Dharmendra’s Miss India Daughter-in-Law: The Actress Whose TV Ad Sparked Controversy — Married His Nephew in a ₹1,100 Ceremony

The nation is praying for veteran Bollywood icon Dharmendra, who was hospitalized on November 10 and discharged two days later. While his family — including sons, daughters, and both wives — remains by his side, an interesting story about another member of the Deol family has resurfaced: Dharmendra’s lesser-known daughter-in-law, Deepti Bhatnagar, once a famous actress and former Miss India.

A Star Turned Deol Family Member

Deepti Bhatnagar, who gained fame in the 1990s, is married to Randeep Arya, son of Virendra Singh, a Punjabi film superstar, filmmaker, and Dharmendra’s cousin. This makes Deepti both Virendra’s and Dharmendra’s daughter-in-law. Tragically, Virendra was shot dead in 1988 at the peak of his career.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Deepti once revealed that her marriage to Randeep Arya was a simple, traditional ceremony held at her home in Meerut, costing just ₹1,100.

Miss India at 18 and the Controversial Ad

Born in Meerut, Deepti began her career as a model and shot to fame at just 18 after winning the Miss India title. However, before that, she made headlines for a steamy TV commercial that sparked massive controversy — the ad was later banned from television and removed from YouTube.

Apart from modeling, Deepti was a state-level hockey and badminton player, showcasing her versatility beyond the glamour world.

From ‘Yatra’ to Global Travel Shows

Deepti soon transitioned to television and became a household name through the spiritual travel series “Yatra”, which aired internationally and gained huge popularity. She later hosted and produced a travel show that took her to over 90 countries.

With her husband, she co-founded a production house and produced several successful TV shows and films.

Connection to the Deol Family

Randeep and his brother Raman are Dharmendra’s nephews, making Deepti Sunny Deol’s sister-in-law. She has also been spotted at family events, including Karan Deol’s wedding.

Transition from Actress to Producer

Deepti entered Bollywood in 1995 and appeared in films such as Humse Badhkar Kaun, Hum Tumpe Marte Hain, Ganga Ki Kasam, Kalia, and Aamir Khan’s Mann. She also worked in Telugu cinema before stepping behind the camera.

In a 2013 interview with ETimes, Deepti explained why she quit acting:

“I couldn’t sit idle on set waiting for a shot. Acting requires patience and maturity — I had matured beyond that. I wanted to use my brain, not just my face, in the entertainment world.”

Where Is She Now?

Today, Deepti Bhatnagar continues to work as a producer and entrepreneur, running her production company with her husband. Though she stays away from the limelight, her journey — from Miss India and actress to Dharmendra’s daughter-in-law and successful producer — remains as fascinating as any Bollywood story.