Dipi Rebecchi

Deepika "Dipi" Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Sharon Johal. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 24 April 2017. Johal originally auditioned for the role of Dipi's younger sister Mishti Sharma. Actress Scarlett Vas secured the role and producers changed Dipi to better suit Johal. Dipi is part of the extended Rebecchi family introduced into Neighbours, joining established regular character Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). She is married to Shane Rebecchi (Nicholas Coghlan) and they move to Erinsborough with their two daughters Yashvi (Olivia Junkeer) and Kirsha Rebecchi (Vani Dhir). She soon becomes the new owner of Harold's cafe.

Dipi Rebecchi
Neighbours character
Portrayed bySharon Johal
Duration2017–
First appearance24 April 2017
Introduced byJason Herbison
Spin-off
appearances		Neighbours: Erinsborough High (2019)
ClassificationCurrent; regular
Profile
OccupationCafé owner and waitress
Home30 Ramsay Street

Dipi is characterised as very social and extroverted. She has a passion for musical theatre which is often explored in her stories. She is portrayed as a proud mother and wife, but her overbearing ways uncover anger issues as she gets into violent altercations with three characters. She also establishes herself as a local gossip alongside Sheila Canning (Colette Mann). Dipi is older than Johal so the show's styling team have to make her appear an older mother by dressing her in baggy caftans and altering Johal's glamorous hair style. Her stories have included an assault on Jake Hendra (Guy Greenstone), a near death experience, her turbulent marriage to Shane and constant interference in Mishti's life. Critics of the genre have praised Neighbours for adding multicultural diversity in hiring Johal, an Indian Australian actress.

Casting

The character and casting details were announced on 27 March.[1] Johal originally auditioned for the role of Dipi's sister Mishti Sharma, but the character's age was lowered and Scarlet Vas was cast instead. The producers of Neighbours liked Johal, so they decided to change Dipi to make her work better for the actress.[2]

When Johal auditioned for the role she had long been trying to gain an ongoing role. She was working as a lawyer and in 2016 contemplated giving acting up to concentrate on her second career option.[3] Producers called the actress back for the audition process for Dipi. The actress recalled there being almost 50 actors present wanting to play Shane.[3] She auditioned with actors either shorter or older than herself which left her feeling that none would be a good match and lessened her chance of being cast together. Johal had not read for the part with Nicholas Coghlan at the first audition but casting directors would later put them together.[3] Johal stated that the casting team had a clear vision for Dipi and Shane and thought they would work well together. When her agent informed Johal she had won the role she was at work in the law office. She was left speechless and felt a "massive sense of relief".[3]

Development

Arrival

Dipi is part of the extended Rebecchi family who arrive in Erinsborough to live on Ramsay Street. Dipi is the wife of Shane Rebecchi (Nicholas Coghlan), the older brother of established regular Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney), who returns to Erinsborough with his family after 22 years.[1] Dipi and Shane move to the street with their two daughters Yashvi (Olivia Junkeer) and Kirsha Rebecchi (Vani Dhir).[1] They also have one son, Jay, who does not move to Erinsborough with them.[4] Dipi made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 24 April 2017.[5] Johal found it easy to work with her new on-screen family. She told Anna Vlach from news.com.au that "it's just like a family and I really connected with them straight away."[6]

Dipi's sister Mishti also joins them and is shown to have mysterious secret she is keeping from the family.[3] Johal told the show's publicity team that "there is something shady happening. They are not forthright with Dipi, which is hurtful for Dipi." Viewers assumed an intimate affair had taken but the actress said that "it might not be what you think. Always expect the unexpected."[3]

Characterisation

Personality
"The thing I love about her is she's a great role model for women. She's unapologetic in the way she feels and what she believes in. Everything she does, she owns."[7]

—Johal discussing Dipi being a role model. (2019)

