Watching her daughter, Vidhika, prepare to share the stage with Anup Jalota is a special, full-circle moment for Dipshikkha Nagppal. The Bhajan Samrat first worked with Dipshikkha’s mother, Shraddha Panchotia, in a Gujarati film, and later shared screen space with Dipshikkha herself. Now, he is set to work with the third generation of her family. Vidhika will play Tana, one of the twin sisters Tana and Riri, in the upcoming play Tansen, which features Jalota in the titular role.

Recalling how Jalota became a part of her family’s life, Dipshikkha says, “I have known Anup ji since I was a school kid. He acted with my mother, Shraddha Panchotia, in the Gujarati film Vali Bharvadan (1986), directed by my father, Ashvini Kumar. He would always tell my mom to let him adopt me because I was very interested in singing. He treats me like his daughter.”

Years later, Dipshikkha worked with Jalota in Token (2022), in which she played his wife. She is now delighted that her daughter will begin her acting journey alongside someone who has been part of their lives for decades.

She adds, “What more could I have wished for my daughter? She is making her debut with Anup ji, who is like a nanu to her, in a play by Paritosh Painter, whom I have also known for years. It feels like working with family in a happy and secure environment, where she will learn a great deal from renowned people in their respective fields.”

She adds, “Vidhika will play Tana, one half of the Tana-Riri twins, who hail from Vadnagar, Gujarat, which is also my mother’s hometown. We still have a haveli there, making this connection particularly special for me.”

Dipshikkha believes theatre will give Vidhika a valuable opportunity to hone her craft and understand the discipline required for live performances. “Theatre is no-nonsense and all about the work. This is a good break for Vidhika because theatre gives you the opportunity to polish your craft and learn. The longing to learn and perform before a live audience is something only a theatre artiste would know. Every day is a new show, without cuts or retakes. Initially, Vidhika was hesitant about getting into acting, but for the past two years, she has been working hard on herself. She has learnt acting and dancing and has also trained in Kathak. Ek maa ke liye isse badi baat kya ho sakti hai ki aapka bachha mehnat kar raha hai. My advice to her is to have the right attitude and dedication. You must love your work, always be willing to learn and keep polishing your craft. Dil se kaam karna, dimaag se nahi.”

Vidhika views the play as an opportunity to put her training into practice and learn from experienced artistes. She says, “I have been working on the different skills required for acting. I realized that I need to put theory into practice, and this opportunity is a blessing because it allows me to apply what I know. I haven’t had the opportunity to rehearse with Anup ji yet, but I am genuinely looking forward to it. I feel honoured to share the stage with someone who has worked with my nani and my mum.”

As she prepares for her stage debut, Vidhika acknowledges the mix of emotions that comes with performing live, along with the expectations that may accompany being an actress’s daughter. She says, “It’s a mix of emotions, including nervousness, excitement and anxiety. The audience’s reaction is not in my control, but my actions and preparation are. I am trying to focus only on those at the moment.”

When Dipshikkha Nagppal’s 23-year-old daughter, Vidhika, expressed her desire to step into the world of showbiz, the actress supported her wholeheartedly — though she admits she initially had reservations.

She shares, “Everyone is aware of the highs and lows that come with showbiz. I wanted my daughter to understand the emotional roller coaster this career entails before fully committing to it.”

Speaking about Vidhika’s evolving career aspirations, Dipshikkha says, “She has explored different paths over the years. At one point, she wanted to be a psychiatrist, then a journalist. About four years ago, when she expressed interest in showbiz, I encouraged her to take a crash course in filmmaking and acting at NYU (New York University). I felt exposure to a new environment would help her grow in confidence. When she returned, she worked as an assistant director on a film before transitioning into modelling.”

She adds, “I once dreamed of joining a beauty pageant myself but lacked the support. So, I made sure to let her explore her ambitions freely. Yes, we’ve had our arguments about her career choices, but I didn’t want to impose my dreams on her.”

Having experienced the vagaries of showbiz herself, Dipshikkha is candid about its challenges. She shares, “There are moments when she feels disheartened during slow phases, but I remind her that patience is crucial in this field. Success might happen overnight, or it could take years. Either way, it’s all about trusting the process, because life often has its own plans,” she says.

Vidhika, who has appeared in over 10 commercials and continues to audition for roles, is clear about her goals. She shares, “Although I am open to acting, my ultimate dream is to sign with an international modelling agency. It’s a big leap that requires a stronger portfolio. So, for now, I’m focused on building my profile further.”

Despite her mother’s connections in the industry, she is determined to carve her own path. She explains, “I love being known as my mom’s daughter, but she built her career on her own terms, and I want to do the same. I’ve inherited her fierce determination — no matter how unwell she is, she always shows up and gives her best. That work ethic inspires me.”

She adds, “Raising two kids as a single mother while building a career wasn’t easy for her, and as I grow older, I understand the depth of her sacrifices. That realisation drives me to pursue my dreams with everything I have. I want my hard work, not my surname to define me.”