Name: Deepti Naval
Born: February 3, 1957
Marital Status: Naval was married to director Prakash Jha, and has an adopted daughter with Jha called Disha. Later, she was engaged to Vinod Pandit before his demise.
Biography: Naval’s name is associated with the Indian Independent or Parallel cinema. A torch bearer to the offbeat or art cinema, Naval has experimented with varied taxing roles. Along with acting, Naval has tried her hands at painting, writing and photography. She has released two successful collections of poems ‘Lamha Lamha’ in Hindi and Black Wind which was released in 2004 by Oxford Bookstore.
Naval born in Amritsar, Punjab went on to complete Bachelors in Fine Arts from Hunter College, Manhattan. She began her career as a supporting actress for Jalianwala Bagh (1977) and followed it in Shyam Benrgal’s Junoon (1978). The 1980 film, Ek Bar Phir saw her in the role of the central protagonist. Naval is critically acclaimed for her films like Chasme Buddor (1981), Katha (1983), Mirch Masala (1987), Rang Birangi (1983), Marhi Da Deva (Punjabi film) and several notable films.
An insightful actress she was frequently paired with Farroque Sheikh. Even though a fine actress, Naval did not receive the similar adulation like that of her contemporaries. Dissatisfied with the roles offered, she took a short break only to return with movies like Bawandar (2000), Leela (2002), Freaky Chakra (2003), Firaaq (2008), Memories in March (2011).
In 2007, Naval was bestowed with the Tribute Honoree in Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.
Naval also acted in the television show Mukti Bandhan on Colors, which ran in 2011. Her movie ‘Listen Amaya’ released in 2013 where she is seen pairing up opposite Farooque Sheikh after a long hiatus.
Naval has directed ‘Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish’ starring Manisha Koirala. The film was screened at Cannes Film Festival (2009) but has not been released publicly yet.
