Dipika Chikhlia, best known for playing Goddess Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television series Ramayan, keeps fans updated with her personal and professional life. Her portrayal became so popular that audiences began associating her with the mythological character even outside the show. Here are six lesser-known facts about her life and career:
The popular actress began her journey in the entertainment industry with the 1983 Hindi film Sun Meri Laila, directed by Raj Khosla. She was just 18 years old at the time. Before becoming famous as Sita, she also appeared in films such as Cheekh (1986) and Raat Ke Andhere Mein (1987).
Not many people know that Dipika also explored regional cinema. She made her Malayalam film debut with Ithile Iniyum Varu (1986), which featured Mammootty. She subsequently worked in Kannada, Telugu and Bengali films. Her Bengali film Asha O Bhalobasha (1989), opposite Prosenjit Chatterjee, was also a success.
Dipika once revealed that Hema Malini had contacted the makers of Ramayan and suggested that her character should not wear lipstick to maintain authenticity. Dipika also avoided nail polish and even kept her nails short while portraying Sita.
Dipika’s career took an unexpected turn when she entered politics. In 1991, she contested the Lok Sabha elections as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate and won from the Baroda constituency in Gujarat. She served as an MP until 1996.
Although Dipika had successfully entered politics, she decided not to pursue another term. In interviews, she explained that she wanted to devote more time to her family and daughters. She also spoke about how she preferred giving her full attention to whichever responsibility she took up rather than managing politics and motherhood simultaneously.
