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This actress converted to Islam at 18 to marry a Muslim producer, she even changed her name to Sanah.

Bollywood has seen many love stories, but few are as touching and tragic as the love story of Divya Bharti and Sajid Nadiadwala. Their whirlwind romance, secret wedding and the sudden demise of a rising star. Divya met producer Sajid Nadiadwala while filming ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’ with Govinda. Sajid had come to the set to meet actor Govinda, but his eyes fell on Divya. According to reports, Sajid was in love at first sight. With time, their friendship grew stronger and soon turned into love.

Later, the couple got married in a private ceremony on 10 May 1992. Divya was just 18 years old at that time. But despite this big step in her life, she decided to hide the marriage, especially from her father Om Prakash Bharti. But the actress’s mother knew about it. The actress also converted from Hinduism to Islam to marry a Muslim filmmaker and changed her name to Sanah. The actress’s father was Punjabi and mother was Maharashtrian.

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Divya’s mother Mita Bharti revealed how her daughter kept her marriage a secret for months. Sajid used to come to meet Govinda on the sets of Shola Aur Shabnam and he got introduced to Divya. The same day, she asked me, ‘Maa, what do you think of Sajid?’ I said I like him. After a few days, she asked me if she could marry Sajid. I told her that she should ask her father. And her father was against it.

Divya Bharti’s father had his own ideas about Sajid, and he opposed it. When Divya turned 18, Divya called her mother and told her that she was getting married to Sajid that very day, and wanted her to sign as one of the witnesses. But the actress’ mother told her that she would not be able to come unless she told her father about it.’ Despite her mother’s warning, Divya got married. But instead of living with Sajid, she continued to live with her parents, meeting her husband occasionally. Her father had no idea about her secret wedding.

During Diwali, Sajid went to Divya’s family home and told her father the truth. Her mother further said, “A few months later, during Diwali, Sajid came to meet us. Her father and Sajid were talking when Sajid told him that he and Divya got married. Her father did not say a word. He kept quiet.”

Despite being upset at first, Divya’s father eventually accepted their marriage. Sadly, the couple did not get to enjoy their happy moments for long. Less than a year after their marriage, on 5 April 1993, Divya Bharti died after falling from the balcony of her apartment at the age of just 19.

Even though their togetherness was short-lived, Sajid remained close to Divya’s family, as per Bollywood Hungama’s report, he treated Divya’s parents like his own parents ever since they got married. Even after her departure, he continued to take care of them and fulfilled all the responsibilities of a son. Divya’s parents, Om Prakash Bharti and Mita Bharti, continued to be a part of Sajid’s life. They stayed with him and took care of him even many years after Divya left. In 2000, Sajid married journalist Warda Khan.