The characters official biography on Tenplay describes her as "a ray of sunshine to those around her".[8] She is very social and is "highly extroverted". She is determined to see the good in people and is family oriented. She is a proud mother of three children and wife to Shane.[8] Dipi is also "enthusiastic and bubbly, with an infectious lust for life". She counts Indian astrology, Ayurveda medicine and cooking as her main hobbies.[8]

The character is delighted to reside in Erinsborough after moving from Colac, Victoria. She also relishes the challenge to manage her own café.[8] Shane and Dipi met during a theatre production of Grease. Shane was the stage manager and built the sets. The couple make references to it on-screen.[9] Dipi is good friends with Shane's mother Angie Rebecchi (Lesley Baker). A writer from Tenplay noted that "Dipi must be really something" because Angie does not usually get along with her son's partners.[4]

Johal felt she was not similar to Dipi because she had no experience as a mother and wife. The much younger Johal found it quite "a transition" coming in and playing a mother whose entire life revolves around her family.[3] Johal did initially feel that most of her character's stories were just reacting to her family's dramas. She told the show's publicity team that "my role is just to keep my family together and just protect them at any cost."[3] However, the actress wanted the character to have "a lot of layers in terms of her dreams and her career ambitions." She added that the Neighbours writers were supportive of her wishes and developed her passion for theatre.[3] When asked about Dipi's persona Johal stated "Dipi is kind of loud, vibrant, she has got a lot of personality and she is obsessed with broadway."[3] Each member of the Rebecci family has a nickname of a fish. She concluded that the previously mentioned character traits meant that "starfish" would be a good nickname for Dipi, especially because "she likes to see herself as a bit of a star."[3]

Dipi's main hobby is soon established as her passion for musical theatre. Johal said that viewers had "probably noticed that Dipi is obsessed with musicals and we have a lot of different references all throughout the show."[10] Prior to moving to Erinsborough, Dipi put on a stage show starring her entire family. At the time Johal said that writers would create a similar story for Dipi again.[10]

Dipi establishes herself as a local gossip when she befriends Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) and Sheila Canning (Colette Mann).[10] Johal said that her character is "pretty nosey" and that working at Harold's cafe sources the gossip. She defended her character because she believed Dipi only gossips when she is acting "in the best interests of the person".[10] Johal described the remainder of the gossip gang as the "wise wonderful woman" Susan and "the gossip queen" Sheila - adding that the latter is the worst culprit.[10]

Style

Many departments on the show have worked together to create Dipi's style and appearance. The production team wanted the character to look older than Johal is. When the actress arrived on-set she was informed that a hair cut was needed to better suit the character. The actress had waist length hair and they asked her permission to cut it to shoulder length.[3] They felt that the new style would make Dipi look less glamorous and more like a mother. They also wanted to differentiate her look to her younger sister Mishti, who had longer hair. She also has to have her hair blow dried each day to create the Dipi look.[3] Johal believed that this has damaged the condition of her hair. Similar make up is applied daily to provide the show with continuity and Dipi wears dark shades of lipstick.[3]

Fashion wise Dipi wears a lot of caftan dresses and baggy clothes. Johal said that Dipi's wardrobe features many "earth mother clothes" that she thought were "a bit frumpy" for her physique.[3] She describes herself as curvy and likes to wear tight dresses to show her figure, but noted that is not allowed as it clashes with Dipi's style.[3]

Marriage to Shane

When the actress first began filming she needed to demonstrate that Dipi and Shane had "big long strong history" together.[3] She was nervous because she did not know Coghlan too well.[3] Johal was particularly nervous when she and Coghlan filmed Dipi and Shane's first kissing scene in Harold's cafe. It was awkward when they looked into each others eyes and kissed. She pointed out that watching the scene back you can see Dipi's lips sweating.[3] Another was an intimate pool scene the couple share during an evening alone together. Johal said that she took the "Fake it till you make it" approach to their relationship and was eventually confident in portraying their relationship.[3]

Johal believed that her character was totally committed to Shane and would never have an affair. She told the Neighbours publicity team that Dipi "only got eyes for him".[3] She could not fathom anyone tempting Dipi away from "the beautiful man that is Shane". She explained that Dipi views him as her "husband that wears his flannelette shirts, who makes all these genius inventions that do not work out, but is such a good bloke." She added that she hoped the show's writers never split them up over infidelity.[3]

