Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; December 22, 2019)

Speaking at a session at the recently concluded Jashn-e-Rekhta in Delhi, Divya Dutta shared the trauma of doing a rape scene in a film. She said, “Some time back, I was shooting a film which had a marital rape scene. When we do such scenes, directors, actors and crew are quite sensitive and ensure that it goes right. Directors ensure that nobody is on the set for that scene apart from those who are part of the shoot. Sab kuch dhyan rakha jata hai. We did that scene, and after shooting it, when I went home, I broke down. I cried a lot. I felt violated by the sheer feeling of the entire thing.”

Divya says, “When I read about rape cases, I feel a sense of anger and helplessness. What should I do? Should I express my anger on social media? Is that it? Kya hum keval ek hashtag ban kar nahi reh gaye hain?” Emphasising on the importance of stricter laws and the need for parents to raise their boys right, she said, “I am shocked when I see videos on social media — a girl is being beaten up and someone is shooting it, rather than helping her. I think we all need to take personal responsibility, and take action when we see anything wrong happening around us. I do that when I see any man harassing a woman. I go and stop that, even if they are actors. Someone might object — why is she intervening, but I will. I think everyone should do that, too.”

‘ISS BAAT KA MUJHE MALAL RAHEGA KI KABHI SHAH RUKH YA SALMAN KO ROMANCE NAHI KIYA’
Talking about her filmography, Divya said, “I was rejected for many films. Once, I was called for a film which was a big project. I went there and waited, and then someone came to me and told me, “Pehle tum moti thi, tab bahut cute thi. Ab patli ho gayi, ab nahi chahiye. Tum jao.’ This disappointed me so much that I packed my bags, and then I got a call for Train To Pakistan.” She jokingly said, “Haan, iss baat ka mujhe malal rahega ki maine kabhi Shah Rukh ya Salman ko romance nahi kiya (on screen). But, there was Irrfan in my life. Now I’m in my 40s and I’m doing romantic, negative and comic roles and I’m having fun in life.”