Deepika made her debut in the widely loved Star Plus series Diya Aur Baati Hum playing the role of Sandhya. But before her television debut she had already worked for a Punjabi song album.
Her TV show was on air for 5 years and is one of the best longest running shows. Deepika played the role of a girl who dreams of becoming an IPS officer who then gets help from her husband and mother in law.
After wooing everyone with her spectacular performance of a strong independent Indian woman, Deepika embraced motherhood in 2017. Coming to 2018, she is back in shape and all set to hit our screens in the new year.
To unveil Deepika’s wonderful journey as an actor and mother, and her amazing transformation, Women Fitness India joined her over a quick chat below!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You made your television debut with the hit serial Diya Aur Baati Hum as Sandhya Rathi which started in 2011 on Star Plus which is considered to be one of the best longest running shows. What lead you to becoming an actress?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
My strong urge to play & perform on different characters, my urge to see myself in different shades with a strong confidence on myself, motivated me to become an actress.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have had an incredible transformation post pregnancy, share 3 things that are instrumental in getting back into shape post pregnancy?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
Things which are instrumental were:
- A. I got a lucrative offer to be the anchor for one famous show, last year in September 2017 which I refused to play because I wanted to focus on my health. I didn’t want to refuse other offers, following the same excuse so I started focused on my diet as I was already working out since July but not seeing the results that I was expecting. I immediately consulted my nutritionist Kinita Kadakia.
- B. Being active on Social media helped me a lot. As I used to update my pictures and some people used to bully me for my postpartum weight. I took it positively.
- C. Breastfeeding & natural birth to my child helped a lot. Bcz of Natural birth I took traditional postpartum massages also started doing yoga after one month of my delivery. Breasfeeding use to kept me guilt free when I was out from home for working out or for some work assignments. Breastfeeding pump made my life lot more easier. I breastfed my child for 15 months. So yes it helped a lot.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness Org
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
In an interview you said that, “Breastfeeding is extremely important for your child, your health, and your body. It is natural and the best thing for weight loss.” How do you feel it has helped you? And also what makes it so important?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
As I already said, elaborating on that:
A. How it helped me? It helped me on an emotional level. I used to feel connected with my child all the time when I was away from home as well. It’s an awesome experience for mothers. Also it helps your uterus to comeback on its previous shape.
B. How it’s important for the child? It’s termed as White Gold in the west for a child. No formula milk or animal milk can match what our cells and body produce for our baby. Cow or other species’ milk is for their babies not for human baby. It’s like white blood that we give to our child for its better immunity & emotional health. Yes exceptions are always there, some mothers are not capable of doing that then it’s ok to give formula. That’s why it’s very important to consult a Lactation expert after 7 months of pregnancy or right after delivery. In my case it helped a lot. Breastfeeding is a gift of confidence which comes as you nurture your baby with your own body and mind.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about your post pregnancy diet that complimented your workout routine? Also, share your 5 favourite Indian dishes.
Ms. Deepika Singh:
I consulted Kinita Kadakia for my nutrition and she always landed me an apt advice which supports my dance workout. I always feel energetic during my dance training as well as after my workout. Whole day I feel energetic and happy. She gives you a lifestyle not only a diet. A big thank you to her.
Diet is very simple and cheap 
- Breakfast- Tea & poha or bajra roti in winters & jowar roti in summers or some fruits with oats.
- Lunch- Dal, veggies & 1 jowar roti
- Evening snack- khakhra & tea
- Dinner- Moong dal chillas or paneer with veggies.
