For nearly four decades, the image of Sita from the series 'Ramayana' has been a central part of Deepika Chadhaw's identity. She gained widespread recognition and respect for her role in 'Ramayana,' portrayed by Raman Saagar in 1987–1988.
Although the popularity of this single role defined the trajectory of her career, Deepika Chadhaw is not trying to avoid the Sita image now, but she wishes people to know her by more than just that name. Her focus is now on stronger and more expressive roles that will allow her as an actress to achieve something new and find creative satisfaction.
In an interview with Time magazine, Deepika notes that many fall into the trap of a single image due to popularity, and there is no fault in anyone; it just takes time for people to gradually accept changes.
'Ramayana' was a turning point in her career, but before that, she tried her hand at cinema. However, after her first film role, she realized that the industry with its glamour was not suitable for her. She recalls starting with films but realizing she was uncomfortable when people whistled at her, demanding glamorous looks in bikinis, which she found uninteresting.
She shares that she always prayed for work that would bring her respect, and events unfolded naturally, leading to the creation of 'Ramayana.' Deepika suggests that if she hadn't played Sita, she might have become another actress of the late 80s or early 90s, and her career would have been completely different.
Despite valuing the fame that Sita brought her, she wants a broader spectrum of her acting talent to be showcased alongside this image. She firmly states that she does not plan to retire. Her goal is to keep working until she gets a significant role, insisting: 'I need strong and expressive roles. I am a good actress, just give me a chance.'
In her opinion, in the current era, actresses aged 50 to 70 have far more opportunities than before, and limiting them only to roles as mothers or grandmothers is wrong. She emphasizes that women aged 50–70 can do much more than just play the roles of a mother or grandmother.
Deepika also strives to keep up with changing times, adapting to modernity. She hopes that filmmakers will start looking at her differently, as unfortunately, she rarely gets offers that satisfy her as an artist. She expresses hope that the industry will begin to experiment with her.
Currently, Deepika Chadhaw prefers to focus on cinema and streaming services (OTT) because television work requires too much time. Although she has been offered good projects on TV, working 22 days a month for 14 hours daily does not suit her. She has never worked for money. Her main concern is that her career might remain exclusively the 'Sita' image, and she does not want to feel at the end of her life that her entire life was reduced to one role, asserting that she is much more than that.