Showing posts with label Dia Mirza interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dia Mirza interview. Show all posts
Dia Mirza on completing 25 years: "I was sidelined from feature films after my box-office failures"
11:08 AM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 21, 2026)
At 19, fresh from winning the Miss Asia Pacific International crown in 2000, Dia Mirza made her Bollywood debut opposite R Madhavan in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001). As the film, which initially failed at the box office before gaining cult status, completes 25 years this month, the 44-year-old actor reflects on being sidelined after her early films failed and how the experience shaped her career.
“When my films didn’t work at the box office, I was honestly bunked from feature films. And that can be a huge emotional setback to a young and aspiring actor,” she says.
By 2004-05, Mirza had stopped chasing stardom, choosing instead to focus on stories she believed in and work with people who made her feel respected. “I’ve pursued meaning over material. For me, what really matters and has continued to matter even more progressively through the years is what is the substance that I’m getting behind? What is the reason for telling a story? The why really matters to me,” she says.
That conviction also led her to venture into film production early in her career. “I had the audacity to turn film producer at the age of 24. I released my first independent film at 26 as a producer,” she says. Through her production house, which backed Love Breakups Zindagi (2011) and the Vidya Balan-starrer Bobby Jasoos (2014), she created space for stories she believed in. “If I’m not going to get a seat at the table, I’m going to build my own table. I am going to create space for what I truly believe in and what I believe I can add value to.”
Over the years, Mirza says, the industry’s perception of her has evolved. She credits the web series Kaafir (2019), in which she played Kainaaz Akhtar, with marking a turning point. “Up until then, I would hear people say, ‘You’re so beautiful, underutilized, you should be doing more.’ But after Kaafir, I’ve not heard it. I’ve not heard it even once,” she says.
Her performances in Sanju (2018), in which she played Maanayata Dutt, and as Maneka also opened up new opportunities. “I feel like Sanju was a major turning point. And playing Maanayata, because I think finally it kind of really opened up opportunities that hadn't opened up for a very long time,” she explains.
Mirza says she has never measured a role by its length or whether she gets to play the central character. “I’ve never pursued length. I’ve always pursued depth.” She is drawn to layered, flawed and complicated women, looking beyond characters who merely serve a limited purpose in a story. “What matters most to me is why does this character exist? What is this character trying to help the story navigate? And where does this leave us as people when we’ve experienced this character?” she says.
Reflecting on the portrayal of women in cinema, Mirza believes the understanding of patriarchy and misogyny has evolved considerably over the past 10 to 15 years. “Women are better informed and we’re able to make better choices,” she says, pointing to filmmakers such as Anubhav Sinha, whose Thappad explored these issues with sensitivity.
Having navigated professional setbacks and changing opportunities, Mirza believes longevity depends on an actor’s willingness to keep learning rather than chase visibility or stardom. Her advice to young actors entering the industry is clear: “There is no shelf life. You decide how long you want to work for. As long as you are willing to grow and work and learn and bring your best effort and your integrity to a path, you will always work.”
Anil Kapoor is responsible for convincing me to become a part of films-Dia Mirza
8:46 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 18, 2026)
For Dia Mirza Rekhi, 2026 is a special year. She marks 25 years as an actor, and was seen in Ikka with Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna and opposite Anil Kapoor in Alpha. She also has web series Operation Safed Sagar in the offing.
And it all started thanks to her co-star. “AK (Anil) is responsible for convincing me to become a part of films,” the 44-year-old reveals, adding, “He met me right after my Asia Pacific pageant (in 2000). He and Anupam Kher were very keen that I do the film that they were working on, and they were the ones who helped me get my first film.”
For Dia, starring opposite Anil “felt like a beautiful full circle moment”: “The first time I met him in the lobby of a hotel in Hyderabad, he had told me, “You have so much grace, you would be so beautiful on screen, you must become an actor’.”
Dia is also all praise for Sunny and Akshaye. “I’ve done some films with Akshaye’s father (late veteran Vinod Khanna) and we shared a very special bond, and I’ve known Rahul (Khanna, Akshaye’s brother). I’d actually approached Akshaye to act in a film that I was producing, but that didn’t work out. So, it was cool to finally work with him,” she shares.
Their film also featured a scene of her slapping Akshaye. “I was terrified, and then Sunny sir was quick to jump in and say, ‘Listen, you’re playing my wife, so you shouldn’t be scared’. And I was like, ‘Have you seen Khanna sa’ab’s fan following?’” she laughs, adding, “It’s only in the last eight years that I have been appreciated and my films have done ridiculously well at the box office. The last 25 years have been preparation for what is to come.”
The only privilege I had was that I was a beauty title holder-Dia Mirza
8:49 AM
Dia Mirza, whose web series Kaafir has been turned into a film, discusses OTT changing the game for female actors and how she says more nos than yes to projects
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; April 10, 2025)
Call it a quirk of fate or irony, but Dia Mirza’s Kaafir (2019) was initially written as a film. After six years of streaming as a web series, the Zee5 offering has now been trimmed to a movie. Smiling at the turn of events, Mirza says, “It was first written as a film, but it was stuck for many years. Then Zee5 came along and said they will make it as a series. So, Bhavani Iyer [writer] rewrote it. Now, [as it streams in a film format], I was curious to see what would be retained.”
