Mumbai: Dipshikkha Nagppal never dreamt of becoming an actress, but destiny had other plans. Best known today for her role in Megha Barsenge on Colors TV, her journey began unexpectedly with the legendary Dev Anand himself.
Coming from a family steeped in film history—her Nanaji introduced icons like Ashok Kumar and Mehmood to cinema, and her parents were active in the Gujarati film industry—Dipshikkha was no stranger to the world of entertainment. However, acting wasn’t on her radar. “I wanted to be Miss India or a corporate woman, maybe a fashion designer,” she recalls.
But a meeting with Dev Anand changed everything. “My mother took my sister and me to meet him, as he was casting for a movie. To my shock, he wanted to sign me, not my sister. I refused at first, but Dev Saab was persistent,” she says. Eventually, she relented, making her debut in Gangster. What she thought would be her only film opened doors, and comparisons to Parveen Babi soon followed.
Despite some regrets, like turning down Karan Arjun, Dipshikkha is proud of her journey. “Winning Mrs. India 2003’s first runner-up was another highlight, but I believe everything happened for a reason. Today, I stand ready to support my daughter, if she ever chooses to walk this path.” (with inputs from agencies)