In a recent interview with Lehren, the acclaimed actress Divya Dutta opened up about her illustrious journey in the film industry. Tracing her roots back to her early milestones, Divya talked about how her passion for acting since 4 years of age defined her career in the life ahead.
As she emerged as the best out of 50,000 candidates across India, Divya expressed her gratitude on being selected by Stardust , after which her career took the right turn.
Divya fondly recalled her debut film, “Suraksha,” where she shared the screen with stalwarts like Suniel Shetty, Saif Ali Khan, and Aditya Pancholi. Reflecting on her first day of shooting, she admitted of being too anxious. “I was so nervous that I stood all night, I did not sit”, Divya said on working with the macho man- Suniel Shetty.
Divya has given notable performances in multiple movies like ‘Veer-Zara’, ‘Ram aur Shyam’, ‘Baghban’ and more. Discussing her approach towards selecting roles, Divya described herself as a “moody actor.” She emphasized that she only takes on projects that resonate with her interests. “Jo dil ko acha lagta hai wahi karti hu. I like to be exclusive, whatever films I do, I choose them” she added. The interaction revealed how her focus always tends to be on the quality of the work rather than the quantity. She values exclusivity and often chooses her roles on her own.
Acting Career
As a child, Divya was greatly inspired by iconic actresses like Sanjeev Kumar, Smita Patil, Tina Dutt, and Nargis. Fortunately, her evergreen on-screen performances brought her to receiving awards in the names of her very ideal personalities. These rewards have validated her efforts and placed her in the company of the legends she always looked up to.
Divya’s portrayal of Shabbo in “Veer-Zaara” stands out as one of her most cherished experiences. Directed by the legendary Yash Chopra, the film was a turning point in her career. She shared that the role significantly altered people’s perception of her as an actress.
If not an actor, Divya expressed that she would have pursued her career as a psychologist. She enjoys observing people, a trait that she finds useful in her acting career as well.
In addition to her work in Bollywood, Divya has made significant contributions to Punjabi cinema as well. Divya worked in three Punjabi films, out of which, one was even nominated for the Oscars.
Divya Dutta’s journey reflects her determination, and ability to evolve with time. From her early dreams of becoming like Sanjeev Kumar to coming out with a unique identity in the film industry, she continues to inspire many by her dedication. Check out the new podcast below as our industry’s Shabbo unveils stories of her life.
