Some roles leave an everlasting impression on the audience—but what happens when those roles leave a deep scar on the actor themselves?
Actress Deepshikha Nagpal, known for powerful negative roles in films like Baadshah and Koyla, has shared how portraying such characters deeply affected her personal life and mental health.
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Typecast by the Industry and Judged by Society
Deepshikha began her career in Bollywood in 1994 with the film Gangster and quickly became a recognizable face through her performances in Karan Arjun, Baadshah, Koyla, and Rishtey.
Despite her talent, after the release of Baadshah, she was repeatedly offered negative roles. She revealed,
> “I didn’t want to keep doing these roles. People began to judge me by the characters I played.”
Society, and even her own relatives, started seeing her through a negative lens. Some even called her a “side actress” or accused her of playing “bad characters.”
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Emotional Toll and Family Backlash
One of her most painful experiences came after losing her parents. Without any emotional support, she fell into a dark phase of loneliness and self-doubt.
> “I was told—‘You removed your clothes in that film, your children won’t respect you.’ It shattered me.”
Her daughter even broke the CD of Koyla, not wanting to associate with that image. This led Deepshikha to stop telling people what she did for a living, feeling ashamed and unworthy.
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Misunderstood Characters
Interestingly, Deepshikha pointed out that her character “Bindiya” in Koyla wasn’t truly negative.
> “She loved Shah Rukh Khan and saved Madhuri’s character, but because she was linked with the villain, people labeled her evil.”
Similar misunderstanding surrounded her role in Baadshah, simply because she was associated with the film’s antagonist.
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From Breakdown to Breakthrough
Feeling like a failure in every role—an actress, a wife, and a mother—she broke down emotionally. But it was acting that ultimately helped her heal.
> “Acting saved me. It helped me come out of the storm.”
Today, she stands strong, having starred in TV classics like Son Pari, Madhubala, and Balveer, earning admiration across generations.
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Final Thoughts
Deepshikha’s story sheds light on the hidden struggles many actors face behind the glam. It’s a reminder that art and artist are not the same. Negative roles may be powerful on screen—but they can leave invisible scars in real life.
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