After being part of one of the most popular series on television, ‘#DiyaAurBaatiHum’, actress #DeepikaSingh has recently done a film titled ‘#TituAmbani’. In between she did a double role in a serial, ‘#KavachMahashivratri’. Deepika hails from New Delhi and has a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She gave an audition for ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’ from a parlour in Malaviya Nagar in Delhi and in couple of days she was on the sets of the serial in Mumbai. She married her serial’s director Rohit Raj Goyal and the couple has a son. Deepika is an exponent of a classical dance form, Odissi, and is preparing for the practical exam i.e. ‘Visharad’. Our Sr Editor spoke to Deepika Singh and here are excerpts.
How was the experience of transition from a small screen to big screen?
I debuted on the big screen with ‘Titu Ambani’. Obviously it was a fabulous experience as it was directed by my husband Rohit Raj Goyal. It also features Raghubir Yadav and Tusshar Pandey. The film revolves around a simple girl who has her set of values, rules and she wants to financially support her parents even after marriage. It is a simple love story of a middle class family but the message offered can start conversation around a topic of a girl offering economic support to her parents after marriage too.
The film is now available on Jio Cinema and hopefully it reaches maximum number of people. It has airborne rights too and could be watched while travelling on plane of some of the airlines. Recently it was part of Moonwhite Films International Film Fest (MWFIFF) and received great response. I really want to thank the jury members, including Shri Anup Jalota ji, for selecting the film for this festival. Actually Titu Ambani has been travelling around in most of the International Film Festivals. It’s been part of Toronto and Melbourne International Film Festivals. It has been part of more than 25 film festivals and has been recipient of multiple awards. I too have bagged couple of awards for Best Actress.
The film revolves around a girl taking care of her parents after marriage too. I had the script in hand and the director gave me liberty to perform the character my way. There was no interference at all. I have an acting background and that experience was coming in handy while shooting the film. Climax scene was the first shot I shot. Then I did a scene which was just before the interval. There was linearity of expression, which I had to manage. My television experience came in handy while shooting the film. Due to the change in schedule, because of some actors falling sick, there were jump cuts, but I managed it well. My prep was intense. I was aware of the character’s emotional graph and I did make some notes. But the overall experience was good and the audience did connect with my character.
The theme of equality in responsibility is to be taken seriously. In our society, a son is projected as a caretaker of the family. But it is high time that the same respect should be given to girls too otherwise the society won’t get over the syndrome, ‘We want a son’. Also parents having a girl as a first child should think that she’ll look after them in their advanced age. But in our society some parents still observe, ‘Beti ke ghar ka pani bhi nahi pina chahiye’. The mentality of the society should change, then only equality in responsibility will have some meaning. I myself am a family person. I too like to help my parents financially though I am married. So I could relate to the character I was portraying on screen.
The film also showcases the modern youth’s mentality. Today’s generation wants everything quick. They don’t want to slog or do hard work. Taking shortcuts, they feel they are smart. There are more chances of getting duped or getting a serious setback while taking shortcuts. Our film Titu Ambani caters to every age group.
You have done Television and films. What about Web Series?
Every actor likes to be appreciated, to be popular. I am human and actor too. But I haven’t been approached for web series. I am a good actor but still web shows are not coming to me. I don’t know why? I get offers for tv shows but they require much of your time. 12-13 hours of shoot time plus 3-4 hours of commuting time. You do not have time for yourself. Now after having a boy I am reluctant to take up a daily soap. I do not want to neglect my family. But I have shown interest in web series but nothing is coming my way, so far. Maybe something bigger and better is waiting for me.
You have done multiple characters. How are you as a person?
I think I have all the qualities. I am a normal woman. I have my mood swings. Sometimes I am angry, sometimes extremely cool. Sometimes I am totally family oriented, sometimes I am a modern girl wanting to party. I am an actor and I can deliver any shade. I am not rigid about what kind of roles I’ll be playing. Creativity is my child. I respect my work. You can check my social media accounts. You’ll find me in every avatar.
Talking of social media, how do you look at it, especially trolls?
I am a Delhi girl and have been raised in a joint family. I treat trollers as my family member. Just like in a family, you can not keep everyone happy, so they are like those disgruntled family members. If they persist, I politely tell them to block me so that they do not have to tolerate me. One should be clear in life. There are vibes, positive or negative, so one cannot please each and everyone. So you can restrict them, block them, mute them.
But there is a good side of social media too. I have gained much popularity through that medium. I am a dancer, actor. So I can use these platforms to express myself. I sometimes even post my cooking skills. Not working on screen doesn’t mean I am not rich. It doesn’t mean that I am not earning. I have the power and popularity which allows me to make money through social media. I work as a freelancer and make reels and post and make money (smiles).
Classical art, music, dance has power which helps me survive. I devote time for my dance which helps me get over stress. I love to listen to Jagjit Singh’s song ‘Pyar Ka pehla khat likhane mein waqt lagta hai’ whenever I am low. But not ‘Pyar’ but ‘intazar’ motivates me in my career. Work doesn’t start when you go on sets, but it actually starts with experiences while getting it. An actor has to go through a lot. Even if he or she is going through stress, he or she has to smile on the red carpet. It teaches you a lot to become a good person. Classical dance has taught me patience. Moreover after becoming a mother I have become a lot more patient.
