Meet the actress who was discovered by the legendary Dev Anand and drew comparisons to the iconic Parveen Babi.
This Bollywood actress has made a significant mark through numerous television shows and films. She shared that her journey into acting was inspired by the legendary Dev Anand, who encouraged her to pursue this path. With a family deeply rooted in cinema—her maternal grandfather having provided opportunities to icons like Dada Muni (Ashok Kumar) and Mehmood since the silent film era—it’s no surprise that the arts ran in her blood.
Her mother was an actress in Gujarati films, while her father worked as a director, writer, and actor. It was during Dev Anand’s search for new talent that her mother introduced her and her sister to the world of film, setting the stage for her own illustrious career. Can you guess which diva are we talking about?
Today we are talking about, Bollywood diva, Deepshika. She expressed her surprise when she learned that Dev Anand wanted to sign her instead of her sister, despite her sister’s aspirations to act. “I initially declined his offer,” she recalled, “because acting was never my dream. I had always envisioned myself as Miss India or even a fashion designer. However, Dev Sahab was persistent and eventually convinced me to take the plunge and work with him.” This pivotal moment not only shaped her career but also marked the beginning of her journey in the entertainment industry.
Reflecting on her time with the late Parveen Babi, the actress fondly recalled their conversations: “I still remember her words—’Deepshikha, work with me. If you don’t want to, then don’t work with anyone else.’ Eventually, I agreed, but I insisted that my sister be signed on as well.” Her debut film, Gangster, initially felt like it would be her swan song, but instead, it opened doors she never anticipated. The industry began to take notice, and as comparisons to Parveen Babi emerged, she found herself embracing this exciting journey with newfound enthusiasm.
Deepshikha revealed a fascinating piece of her career history: she was offered a role in the iconic 1995 film Karan Arjun, featuring superstars Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. “I was approached by Rakesh Roshan for the film, and I still regret turning it down,” she admitted. At the time, she was immersed in her work on Dev Anand’s Gangster.
After her marriage, Deepshikha decided to shift her focus from films to television. Around that time, Maureen Wadia launched the Gladrags Mrs. India contest, and she seized the opportunity to participate. “I wanted to experience this new adventure for myself.”
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