Deepti Naval, a celebrated actress known for her roles in iconic films, has recently spoken about her experiences with stereotypes and ageism in the Bollywood film industry. In an exclusive interview, she shared her insights on navigating a career where saying "no" became a necessary strategy for maintaining artistic integrity, even at a financial cost.

Naval explained that early in her career, after gaining recognition, she made a conscious decision to only pursue roles that resonated with her values and artistic vision. This led to a period where she rejected numerous offers, resulting in a six-month gap without any film projects. While this was a difficult choice, it reflected her commitment to meaningful cinema that would leave a lasting impression.

"You adapt to not participating in many projects; you become accustomed to declining numerous offers, saying, 'No, I don't want to take this on, I don't want to take that on'," Naval explained. She emphasized that for actors who prioritize quality work, financial sacrifices are often inevitable. "As an actor, you must frequently say no because, to select and engage in quality films, you often face financial deprivation. Forget about luxury; you learn to survive and make yourself as comfortable as possible while waiting," she added.

Naval also reflected on the limited opportunities available to actors in her category, who may not have the resources to create their own production houses and generate roles for themselves. She contrasted this with male stars who have increasingly taken control of their careers by establishing production companies to develop projects tailored to their strengths.

Naval has starred in several female-oriented films such as "Goldfish", "Panchmati", "Main Zinda Hoon", and "Ankahi". Naval cherishes her role in "Goldfish," a film centered around a mother and daughter, and considers it her favorite role to date.

Naval acknowledged that the film industry is currently being unfairly portrayed as "the worst place in the world". She stated that her personal experiences have been different, and she has encountered many wonderful people throughout her career. While recognizing the presence of negativity, she maintains that it exists in every profession and area of life.