Favourite Indian dish
- Moong dal chillas
- Poha
- Dal rice
- Masala dosa
- Kheer puri
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have been a very passionate Odissi Dancer. When did you take this up? And how has it helped you stay fit for all these years?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
Odissi dance – It was my childhood dream to learn Indian classical dance form. So when I got the confidence on my acting skills, which my audience gave me, by accepting me in an I.P.S officer role in 2014 with incredible TRP’s so I thought to explore more by fulfilling my childhood passion too. So I started taking a class since February 2014. It helped me a lot not only on a physical level but also on an emotional level. As I cannot motivate myself for any workout without attaching emotions to it. I find it so boring and very hard to motivate myself for other workouts. But in dance you give emotions to your thoughts, get chance to express them by involving physical body and as it’s a classical form, you tend to perform by telling the inspiring stories of our dieties with complex Odissi tales which is very good for challenging your mind power. So I found it very challenging every day when I perform, so I love to learn it every day. As challenges give me wings to find out new me. I’m away from screen from past two years but I’m not away from acting or Abhinay a single day as Odissi is in my mind almost every day, every time. So I never felt that I’m away from my work, it’s my fans who are counting days & telling me on social networks.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
2018 nearing to an end what are you looking forward to in the new year 2019?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
Best emotional & physical health of my loved ones. Also looking forward for a good project so that I can interact with my audience through my talent.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
3 destinations that you would love to visit in 2019?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
- Maldives
- London
- New Zealand
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
The #MeToo movement has struck us all at a global level and now more and more women are coming out to voice their stories in our country too. What is your take on this?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
It’s really sad that this much bad has happened by listening to the stories through the #metoo movement. Because of this, bad attitude towards women by the opposite sex, some women choose to change their profession or choose to work from home. Which is really sad as we women & our parents have done a lot of sacrifices so that we can reach at some point in our careers. But because of this bad attitude towards women, a lot of parents pray that they should not be blessed with a girl child or if they have a girl child then their ultimate focus is the marriage of the girl child. They suppress her if she’s ambitious because they don’t want to welcome troubles.
As these things happen more often in other industries, the result is we stop aspiring Priyanka Chopra, Indra Nooyi, Pratibha Patil & several others aspiring ambitious girls. So it’s our responsibility collectively to immediately raise our voice when we see something like this bad happening with our fellow members or at least ask for an apology from the person who’s bad behaviour is making other women uncomfortable. The problem is people don’t want to apologise even they have committed a mistake. And yes I do understand that there is a positive side of our industry too. As irrespective of culture, religion, customs, sex, age or background our industry gives us a platform to showcase ourselves globally. It involves a lot of talent and hard work of our seniors and fellow members to make our industry this big.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You won the Favourite Bahu award 3 years in a row along with many other awards for your spectacular performance as Sandhya Rathi. On a personal level, how much did you connect with your character?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
I feel immense gratitude towards my audience and towards the makers who made such a spectacular show. Lot of women feel connected to Sandhya as she was able to full-fill her dream after getting married in a conservative traditional Rajasthani family. Like others she motivated me as well, that I can also get success in my professional life by taking care of my personal responsibilities.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Now that you are gearing back to hit the screens, what kind of roles are you looking at?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
More realistic & relatable roles to Indian Women yet Inspiring.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
With a massive following of about 660K followers on your Instagram account @deepikasingh150, what according to you are the best and worst things about this social media platform?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
Best- A good way to get response from your audience. My fans feel happy when I post something or do a live video. It’s incredible that internet has finished the gap between the celebrities and their fans. It played a significant role in bringing me back in shape as I regularly posted my recent pictures so some bullies use to bully me for my postpartum weight gain. I took it in a positive way & now they have nothing to say. Also I love when I’m able to pen down my emotions and share it to my followers. Writing is a great stress buster.
Bad – It sometimes brings anxiety as it’s becomes an unconditional responsibility to update atleast once in two days & deciding what picture to update with what quote sometimes takes lot of time. Also editing my videos which I do myself, requires lot of time.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Lastly, one fitness/health tip for our viewers at Women Fitness India?
Ms. Deepika Singh:
Invisible has a greater impact than visible. By invisible I mean emotional health & visible is physical health. So always watch your thoughts, convey it through writing or if possible communicate. Show your energy in your workout. Never suppress yourself. Always remember we have this only one life so honour yourself by devoting at least 20 minutes a day. The best & easiest is morning walks try to incorporate that in your life style.
Follow Deepika’s journey on:
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness Org