranj | 1993 | Hindi: Divya’s last film. This is a remake of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. It’s a comedy/drama about three brothers who own a garage and hate women. Actually the older brother (played by Kader Khan) does, because of a childhood trauma involving his evil stepmother (rolling my eyes). So he raises his two younger brothers to follow suit. But they end up falling in love and try keeping it a secret from big brother. Jackie Shroff with Divya, who keeps showing up at the garage, and Mithun with Juhi (a very odd-looking pairing). It’s a fun yet drama filled comedy. I liked the scenes where the two couples are trying to make the older brother fall in love with the girl who’s obsessed with him. But the best thing about this film? Divya and Juhi, my two favorite actresses. Both ladies are absolutely stunning.

- Special Mentions -

Jaan Se Pyara | 1992 | Hindi: This is a cop drama which stars Govinda in a double role. Divya plays Sharmila, his girlfriend. She doesn’t have that many scenes but is an absolute delight none the less. Sharmila is feisty and sassy but also supportive and caring towards her man. Divya and Govinda have the best chemistry. I love their silly/playful bickering and banter. The scenes between her and the family are sweet as well. This film also has really great songs. My favorite Divya song EVER: Bin Tere Kuch Bhi Nahin. The picturization is lovely and the song is peak 90s romance. Chanchal Chandni has a sensual vibe while Taale Laga Le is super fun and upbeat. tbh I just watched Divya’s scenes and not the full film, so idk what happens.

Dushman Zamana | 1992 | Hindi: Okay, this film is just way too dramatic. Divya plays Seema, a rich girl who is actually nice and not bratty for a change. She’s in love with her schoolmate Vijay (the unattractive and untalented Armaan Kohli). Of course, he’s poor. And OF COURSE her father (Paresh Rawal) HATES him and constantly reminds Vijay he’s worthless. Paresh, who I usually think is a great actor, was way too much of a cartoon villain. The saving grace is that Divya looked extremely beautiful in this film. Plus, the song Mausam Pyaara Bheega Bheega is pure perfection. 

Balwaan | 1992 | Hindi: Suniel Shetty’s debut film, so the typical action drama. Divya plays Deepa, his college sweetheart. She’s a spunky girl but oh so charming. Her scenes with Suniel are adorable. And the songs, omg. Divya’s outfits were super cute, especially in the song Jalta Hai Badan (which is really sensual and takes place in a library lmao).

Rowdy Alludu (which I really want to see!) and Dharma Kshetram have amazing songs. Divya looks like a dream. Too bad there aren’t any English subs and I don’t understand Telugu :(

So, that concludes my list. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy these films as much as I have!