‘PEOPLE STILL REMEMBER ME AS SITA’
Deepika Chikhalia, who is making a comeback to acting with a Gujarati film, says though she would like to work in TV again, she is keen to try roles that defy her set image
Though Deepika Chikhalia did many movies before and after Ramananad Sagar’s Ramayan (1987), she is still remembered for her performance as Sita in the iconic TV show. After her last film Khudai (1994) with the late actor Rajesh Khanna, the actor now returns to the arclights with the Gujarati remake of the hit Marathi film Natsamrat (2016) starring Nana Patekar, and a Hindi film, Galib. Deepika talks about her comeback, working on television, and her image as Sita.
Why did you choose to comeback with a Gujarati film?
I was toying with the idea of taking up acting again for years. I got many offers for TV shows too in the last couple of years and the roles got better and better. But I had a time constraint as I have two young daughters who needed me and I wasn’t comfortable leaving them at home and working full time. When I got the offer to play the wife’s role in the Gujarati version of Natsamrat, I felt the role was perfect for me as we didn’t move away too much from my image as Sita. I could identify with it as it is a strong silent character who wears a sari and a bindi. I enjoyed doing the role and hope the audiences love it. As for a Gujarati, I speak it very well so I felt comfortable. I have also shot for a Hindi film called Galib, which is a film about a terrorist, and will do the rounds of the festival circuit soon.
Television made you a household name and even today people remember you as Sita. What kind of reaction do you get when people see you on the streets or at the airport or malls?
Back then, it was all about devotion. The respect and love we all got was unbelievable. But even today, people still remember me as Sita and keep telling me how much they loved my role. The best part is that people feel I haven’t changed much and I look just like I did when I acted in Ramayan. It is a huge compliment. It makes me feel quite special that people still recognise and remember me as it has been so many years since the show ended.
Are you looking at only doing films now or working on television too?
I would like to do television at some point, as most of the offers I got were from
Today I have a name in the industry, and I want to look at roles that satisfy me creatively. I am looking for strong roles. DEEPIKA CHIKHALIA,
ACTOR
television. But the time constraint was always a problem. I can’t shoot for 12 hours a day. I want to do films for now. I would also like to do plays and any role that interests me. Right now, I am keen to try roles that are unlike Sita’s image. Today, for me, it is not about being established as an actor in the industry as I already have a name. When I started out, I wanted to be established as an actor. Today I have a name in the industry, and I want to look at roles that satisfy me creatively. I am looking for roles that are strong — perhaps a comedy or a negative role.