Deepti Naval (Actress) Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Real Name: Dipti Naval

Profession: Actress, Director, Writer, Painter, Poet

Date of Birth: 3 February 1952 (Sunday)

Age (as of 2025): 73 Years

Zodiac sign/Sun sign: Aquarius

Nationality: Indian

Hometown: New York City, USA

Religion: Hinduism

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EDUCATION

School: Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Amritsar

College: Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York

Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with Major in Painting and Minor in English and Psychology

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): in centimeters – 157 cm in meters – 1.57 m in feet inches – 5’ 2”

Weight (approx.): in kilograms – 50 kg in pounds – 110 lbs

Eye Colour: Dark Brown

Hair Colour: Black

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Family: Father – Uday C Naval (Professor) Mother – Himadri Gangahar (Teacher, Painter) Brother – Rohit Naval (Younger – Technology Product Designer) Sister – Smiti Naval (Elder – Biochemist)

Marital Status: Divorcée

Affairs/Girlfriends: Pradeep Verma (Actor) Marc Zuber (Actor) Nana Patekar (Actor) Prakash Jha (Filmmaker) Vinod Pandit (Filmmaker)

Husband/Spouse: Prakash Jha (Filmmaker- m.1985–div.2002)

Children: Son – N/A Daughter – Disha Jha (Adopted – Producer, Assistant director)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Debut: Film: Ek Baar Phir (1980, Bollywood) Marhi Da Deeva (1989, Punjabi) Mane (1991, Kannada) Anahat (2004, Marathi) TV: Apna Jahan (1985) Directorial: Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish (2009)

OTHER INFORMATION

Birth Place: Amritsar, Punjab, India

Address: 603/Oceanic, 7 Bungalows, Versova Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai

Hobbies: Painting, reading, writing, travelling, trekking

Favourite Food: Moogachi Usal

Favourite Actors: Naseeruddin Shah , Aamir Khan

Favourite Actresses: Waheeda Rahman , Meena Kumari, Nutan

Favourite Films: Bollywood: Kahaani English: Amaya, Memories in March

Favourite Filmmakers: Sai Paranjape, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Girish Kasaravalli, Sudhir Mishra, Vishal Bhardwaj

Favourite Writers: Sahir Ludhianvi , Ghalib, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Amrita Pritam

Favourite Book: Parchhaiyan by Sahir Ludhianvi

Favourite Destinations: Kashmir, The Himalayas, Ladakh

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Deepti Naval, an illustrious figure in the Indian film industry, embodies a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, being half-Punjabi and half-Pahadi. Her father, a native of Amritsar, Punjab, and her mother from the scenic town of Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, cultivated within her a deep appreciation for art and creativity. After completing her schooling in India, Deepti, alongside her family, made the significant leap to the United States, where she pursued her graduation. Her academic journey encompassed studies in theatre, photography, and painting; intriguingly, acting—her greatest passion—was not part of her formal education.

Despite her father’s aspirations for her to become a painter, Deepti’s heart was drawn irresistibly towards the world of acting. This passion blossomed during her early career as a theatre actor, where her affinity for literature flourished. It was during a pivotal audition at Doordarshan for a play that she met the esteemed Farooq Shaikh, with whom she developed a rapport that extended beyond the stage. Their connection led to an opportunity for her to co-host a program, and shortly after, Farooq conveyed that NRI director Vinod Pande was looking for a fresh face. This serendipitous encounter paved the way for her breakout role in the 1980 film “Ek Baar Phir,” marking her as the first American-Indian actress to grace Hindi cinema.

Deepti’s early roles often portrayed the quintessential sweet girl-next-door, but her performance in Jagmohan Mundhra’s “Kamla” in 1984 marked a turning point in her career. The film allowed her to break free from the constraints of typecasting, earning her critical acclaim for her portrayal of complex and sensitive characters. This evolution in her artistry resonated with audiences, and she quickly became a celebrated on-screen pair with Farooq Shaikh throughout the 1980s, their chemistry captivating viewers both on and off-screen. The release of “Chashme Baddoor” in 1981 solidified her status as an overnight star, showcasing her versatility and depth as an actress.

Aside from her acting prowess, Deepti is a multifaceted creative spirit. In 1985, she married film director Prakash Jha, though their union lasted only two years; they later divorced amicably after 15 years. Deeply passionate about painting, she showcased her artwork in exhibitions like “Reflections” at the Jehangir Art Gallery and has since held numerous shows both in India and abroad. Her talents extend to photography, with notable series such as “In Search Of Another Sky” and “Road Builders,” which reflect her keen eye for beauty and storytelling. A travel enthusiast, Deepti produced the travel show “The Path Less Travelled” in 1995, which explored the majestic Himalayas, and she has engaged in philanthropic efforts to support mentally ill individuals and advocate for girls’ education.

Deepti Naval’s journey has not been without its share of personal challenges, including past engagements with Vinod Pandit, Nana Patekar, and Pradeep Verma, all of which did not culminate in marriage. Tragically, she lost Vinod to cancer, a blow that deepened her resolve to pursue her creative passions with fervor. Furthermore, she has actively championed environmental causes, spearheading initiatives to preserve greenery and mangroves in Mumbai. Her dedication to the arts and social causes has not gone unnoticed; in 2007, she was recognized as a “Tribute Honoree” at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. Her directorial debut, “Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish,” released in 2009, further solidified her reputation in the cinematic world, winning accolades at various international film festivals and showcasing her enduring legacy in the arts.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.