Interview with actress Deepali-

 

Budding actress-dancer-performer, Deepali, took time off her busy schoot, during the  making of the Bhojpuri film – Raksha Bandha,  made under the banner of Laila productions, which was being shot at Raj Pipal to give us an insight into her gradually rising career, both as a leading actress of both the Bhojpuri films then and now also as a lead actress of the Hindi and Marathi films too. A trained Bharat Natyam dancer, this  talented dancing sensation, is an MA in fine arts from the prestigious Nalanda University. She also had a stint in learning western dance steps, a-la the bollywood way, under the watchful eyes of renowned Bollywood dance choreographer  – Vijay Oscar, for some time . After, getting accolades from dance enthusiasts across the globe in her many performances abroad,  Deepali is now making her presence felt as an actress of repute, both in the in Bhojpuri , Marathi genres of film-making, besides the much sought after  Hindi  films. What captured us more about this new entrant to Bollywood was her simplicity in real-life alike her reel-life performances, along with her more focused  seasoned and professional approach to her rising film career. Here’s a tete-a-tete with Deepali as she talks toVikram Singh Chadha

  

 

How and when, did you first  venture in films?

I had never given a serious thought to acting, though I made a foray into dance , quite early on in life,  at a very young age of three. Dance, has been and is my first love, so-to-say. As of acting, as a career choice, it happened only in 1999,  when after receiving many persisting offers for  both TV and films,  I eventually gave it a nod by accepting a few TV offers initially. Films, happened only with Udit Narayan’s Bhojpuri film, Kab Hoi Gawna Hamar  ,- a film shot extensively in Mauritius. I was cast opposite Ravi Kishen in the film. My very second Bhopuri film was Satla Ta Gaila, opposite singer-actor, Guddu Rangila. Tufail Ahmed’s- Raksha Bandhan,  happens incidently to be my  my third Bhojpuri film.

 

What were the various challenges before you during the making of your film– Raksha Bandhan?

My character is  of a strongly etched  character of the lead heroine in the film, who happens to be the dear daughter of the main villain of this film. Her character is made a scape goat of sorts, as she is shown been emotionally divided between a family feud involving her father and  her sister-in-law.  The tensions in the family, bring out  emotional outburst of sorts, in her often, requiring her to display her screen histrionics on given occasions to give justice to the role been potrayed.  I thoroughly enjoyed my onscreen struggles, which partly was lessened thanks to the beautiful and talented production team and also watchful eyes and guidance of the film director – Tufail Ahmed.

 

Besides Raksha Bandhan, which are your other Bhojpuri assigments ?

I am currently working on, for Tyagi Ji’s- next project – Ghar Aaja Pardesi, which is being made on the lines of Ghar Aaja Pardesi. My character, in the film, span’s the era from his youth till old age. Govind Khatri, plays, the negative character in the film. Other key projects in the pipleline are films under the baner of Prem Singh and Krishnabhishek.

 

What are your other ongoing projects in Hindi and Marathi, in the making?

Yes, quite so. Munnadhari Productions -  Pshadyantra, is being made in Hindi, with Sunny Deol, in special appearance. We just completed the first schedule for this film recently in London. My film, Akhir Kab Tak, a suspense thriller film under the direction of Ajit Varma, is just completed. A film, tentatively titled Kasak, on the relationship between the two nations – India and Pakistan, is in the making. Also, G – street, is under production. I have acted in numerous, TV serials, tele-films, and feature films, in Marathi.  Of late, I enjoyed my work, in Hirwa Chuda –a film, made on the back-drop’s of the infamous London Bomb Blasts, and made by Shashi Prabhu, also known as personal secretary of Hindi film actor & MP Govinda.

 

What kind of films you are eager to work in ?

As I have been trained as a dancer, from the age of 3, I always have a desire in working in films, specially made keeping dance as the main theme. Films, like – Umrao Jaan, Pakeezah or Mukadar Ka Sikandar, had Rekha ji, superbly bring to life, the characters of these women, with dance as the background. I would love to perform, characters based like characters of these films, with dance as the main backdrop. I am averse to the kind of characters being projected these day on screen, with emphasis more on there body than there acting skills being shown. Hence, I have been very choosy and cautious in selecting  the film offers coming my way.  

 

What are your other likings, besides acting and dance?

I enjoy giving a helping hand to my director, when on sets. Many a times, I even took up to writing the continuity sheets, when not acting on the sets. I have always also  loved the behing the scene jobs, in the entire process of  film making, specially direction. I do make it a point to keep a working hand knowledge of most of the departments of film-making. Even I love designing costumes, and try and design most of my on garments as well. I loving watching cricket, for which, I am ready to even skip a shoot, on a day, a game is being telecast on air.   



by : Adv. Vikram Swaran Singh Chadha