Kaafir tells the story of a woman from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, who ends up as a prisoner in India. It fits seamlessly in Mirza’s filmography that, over the last few years, has seen diverse stories—from Thappad (2020) to Dhak Dhak (2023) and IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack (2024). But finding such opportunities hasn’t been easy.
The actor shares, “For me, Dhak Dhak was a clarion call. It changed my perception of how life would be in my 40s. The industry had made me believe that by my 40s, I’d be obscure.”
Even as she credits OTT for opening doors for female actors, she notes that author-backed roles are hard to come by. “OTT has opened up [opportunities] for female parts. But again, stories like Dhak Dhak are rare. It takes a lot of sifting and sometimes also hurting egos [to find the right projects]. I say more nos than yes.”
The actor recently worked alongside Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor in Nadaaniyan. With the two actors having been trolled for their performances, Mirza says she empathized with them, as it reminded her of the “vicious” attack she received in her early years.
“We didn’t have social media then, but I was burnt at the stake. So, I empathize with how hard a personal attack can hit. The only privilege I had was that I was a beauty title holder. Beyond that, I didn’t have any support system.”
Dia Mirza on Nadaaniyan backlash: "I feel there’s a culture of ‘eat the privilege’, which is harsh"
8:21 AM
Roopa Radhakrishnan (BOMBAY TIMES; April 3, 2025)
While she started her film journey as a background dancer in the Tamil film En Swasa Kaatre (1999), Dia Mirza hasn’t acted in any Tamil film so far. “I have no idea why I haven’t done a Tamil film yet; I would love to work here,” states the Bollywood actress, who was recently in Chennai. She speaks to us about her wish to be part of Tamil films, making her debut in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (RHTDM) alongside Madhavan, the backlash against her recent film, Nadaaniyan, and more…
‘OPINIONS SHOULDN’T BE EXPRESSED AT THE COST OF SOMEBODY’S MENTAL HEALTH’
Addressing the backlash directed at Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor for Nadaaniyan, Dia, who was also a part of the film, states, “I have never been in favour of personal attacks and find them extremely disrespectful. Everyone is free to have an opinion, but it shouldn’t be expressed at the cost of somebody’s mental health. I’ve been concerned, especially for the younger actors, about the harshness of what’s being said. I feel there’s a culture of ‘eat the privilege’, which is harsh, because people have their own stuff to deal with.”
‘MANI RATNAM SIR CHANGED MY PERCEPTION OF STORYTELLING’
Sharing about her recent interaction with director Mani Ratnam, Dia says, “Mani Ratnam sir is one of my all-time favourite directors. We were recently on a flight together, and I was awestruck by him. I went up to him and said, ‘I don’t want to lose this opportunity to tell you how much I admire you.’ It was interesting to see how awkward he is with praise. His cinema impacted my childhood and influenced my perception of storytelling.”
‘I HAVE A DEEP REGARD AND RESPECT FOR ARVIND SWAMI SIR; SIDDHARTH IS PHENOMENAL’
The actress was part of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack that featured actor Arvind Swami. Speaking about him, she says, “I didn’t get to share a scene with Arvind (Swami) sir, but I have a deep regard and respect for him. He is a phenomenal artiste. Another artiste I admire from here is Siddharth, who is phenomenal. I watched Chithha, a film he produced and acted in, and what a powerful film it was! The entire cast was so compelling.”
‘NAGARJUNA SIR WAS WARM, KIND AND ACCESSIBLE’
Dia is also all praise for actor Nagarjuna, who acted opposite her in her Telugu debut, Wild Dog. “COVID-19 had just started when we did the film, and we were all terrified. But Nag sir made the experience very easy, which says a lot about him. It can be extremely intimidating when you are working with a superstar, but he was the most accessible co-actor. He was so warm and kind. I also spent a lot of time with Amala ma’am. I’ve always admired her and love the work that she’s done for animal care,” she shares.
‘MY IDEA OF SUCCESS WAS CONNECTED MORE TO BOX OFFICE’
Speaking about how her idea of success has changed over the years, Dia says, “When I started out, my idea of success was connected more to box office and material gains. Over the years, I’ve realized that success is about showing up every moment with preparedness and an understanding of the medium that you are a part of. It’s about being able to offer your best self to the opportunity.”
‘As a teenager, I had the biggest crush on Maddy’
Talking to us about her first film, a remake of the Tamil film Minnale, which starred Madhavan and was directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, Dia shares, “Working with them was wonderful. I would attribute a big part of the love the film continues to receive to Harris Jayaraj’s music. Zara Zara (Vaseegara in Tamil) evokes an indescribable feeling. I’m still in touch with Maddy, but not with Gautham sir. As a teenager, I used to watch Maddy’s TV shows and had the biggest crush on him.”
