Nostalgia with Deepti Bhatnagar: “I bought my dream house in 11 months"

The actor talks about winning Miss India when she was 18, getting trained by Shah Rukh Khan and meeting her husband on set, when she was 22

Where were you career-wise?

I won Miss India at 18, and got a modelling contract with Singapore’s Madame Z. I continued modelling in Mumbai.

Deepti posing while on a trip to South Africa

Was acting in films an option?

No! When I did, for an advertisement with Sunny (Deol) bhaiyya, I was asked to meet Dharmendra uncle. But, I was too scared. Who knew I would end up getting married into that family! Shah Rukh Khan trained me for a week for Anna’s role in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, but I ran away from the screen test. Then, I did the TV show Yatra.

With her childhood friend, Bhawna Sirohi, now a cancer specialist

What was your goal?

Deepti playing golf, something she grew up with in Meerut

Were you in love?

Yeah! Randeep and I did the Fair and Lovely commercial, in which he played my husband. We got engaged the same year. Then, I moved in with him. After eight years, I asked him, ‘Shaadi karoge ab?’

Deepti on her wedding day with Randeep at their Meerut house. They spent ₹1,100 on their wedding;

Which sport did you play?

My sister, Kanika, was an athlete who played for India. I played hockey and badminton at state level.

On a magazine cover with Ajay Devgn

Your bank balance?

When I came first to Mumbai at the age of 22, I opened my first bank account with State Bank of India, Juhu, and vowed that by the end of the month, I’d have a lakh in my account. Modelling was easy money, so I succeeded.

With husband Randeep in Florence, Italy

Who was a major influence in your life?

Photographer Jagdish Mali, who became my rakhi brother. He shot my portfolio simply because he thought I look photogenic. He convinced me to enter Movie magazine’s Discover A Star contest, and I was selected.

Representing India at the Miss International contest in Taiwan

Looking back, do you have any regrets?

Maybe if I had made acting in movies my goal, then I would have done more films. But, I feel I’ve done really well for myself. After Yatra, I did an international travel show, and toured 90 countries. There’s zero stress in my life because I continue to move away from situations that take away my happiness.

From HT Brunch, December 24, 2022

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