Mishti rejoins the police force but falls out with Dipi over Shane. When Shane gets drunk he takes his anger out on Gary Canning (Damien Richardson).[11] They argue on Ramsay Street and Shane gets violent and throws his neighbour's rubbish bins around. Mishti is forced to arrest Shane to prevent any further escalation.[11] Vas told an Inside Soap reporter that "Dipi is left fuming - she feels that Mishti should have gone easy on Shane." But Vas felt that her character was just and it was a moment she needed to put being an officer over being a good sister.[11]

Dipi later causes more problems in her marriage when her aggressive side gets out of control. Dipi and Shane go to Yashvi's football match which is being watched by a talent scout.[12] Shane wants Dipi to remain calm and not make their daughter nervous during the game. Dipi ignores Shane's wishes and embarrasses Yashvi. When Dipi witnesses fellow spectator Jake Hendra (Guy Greenstone) mocking Yashvi's performance she reacts violently and punches him in the face. This causes Yashvi to lose the match and Dipi's family turn against her.[12]

Dipi accuses Shane of having an affair with Chloe Brennan, played by April Rose Pengilly (pictured).

When Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) starts a paid-escort service, Shane meets up with her to talk about his marriage troubles.[13] When Chloe's boss Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) discovers her side business he gets revenge by telling Dipi that Shane has used Chloe's service.[13] Dipi incorrectly assumes that Shane has been paying Chloe for sex. She is outraged and confronts Chloe on Ramsay Street. Their argument escalates and Chloe falls into a pile of rubbish.[14] Pengilly told Johnathon Hughes of the Radio Times that Shane just wants information about her business accosiate and Chloe wants to help Shane. She added that it is a story where the "wires are definitely crossed" when Dipi assumes the worst.[15]

The scene was originally supposed to feature Dipi becoming violent with Chloe, grabbing her neck choker and pushing her into the trash. Johal was unhappy with the scene and did not like the dialogue used.[14] She thought that Dipi would not want to shame another women for her lifestyle choices. She also wanted to demonstrate that her character had learned to overcome violence following her physical altercation with Jake.[14] The scene instead played out with Chloe falling into the rubbish. While Johal added in a line about her husband being dishonest to demonstrate it is not always the woman's fault.[14] Pengilly also approved the scene change and wrote on her Instagram stating "we both went to great lengths to change this scene, it was written as a classic cat fight, in which Chloe was basically slut-shamed."[16]

Estranging Mishti

During their time on-screen together Dipi constantly interferes in Mishti's personal life. Firstly she does not approve of Mishti's boyfriend Leo Tanaka (Tim Kano). Mishti constantly plays the role of peacemaker between Dipi and Leo as tries to repair their rift. She argues Leo's point of view but Dipi remains unconvinced.[17] Dipi believes that Leo has ill-advised Shane over a business deal to secure backing for his urine powered generator. She accusess him of plotting to secure a free generator from Shane.[17] At a family barbecue Dipi continues to bicker with Leo. Johal told a reporter from Inside Soap that her character is not willing to solve her differences with Leo, stating "when Leo confronts Dipi about her behaviour, she tries to avoid the conversation."[18] The argument escalates and the pair fall into the Rebecchi's swimming pool. Johal and Kano enjoyed the opportunity to film the comedic scenes.[18] Dipi redeems herself when Mishti learns she is pregnant with Leo's baby. Dipi offers her advice to Mishti, which she responds well to. Vas told Sally Brockway from Soaplife that "Dipi reckons she'll be a great mum and Mishti really appreciates her advice. Dipi's supoort makes Mishti feel like she can do it."[19]

