Tragic life: Divya Bharti could have been Raj's Simran in DDLJ, but...

She would have blown the candles to make a wish on turning 46 yesterday, if not for... India woke up to the shocking news of Divya Bharti's demise on the morning of April 6th, 1993 when the Samachar informed them of the unthinkable. If you believe in the number game, know, that she was the Numero Uno of her time, and many successful actresses wouldn't have had their run had Divya been in the race for a few more years.

Her acting career had a quivering start but picked pace soon. She was discovered at the age of 14 by filmmaker Nandu Tolani who wanted to sign her for Gunahon ke Devta, but her role was cancelled from the movie. Later, impressed by a video, Govinda's elder brother Kirti Kumar roped her in for Radha Ka Sangam, but Divya lost the film for her childish ways and was replaced by Juhi Chawla.

When D. Ramanaidu approached her for a Telugu film, she was struggling with a stalled Bollywood career. She signed the film but having faced repeated rejections in Bollywood, didn't attach too high hopes from this one either. But when Bobbili Raja hit the theaters in 1990, it astounded the makers, the actors and the audience alike and turned out to be a colossal hit.

From 1990 to 92, Divya's career in South Cinema sky-rocketed to unseen heights. She was not even 18, but she was already a star in the industry with an expanding fandom. Her back-to-back successes of this time include Rowdy Alludu, Assembly Rowdy, and Dharmakshetram that deserves a special mention for its super-hit music.

After conquering South, Divya decided on giving Bollywood a second chance. Her first Bollywood release was Vishwatma opposite Sunny Deol that released in 1992 to exceptional box-office collections. The film was a box-office slayer and brought a massive body of mesmerized fans to Divya Bharti.

Bollywood has never had scarcity of beautiful faces, but Divya carried an aura about herself. She had no high-cheekbones or a worked-out body. And yet, in her own divine way, she was a beauty like none other. Innocence dripped from her smile and those eyes could light-up the darkest of nights. The buzz of her beauty went around, and she became one of the most sought-after actresses after Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit.

Some of her notable works of this time were Deewana, Shola aur Shabnam, and Dil Ka Kya Kasoor. Hema Malini directed her opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Dil Aashna Hai but it could only do an average business at the ticket counter. Despite the stardom that is coveted by millions, Divya craved love and a home of her own.

She found love in Sajid Nadiadwala to whom she was introduced by Govinda. They fell in love almost immediately and had a clandestine marriage right after she turned 18. This wedding was witnessed by only a couple of close friends at the groom's residence. After marriage Divya Bharti became Sana Nadiadwala. Though the couple intended to keep the marriage a secret, a star can do only so much to keep her personal life away from the media.

Divya's sudden demise had left the industry in a state of utter shock. There were movies in the making and her absence had not only drained her co-artists emotionally but had hit producers financially as well. Gradually, Sridevi stepped in to her shoes to play the arrogant boss-lady in Ladla. Sajid Nadiadwala had planned to feature her in Judwa, which was delayed for years after her demise. The role thought for her was played by Rambha.

It is said that Divya Bharti was Aditya Chopra's original choice for playing Simran in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. With Deewana and Dil Aashna Hai her pairing with Shah Rukh Khan was already a loved one with fans. She would have looked perfect waiting in the middle of a mustard field in that iconic DDLJ scene. Do you think she Divya would have made a better Simran than Kajol? Sound off in the comment section below.