Dipshikkha Nagppal on joining the industry: Dev (Anand) Saab was persistent, convinced me to work with him

The journey of actress Dipshikkha Nagppal into showbiz has been a rather special one. The actress, who is currently seen in Megha Barsenge on Colors TV, says that it was the legend Dev Anand who encouraged her to start acting.

“My family, particularly my Nanaji, was already part of the film industry. My Nanaji, from the silent era, had given breaks to legends like Dada Muni (Ashok Kumar) and Mehmood. My mom was a heroine in Gujarati films, and my dad was a director, writer, and actor. Dev Anand, the legend, was looking for girls for his movie, and my mother took my sister and me to meet him. To my surprise, Dev Saab wanted to sign me, not my sister, even though she was the one aspiring to become an actress. I was shocked and initially turned down the offer because acting was never my dream—I wanted to be Miss India or an independent corporate woman, maybe even a fashion designer. But Dev Saab was persistent, and eventually, he convinced me to work with him. I still remember his words: ‘Work with me, Deepshikha, and then don’t work with anyone else if you don’t want to.’ I finally agreed, though I insisted he also sign my sister. My first film was Gangster, and even though I thought it would be my last, it wasn’t. The industry started noticing me, especially after Barsaat Ki Raat took five years to complete. People kept comparing me to Parveen Babi, and I began enjoying the journey,” she says.

In fact, she was also offered a film before that, but she ended up refusing that offer. “Before Gangster, I was offered Karan Arjun by Rakesh Roshan, a role that eventually went to Mamta Kulkarni. It’s one of my biggest regrets that I turned it down, hoping my sister would get the role instead. But life moved on, and I became a Dev Anand discovery. Later in life, I shifted my focus from films to television after getting married. Around the same time, Maureen Wadia’s Gladrags Mrs. India pageant was launched, and I decided to participate. It was something I wanted to experience for myself—what it felt like to be part of such a prestigious event. I entered the 2003 Mrs. India competition and won first runner-up, along with being named the Kohinoor Woman of the Year. Looking back, I’m proud of my journey, despite some missed opportunities like Karan Arjun and not pursuing Miss India when I was younger. But I believe everything happens for a reason. Now, I hope that if my daughter ever wants to follow in my footsteps or seek guidance, I’ll be there to support her,” she says.