Happy Birthday Dipika Chikhila: Lesser known facts about Ramayan's Sita

Born on April 29, 1965, Dipika Chikhlia has been living in Mumbai, since childhood. She grew up in Girnar Apartments, in the affluent Pali Hill area of Bandra, a suburb of Mumbai.

Dipika Chikhlia was a young girl whilst playing the character of Mata Sita. She had confessed that it was quite a challenge to be clad in saree all the time, as she was not used to it. She had to be in saree on and off-screen to maintain the piousness of the character but later got comfortable with.

Dipika started her career in the Hindi film industry with 1983 film Sun Meri Laila. Dipika starred opposite Raj Kiran in the film, which turned out to be a successful at the box-office.

Dipika Chikhlia also played lead actress' role in B-grade horror films - Cheekh (1986) and Raat Ke Andhere Mein (1987).

Dipika is married to Hemant Topiwala, owner of Shingar Bindi and Tips and Toes cosmetics.They have two daughters, Nidhi Topiwala and Juhi Topiwala.

Dipika Chikhlia's wedding reception was attended by her Khudai co-star Rajesh Khanna. The superstar was quite close to Dipika.

Dipika even made her debut in the Malayalam film industry with the film Ithile Iniyum Varu (1986), which had Mammootty in the lead. She made her Kannada film debut in 1989 with Indrajith, and Telugu film debut with Yamapasam. Her Bengali film Asha O Bhalobasha (1989), opposite Prosenjit Chatterjee, was a blockbuster.

Dipika Chikhlia later stepped into politics. She was Member of Parliament in the Indian Lok Sabha from Baroda constituency (1991-1996) as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.