Miheeka Daggubati Carves Her Own Path Beyond Celebrity Marriage
While public recognition often begins with her identity as actor-producer Rana Daggubati's wife, Miheeka Daggubati has deliberately and successfully established an independent professional and personal identity. A trained interior designer with a Master's degree from Chelsea University, she also serves as a mental health advocate and art entrepreneur, demonstrating remarkable versatility in her pursuits.
Hyderabad's Cultural Evolution Through Miheeka's Eyes
In an exclusive conversation, Miheeka reveals her deep connection to Hyderabad, describing it as fundamental to her identity. "I was born and raised here, and Hyderabad is a huge part of who I am," she explains. While she humorously acknowledges the city's famous biryani as one marker of local identity, she emphasizes Hyderabad's unique balance between tradition and modernity.
"You can visit a temple in the morning and attend an art show in the evening without feeling like you're switching identities," Miheeka observes. "What I love is how Hyderabad blends old-world charm with a modern, global outlook. That balance reflects in the way people live, think, and create here."
Transforming Hyderabad's Art Landscape
Miheeka has transitioned from being an observer to an active participant in Hyderabad's cultural scene. Recently, she hosted a significant exhibition featuring works by 34 senior artists across five leading galleries, signaling what she believes is a shift in the city's artistic preferences.
"Hyderabad is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country," she asserts. "It has the money, the taste, and the curiosity. Earlier, choices were mostly traditional; you'd see Tanjore paintings in almost every home. But today, especially in younger households, you find quirky, contemporary pieces."
She notes that Hyderabad residents are becoming more sophisticated art consumers, asking detailed questions about artists, creative processes, and the meaning behind artworks. "People today are far more exposed to global art through travel and social media," Miheeka explains. "This shift has helped Hyderabad grow into a vibrant space for contemporary art."
The Therapeutic Journey and Mental Health Advocacy
Among her many roles, Miheeka considers her work as a mental health advocate particularly significant and personal. She draws parallels between designing physical spaces and navigating internal emotional landscapes.
"Life moves so quickly that we rarely pause to ask if we're truly happy," she reflects. "I've personally experienced therapy, and I can honestly say I'm not the same person I was five years ago."
Describing therapy as a transformative process, she explains: "Therapy doesn't hand you answers; it breaks you down before building you back up. Facing yourself without masks and layers is one of the hardest things a human can do. But it taught me to step back, observe, and recognize, this is the situation, this is what I'm feeling — before reacting to the outside world."
Creative Partnership with Rana Daggubati
At home, creativity forms the foundation of Miheeka's relationship with her husband. "We are both creatively inclined," she shares. "We love discussing art, design, and films. We both love Salvador Dalí, for instance. But it's never a 'you-versus-me' debate. Art is subjective. What I see might be different from what he sees, and that difference is what keeps the dialogue alive."
She describes their family life as joyful and celebratory, living in what she calls a "happy little bubble" within their joint family of eight members.
Navigating Language and Public Platform
Miheeka laughs when discussing her Telugu language skills, noting that marriage has accelerated her learning. "I knew a little before marriage, but being surrounded by it — through my in-laws, Nainamma (grandmother), and even the staff — has helped me pick it up organically," she says. "Honestly, managing the household accelerates learning the most! If you want the staff to take you seriously, you have to speak the language."
Regarding her public presence, Miheeka maintains a thoughtful approach. "Being part of a well-known family hasn't changed my need for a peaceful, grounded life," she explains. "While opportunities to speak arise because of my marriage, I choose to speak only when I feel I have something meaningful to add. A platform comes with responsibility, and I believe it's important to use it wisely, or not at all."
Throughout the conversation, Miheeka emphasizes that for her, "art is not just about how it looks; it's about the emotion, the story and the journey behind it," a philosophy that extends to her approach to life, relationships, and her evolving role in Hyderabad's cultural renaissance.
