Divya Duttawho celebrated her Birthday Recently, this year also completed thirty years in the industry. In a conversation with us, the actress reflects on her choices professionally and personally, and how she’s in a comfortable space in both aspects of her life
People will want to know what category I fit into
She began her career in an industry known for its defining boxes— commercial cinema Contrasting parallel films, quintessential heroine versus character actor – Divya Dutta often finds herself taking a less traveled path. Is she an advertisement? parallel cinema actor? Heroine or character actor? Dutta recalled.
Divya Dutta (left) plays Shabbo with Preity Zinta in Veer Zaara (2004)
“Despite the initial chaos in the industry, I was determined to forge my own path. Thirty years later, I still get roles written for me. “When someone comes along and says, ‘This is for you, you can do it,’ that’s It’s the most comforting feeling. It’s not often that you have a career where you can do exactly what you want, do what you love,” she said.
There were a lot of “no’s” along the way
From playing romantic leads to villains, Divya has done it all. “I’m often told I can’t play certain roles. I’m told I’m too soft for negative roles. But when I’m told I can’t do something, it’s a challenge for me,” she said with a smile. “There were a lot of ‘nos’ along the way,” she admits. “People thought I was crazy for turning down invitations I received, but I followed my instincts. No one can tell me I’m just a romantic heroine or a weakling or a lady. I always try. Make sure my work is as diverse as possible. I was offered a role by a production company and midway through the narration I said no, I didn’t want to do it, so I told them I didn’t like playing the role. Also very sporty and accepting of my decision. Now if I don’t like a character, I don’t like anything ambiguous, pretend mujhe karna nahi aata, jab. nayi-nayi aayi thi tab karti thi, but now I just like to go straight Ab pyaar so bolna nahi aata hai, ab toh bas ‘chup kar, mujhe nahi karna hai’ kehti hoon I think I deserve it now, trust me, I’ve worked on better projects with the same people (laughs).
Divya Dutta
Ott There will never be competition in watching dramas
With several films releasing on the big screen and OTT, Divya feels the two can never compete. “I think there needs to be a good integration between OTT and theatrical releases, like a movie that releases in theaters should be released on OTT after 6 months. We also need OTT for small films. Films like Laapata Ladies got Aamir Khan Productions, 12th failure Vidhu Vinod Chopra Support it so they can be marketed, promoted and released in theaters. But ab agar ek chhoti film hai, kambudget wali, woh kahan hi jayegi. So OTT is a boon for such projects. But a theatrical release never will. We have had a lot of re-releases recently, which is so attractive to Badi Screen,” she added. “What I really feel is that we need good writers. The film Chahe chhoti ho ya badi, Agar Story is gripping, nahi hai toh audience nahi dekhegi, chahe OTT pe ho, ya theater me. Today’s audience is very smart and discerning so we need big name actors now just for the initial push uske baad toh the story is what matters nahi. , toh
There is no audience.
Divya Dutta (illustration) plays Miss Tang Rohini in Dhaakad (2022)
I don’t want any toxicity in my life
Divya said that being single and very happy about it, she is happy to be alone. “I want a partner, but I’m not going to miss it. I think that’s because I’m so happy with my space now and all the experiences you’re having. I don’t want any toxicity in my life right now. When When a good partner comes into my life, I think I’ll know it and until then, I don’t want any more time to pass,” said the actress, who celebrated her birthday earlier this week. “I do get a lot of male attention, but sometimes you’re at a stage where you’re really happy with the work you’re doing, and I guess I’m in that area. Also, at this stage in my life, for me The most important thing is inner peace. So when you have inner peace, only you can do your best in any situation, be it personal or professional Baki I think, woh Completeness hum jo doosron mein dhoondte hain, I don’t think I do. Being in that state of wanting to be whole with someone. But definitely a partner. I love traveling with someone and going on these romantic outings because I’m a die-hard romantic but with the right person. Together. Of course, I don’t want to get married in my life, I mean I shouldn’t say no, but I think I would be happier with my best partner until then, and I wouldn’t like it any other way. . Maje aa rahe hain!”
(BCCL/@divyadutta25)
lifelong lessons
Dutta fondly recalls a lesson she learned from filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra while shooting for the film Delhi 6. Waheeda ji, Rishi ji, Om Puri sahab and I were very hesitant to say such things in front of them. So, after several retakes, Rakeysh finally came to me and told me, ‘Put Divya aside. She is so sweet. Think about what kind of person Jalebi is and let her character take over. This advice has stayed with me.
— With input from Ankita Bharti
