Juhi Chawla did not think she could play the negative role in Gulaab Gang

"When she (Juhi) heard the script, she said that I was quite mad to even consider her for this role, and that’s how could I possible envision her as Sumitra Devi," says director Soumik Sen.

Known to have mostly played bubbly characters throughout her career, Juhi Chawla will be seen in a negative role for the first time in director Soumik Sen’s debut, Gulaab Gang.

Apparently, Sen had a tough time convincing the actor to play the character of a politician. "When she heard the script, she said that I was quite mad to even consider her for this role, and that’s how could I possible envision her as Sumitra Devi.:"

However, the director described the character to her in minute detail so that she considers the project. "I explained to her the unique mannerisms and character traits; as one sees in the trailer. Her demeanour is calm, cunning, conniving with quiet ruthlessness, which makes her truly menacing. Finally, Juhi got convinced in the next meeting and she came on board," says Soumik.

Sen is certain the audience will love Juhi in her new avatar. “She will leave people thunderstruck since we’re just so used to seeing her epitomise wonderfulness all the time,” he says. A woman-centric film, Gulaab Gang, also stars Madhuri Dixit.

In an interview to IANS, Juhi Chawla said that was her last chance to work with . "I think this ('Gulaab Gang') was the last chance I got to work with her (Madhuri Dixit) and I don't think we will again get a chance to work together in future," Juhi told reporters Monday at the screening of Bengali movie Jatishwar.

Madhuri and Juhi were contemporaries in the 1990s but they never worked together during their prime. Gulaab Gang has a very strong script and Juhi felt that such stories are not churned out in bulk, therefore, she isn't so hopeful of seeing her and Madhuri on the big screen together again.



"It happens once in a lifetime when we get such a good script and where we can work together with such dedication. So, I don't imagine that we will again be working (together). That's why the film is exciting for us as actors," said Juhi.

Juhi recalls the time when she missed the opportunity to work with Madhuri because of rivalry. "There were times when I had a chance to work with Madhuri, but at that time we were rivals and I was like, 'I will not work with Madhuri at all'," Juhi spoke candidly.



"Now I agreed to do the film () as I felt it would be an amazing cast with such an awesome script," she added. Gulaab Gang, co-written by director Soumik Sen and producer Anubhav Sinha, is inspired by a group of women activists in the Bundelkhand region and talks about women empowerment.



It features Juhi and Madhuri in completely opposite roles. While Madhuri stands for justice, Juhi stands for political power as she plays a stubborn politician.



Gulaab Gang is , a day before International Women's Day.



(with inputs from IANS)