I'm open to doing something unusual, again: Juhi Chawla

Mumbai: Breaking away from her “bubbly and positive” image in Bollywood, Juhi Chawla played the grey shade character of Sumitra Devi in 2014 film 'Gulaab Gang'. The actress says she would “love” to play more negative roles if they will be “fantastic and edgier”.

“I would love to do more negative roles. I am open to doing something unusual again but I am spoiled after the experience of 'Gulaab Gang'. The next negative character has to be something fantastic and edgier than Sumitra Devi,” Juhi said here.

During her career, the 47-year-old mostly appeared in romantic or comic roles in films like 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak', 'Bol Radha Bol', 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke', 'Darr', 'Ishq', “Son of Sardaar” and 'Bhootnath'. So, a negative role was a change.

"In 20 years of my career, I was only known for my bubbly, positive, sweet roles. I was apprehensive to play this kind of character who was completely evil from the first to last scene. So, I refused the role at first. But I liked the spunk in 'Gulaab Gang'," Juhi added.

In 'Gulaab Gang', which will be aired on Zee Action on August 22, she also got a chance to feature with her contemporary Madhuri Dixit.

“Initially, I was quite apprehensive about how would we work together. But before we started shooting, Soumik (director Soumik Sen) called Madhuri and me to his office. We sat and chatted for a couple of hours and for me, that really broke the ice. I told her that it's really a good script and with us cast together for the first time, this film should go places,” Juhi said.

The actress, who believes in "equality for women and in women empowerment", is content with the way her career shaped up in Indian films.

"When I look back at my career and my life and how much I have learnt, I feel blessed with what I have. I have stopped fighting with myself.

“There is an amazing power getting to know your inner self and learning how to use it and not fight with the world. If you know what makes you happy, your personality, interests and capabilities, just use them and everything else flows beautifully,” she said.

Juhi will next be seen in 'Chalk n Duster' along with Shabana Azmi, Zarina Wahab and Divya Dutta.