Who is Deepti Bhatnagar? Dharmendra’s 'Bahu' Who Stirred Controversy with a Condom Ad
The story of Deepti Bhatnagar, Dharmendra’s 'bahu' who made headlines with a controversial condom ad and once ruled Bollywood. Learn more here!

The 90s was a golden era for Bollywood, with stunning actresses like Madhuri Dixit, Raveena Tandon, Juhi Chawla, and Karisma Kapoor dominating the industry. While these stars continue to be adored by fans, there was another equally beautiful actress who didn’t get the recognition she deserved: Deepti Bhatnagar.
Deepti Bhatnagar’s career began in the early 90s when she made her film debut in Ram Shastra under director Sanjay Gupta. She worked in several films across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada cinema, but her career didn’t take off as expected. Despite a few struggles, fate had bigger plans for her. She caught a break when she was cast in Mann, starring Aamir Khan. The film became a box office hit, earning Rs 35.45 crore, which helped her career gain momentum.
Rise to Fame with Popular TV Shows
In March 2001, Deepti featured in a dance number in Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, a film that went on to gross Rs 149 crore worldwide. However, it was in the early 2000s that Deepti became a household name after hosting the popular TV show Yatra. Her elegant sarees and stunning jewelry became hugely popular among viewers. Deepti’s charm and grace also earned her the role of host on Musafir Hoon Yaron on Star Plus, where she met her future husband, director Randeep Arya. The couple married and now has two sons.
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Before making a name in films, Deepti Bhatnagar had already built a successful career as a model. In 1990, at the age of 18, she was crowned Miss India. This achievement led her to Mumbai, where she pursued her dream of acting. In just 11 months, she had already bought her own home, a remarkable feat at such a young age.
Controversy and Personal Life
One of the most talked-about moments in Deepti's career came when she agreed to appear in a condom advertisement. The ad caused quite a stir and became one of the most controversial advertisements at the time. However, Deepti never publicly addressed the issue, and the ad was eventually turned down due to its explicit content.
Deepti later married Randeep Arya, the son of Punjabi legends Veerendra and Pammi Varinder. This made her part of the Deol family, as Randeep is the nephew of Dharmendra, and cousin to stars like Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Abhay Deol, and Esha Deol.