Divya Khosla Kumar, who directed ‘Yaariyan’ (2014) and featured in a couple of films in the last few years, is now excited about ‘Yaariyan 2’, which has her playing the lead along with actors Meezaan Jafri and Pearl V Puri. The film, directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, will be released tomorrow. In a conversation with Bombay Times, she talks about her challenges as an artiste and how she is now focused on her acting career. Excerpts:

Talking about why she didn’t follow the trend of quickly making a sequel to her successful directorial debut film ‘Yaariyan’, she says, “I don’t take on a project just for the sake of it. The subject has to ignite passion in me. Until directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru presented me with this unique and entertaining story based on yaariyan between three cousins, I hadn’t found a suitable story that could do justice to the brand. ‘Yaariyan 2’ is probably the first Hindi film to capture the bond between cousins on screen.”

Divya had complete trust that the director duo would do justice to the project and was never tempted to tell them how to handle the film. She shares, “When I work with a director in the capacity of an actor, it’s crucial for me that I trust their vision, surrender to it, and never question their judgment. The character, Laadli, has been written keeping my real self in mind. The directors know me personally and my goofy and witty nature. So, while my co-actors had to work hard to get into their character, I just had to be myself (smiles). ‘Yaariyan 2’ is important to me because my character is beautifully etched out. The audience will get to see me in a full-fledged role for the first time in a Bollywood film.”

Having dabbled in both acting and direction, what’s closer to her heart? “I am the happiest and creatively alive on a set. Both acting and direction give me a lot of creative satisfaction. However, I must admit that direction is way tougher than acting because one has to manage so much. At the moment, I am concentrating on acting. I also feel it’s a great time for actors with the kind of content that is being generated. Content is king today,” she replies.

Divya’s journey in showbiz is marked by long gaps – from her film debut with ‘Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo’ (2004) to getting married and returning to acting with ‘Satyameva Jayate 2’ (2021). “I have been constantly working. It’s just that when you are working behind the camera, it often goes unnoticed. I have learnt on the job and grown, especially behind the camera. I have neither assisted any director nor has anyone been my teacher, guide, or support. After directing ‘Sanam Re', when I decided to get back to acting, I had to start with music videos for industry people to see my work and approach me. That’s how I was cast in ‘Satyameva Jayate 2’.”

Talking about how there is unnecessary focus on an actress’ age, while male actors don’t have to deal with similar scrutiny, she says, “There are a lot of misconceptions about my age. I was only 17 when I shot for my debut film and got married after that. I am 35 now. An actress’ age is always under scrutiny. Most actresses are in their 30s, so why do people create hullabaloo about my age? An actor should be judged for her ability to play a character, be it an 18-year-old or 60-year-old, and I can pull off both.”