Writers created another a rift between Dipi and Mishti with her interfering in Mishti's relationship with Pavan Nahal (Akkshey Caplash). When Mishti joins an arranged marriage website Dipi is furious. She thinks that arranged marriage is outdated and cannot understand Mishti's actions. She tries to convince Dipi to support her.[20] Mishti finds her potential husband Pavan and they begin to date. Mishti tries to win Dipi's support by arranging a family meal. Dipi tries but decides that Pavan is unsuitable and hatches a plan to sabotage their relationship.[21] Dipi's plans backfire and Mishti thinks Pavan will be the perfect husband.[21]

When the Rebecchi's meet Pavan's disapproving mother Menna Nahal (Mala Singh-Narayan), Dipi decides to interfere and talk to her. Menna does not respond well to Dipi's words and leaves.[22] When Pavan calls off their engagement, Mishti blames Dipi and accuses her of sabotaging her relationship. Mishti incorrectly assumes that Dipi informed Pavan about her involvement in a sex tape. Dipi promises Mishti she is not to blame and decides to meddle yet again and contact Pavan to discover how he found out.[23] Dipi eventually convinces Pavan to reconcile with Mishti. He receives a job offer in Sydney and Mishti agrees to move away with him. As she leaves forgives Dipi and thanks her for the support she gave during her many relationship dramas.[24]

New Year's Eve attack

Writers planned a story for Dipi which saw her fall victim to a violent attack during the show's New Year's Eve episode.[25] Susannah Alexander from Digital Spy reported it as a "dramatic" plot which would see the character's "life hang in the balance".[25] The story begins with Dipi carrying out tarot card readings and the results lead her to believe that someone close to her will die.[26] The attack occurs when Gary believes that Kev McNally (Troy Davis) has planted stolen goods in the coffee hut to frame him. Gary sets out to catch Kev but loses him. Dipi passes by during the night and Gary mistakenly assumes she is Kev and lunges at her. Dipi is knocked unconscious and is rushed to hospital.[25] The show had been teasing their audience with news that they planned to kill off a regular character in 2019. Dipi's attack coincided with this but it was soon revealed that her sister-in-law Sonya Rebecchi (Eve Morey) would be the death victim.[26][27]

Following her release from hospital, Gary tries to make amends by baking desserts for Dipi. They bond over their shared love of baking and he gives her a recipe book as a gift. Shane reacts violently to Gary being in his home and throws him out into the street. He tries to attack Gary further but Amy Williams (Zoe Cramond) intervenes to stop Shane.[28] Some viewers believed that the show's writers were planning an affair plot for Dipi and Gary. Johal denied this via her Twitter account stating they were not well matched.[29]

Reception

Maddison Hockey from TV Week said that "Sharon Johal is breaking down barriers on Australian TV" by playing the role of Dipi.[7] While journalist Joe Scrimshire noted that Dipi and her family as examples of how Australian television cast were gaining more diversity.[30] Anna Vlach from news.com.au wrote that Johal made "history as the first Punjabi Sikh actor on national television in a mainstream show."[6] Kelsey Munro and Sarah Abo from SBS Australia also made note of the show's change in diversity values stating "Rebecchi is one half of an interracial couple with two kids. While that might sound unremarkable in real life, the once exclusively Anglo-Celtic soap has been slow to reflect Australia’s multicultural diversity."[31] Aneeta Menon from Indian Link Australia said that Indian families had been a part of Australian society for decades and that with Dipi and her family joining Neighbours, television was finally beginning to reflect the real diverse society.[32]

