Happy Birthday Ayesha Jhulka: Why 90s Kids Still Can’t Get Over Her As Anjali In ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’

Monday, July 28, 2025, 10:52

Born on July 28, 1972, Ayesha Jhulka is one of those actresses whose screen presence evokes an instant sense of nostalgia. While she appeared in numerous 90s hits like 'Khiladi', 'Rang', and 'Waqt Hamara Hai', it's her role as Anjali in 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' that truly cemented her in the hearts of a generation.

For many who grew up in the 90s, Ayesha wasn't the over-the-top glam heroine. She felt like someone you knew-down-to-earth, expressive, real. On her birthday, it's the perfect time to revisit why 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' still resonates, and why her character Anjali remains unforgettable.

Why 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' Still Resonates With Every Generation

Released in 1992, 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' was a coming-of-age drama that ditched Bollywood's usual melodrama in favour of grounded storytelling. Directed by Mansoor Khan, the film was set in a small-town school rivalry, exploring class divides, teenage love, sibling bonds, and identity-all tied together by a bicycle race.

The film didn't need a larger-than-life villain or action hero. It had relatable characters, lived-in settings, and the kind of youthful restlessness that continues to feel fresh even today. Its title track and "Pehla Nasha" became generational anthems-and its emotional beats still hold up after more than three decades.

Anjali Wasn't Just The Girl Next Door, She Was The Soul Of The Story

Ayesha Jhulka's Anjali was unlike the typical 90s Bollywood heroine. She wasn't coy, helpless, or decorative. She worked in her father's garage. She teased Sanjay (Aamir Khan), challenged his ego, and supported him unconditionally when life got hard.

In a love triangle where the audience was supposed to be dazzled by the glamorous Devika (Pooja Bedi), Anjali quietly stole the show. Her chemistry with Sanjay didn't rely on drama-it was built on childhood memories, shared frustrations, and emotional honesty.

That's exactly why she struck a chord. For many, she was the friend you missed, the crush you never confessed to, or the silent support system you only understood in hindsight.

The Original "School Of Cool" With A Heart

What also made Ayesha's Anjali stand out was how modern she felt without trying. Her sporty wardrobe-simple tees, high-waisted jeans, ribboned ponytails-blended seamlessly with the character's confidence and warmth. She wasn't trying to be fashionable. She just was.

The film's tone was sincere, and so was she. Anjali wasn't just written as the girl who gets the guy in the end, she was the reason the guy becomes someone worth rooting for. It's her belief in Sanjay that makes him believe in himself. That subtle power-delivered so effortlessly by Ayesha still stands out in a film full of now-iconic moments.

The Unfading Charm Of Anjali In 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar'

In today's cinema landscape, we talk a lot about strong female characters. But 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' gave us one back in 1992, without ever calling attention to it.

Anjali wasn't strong because she threw a punch or gave a monologue-she was strong because she called out Sanjay's selfishness, held him accountable, and showed up when it mattered most.

And Ayesha Jhulka played her with such emotional precision that even now, younger audiences discovering the film on OTT platforms feel her impact.

On Her Birthday, We Celebrate Not Just Ayesha Jhulka But 'Anjali'

Ayesha Jhulka may have stepped away from the spotlight in the 2000s, only to return later in web series like 'Hush Hush' and 'Happy Family'. But for millions of fans, she'll always be Anjali from Model College, racing through the streets of Dehradun, fixing bikes, standing by Sanjay, and stealing the film with grace.

On her birthday, it's not just her beauty or charm we remember, it's how authentically she portrayed a kind of love and loyalty that doesn't go out of style. In a film filled with adrenaline and angst, Ayesha's Anjali was its emotional centre.

And that's why she's still unforgettable.