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References
  1. Kilkelly, Daniel (27 March 2017). "Neighbours unveils a brand new family as Toadie Rebecchi's brother Shane returns". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  2. "Sharon Johal Neighbours' Dipi Rebecchi ...faces your questions!". Inside Soap. (Hearst Magazines UK) (40): 46–47. 7–13 October 2017.
  3. "Sharon Johal (Dipi Rebecchi) - Neighbours Q&A". Neighbours Youtube Channel. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  4. "New Rebecchis On The Block". Tenplay. 24 April 2017. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  5. Kilkelly, Daniel (17 April 2017). "Neighbours' Shane Rebecchi shares shock news with his family in these brand new pictures". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  6. Vlach, Anna (25 September 2018). "SA Neighbours actor Sharon Johal to marry Ankur Dogra in four-day Sikh wedding". news.com.au. (News Corp Australia). Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  7. Hockey, Maddison (14 January 2019). "Neighbours star Sharon Johal is paving her own path on Aussie TV". Now To Love. (Bauer Media Group). Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  8. "Dipi Rebecchi". Tenplay. 24 January 2018. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  9. "Nicholas Coghlan Shane Rebecchi and Sharon Johal Dipi Rebecchi Q A Part 2". Tenplay. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  10. "Nicholas Coghlan Shane Rebecchi and Sharon Johal Dipi Rebecchi Q A Part 1". Tenplay. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  11. "Mishti arrests Shane!". Inside Soap. (Hearst Magazines UK) (1): 24. 13–19 January 2018.
  12. Kilkelly, Daniel (1 April 2018). "Neighbours' Dipi Rebecchi resorts to violence in a shock football game row". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  13. "Neighbours spoilers: Catfight! Dipi Rebecchi confronts Chloe Brennan". What's on TV. (TI Media). 18 September 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  14. Edwards, Chris (18 September 2018). "Neighbours star Sharon Johal reveals she changed a Dipi Rebecchi scene she "hated doing"". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  15. Hughes, Johnathon (11 September 2018). "Neighbours: are Chloe and Shane having an affair? April Rose Pengilly on scandalous twist". Radio Times. (Immediate Media Company). Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  16. Harp, Justin (20 September 2018). "Neighbours star April Rose Pengilly reveals she also wanted "slut-shaming" scene changed". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  17. Morris, Sasha (26 January 2018). "Neighbours bombshell Mishti flaunts endless legs in tiniest outfit yet". Daily Star. (Reach plc). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  18. "Dipi takes a dip!". Inside Soap. (Hearst Magazines UK) (3): 29. 20–26 January 2018.
  19. Brockway, Sally (10–16 March 2018). "Mishti's baby bombshell!". Soaplife. (TI Media) (430): 52.
  20. "Mishti clashes with sister Dipi over arranged marriage on Neighbours". RTÉ.ie. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  21. Kilkelly, Daniel (26 August 2018). "Neighbours sabotage as Dipi meets Mishti's new man". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  22. Baillie, Katie (30 September 2018). "Piper plans to flee with Cassius as Terese and Ned work out what he's done: 8 huge Neighbours spoilers". Metro. (DMG Media). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  23. "Neighbours spoilers: Can Dipi Rebecchi save sister Mishti Sharma's doomed relationship?". What's on TV. (TI Media). 10 October 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  24. Kilkelly, Daniel (7 October 2018). "Neighbours exit ahead for Mishti Sharma". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  25. Alex, Susannah (17 December 2018). "Neighbours' Dipi in New Year attack horror". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  26. Morris, Sasha (17 December 2018). "Heartbreaking Neighbours death confirmed in shock Rebecchi twist?". Daily Star. (Reach plc). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  27. Anderton, Joe (12 January 2019). "Neighbours death victim revealed as regular receives tragic news". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  28. Kilkelly, Daniel (31 December 2018). "Neighbours' Shane Rebecchi turns violent with Gary Canning". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  29. Miller, Rebecca (9 January 2019). "Neighbours spoilers: Dipi Rebecchi and Gary Canning to have affair as major clue dropped?". Daily Express. (Reach plc). Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  30. Scrimshire, Joe (18 July 2018). "'I wouldn't say that there's been a huge change': The Project's Waleed Aly claims Australian TV is making 'slow' progress towards diversity... two years after his passionate Gold Logies speech". MSN. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  31. Munro, Kelsey; Abo, Sarah (21 January 2018). "My Australia: Neighbours star Sharon Johal on pursuing two dreams". SBS Australia. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  32. Menon, Aneeta (25 May 2017). "Over the fence: What do our Neighbours look like in 2017?". Indian Link Australia. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
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