I was dropped from many projects after Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein flopped-Dia Mirza
8:18 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; August 30, 2024)
When Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (RHTDM) first hit the screens in 2001, the movie, which marked Dia Mirza Rekhi’s Bollywood debut, failed to create magic at the box office. However, even two decades later, the film continues to get love from the audience and is now being re-released in theatres. Dia, who shared screen space with R Madhavan and Saif Ali Khan in the film, speaks to BT about losing projects after the movie’s failure and how it eventually went on to find a deep connect with the audience:
‘I remember being dropped from many projects after the film released’
While Dia enjoyed shooting the film, she was devastated upon its release. The actress remembers, “We were all devastated! I remember being dropped from many projects.”
However, the film’s popularity grew once it was screened on television and, many years later, got a further boost on social media. This, Dia says, was a revelation for her.
“The film attained a cult status purely due to the extraordinary love the audience continues to give the film. It helped me discover how little box office matters to a film that genuinely connects with people. It’s a gift that keeps giving,” she says.
‘Madhavan was like a mentor on set’
Dia, who was new to the film world when she began shooting for it, says that her co-star Madhavan was like a mentor on set. “Maddy had already done the movie in the south (the Tamil film Minnale). He knew his character arc well. I often felt like he was a mentor on set, guiding, advising and generally being the gentleman he is. Today, we share a bond that has grown over the years,” she shares.
About her other co-star, she says, “Saif was always making me laugh. I loved spending time with him. He instantly put me at ease with his candour and humour.”
‘The fanbase insists a sequel should happen’
Fans of the film often chat on social media about how they want to see a sequel to the movie, and Dia is aware of it. She says, “A sequel would mean an extension of Maddy and Reena’s (the characters played by Madhavan and Dia) story. The fanbase insists it should happen. Maddy and Reena’s core values are sound. There are a few things they would definitely do differently. But what continues to connect with people is how rooted the story is.”
I don’t understand why we would include something that harms life, like a balloon-Dia Mirza
7:45 AM
Shivika Manchanda (BOMBAY TIMES; November 6, 2023)
Amid grand celebrations, festive gatherings and exchanging gifts, making sustainable choices may be challenging for most people. However, for Dia Mirza, every day is about making mindful choices and she says that it’s even more important during festivals. “When you choose to live mindfully and consciously, all your choices are impacted, even how you celebrate festivals,” she says.
Reminiscing about her childhood days, Dia says, “I am lucky to have been raised by a mother who’s always been earth-friendly. As a kid, I used to light mitti diyas on Diwali. While I was in school, I discovered that many children were involved in making crackers and I didn’t want to burst any crackers. At that time, air pollution wasn’t a point of discussion, today it is. We are living in an over-consumptive world and the exploitative nature is causing a complete imbalance in the natural world, severely impacting human health, peace and progress.”
‘Special days can be celebrated sustainably’
Dia’s son Avyaan’s eco-friendly birthday party set an example for how big days can be celebrated responsibly, including festivals. Talking about how any festive gathering can be plastic-free, Dia says, “We must celebrate the birth of our loved ones, but I don’t understand why we would include something that harms life, like a balloon. There are small measures that one that we can take up like finding alternatives to the usual decor, using reusable cutlery, celebrating in natural settings and minimizing waste.”
Adding, she says, “Special days, weddings and festivals can be celebrated minimally, sustainably and without harming anyone. I feel, if the intention is to be sustainable during the festive season, we all can find a way.”
Dia’s Diwali is about...
“For me, Diwali is about lighting people’s lives and making a difference. It has always been about being generous and supporting people and communities. Diwali is about gifting other people happiness and bringing joy. For years, I used to gift handmade diyas made by Cancer Patients Aid Association for Diwali. Now, I either gift experiences to friends and family members or I plant a tree in their name for festivals or special days.”
When we get on a motorbike, I feel we are overcoming intergenerational inequality and fear-Dia Mirza
9:01 AM
The actor-producer just learned to ride, and is telling all women to hop on—age no bar, fear be damned
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; October 22, 2023)
“I was super excited when I heard I had to ride a motorbike in Dhak Dhak. It would mean that I could overcome a fear, and also fulfill a lifelong dream,” says Dia Mirza, who at 41, learned how to ride a geared two-wheeler for the road trip movie.
In the film, which released last week, four women set out on a journey of self-discovery through the highest motorable pass in the world, Khardung La in Ladakh. The cast also includes Ratna Pathak Shah, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanjana Sanghi, and has been produced by Tapasee Pannu.
Striding the two-wheeler revived memories of Mirza’s late father. She was born in Hyderabad to a German father and a Bengali mother; Frank Handrich passed away when she was just nine years old. “I remember sitting with dad on his bike, holding him,” she says, “I was very young then, and ever since he passed, I’ve wanted to ride. But I’ve never even tried… maybe I was scared. So, this was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. It was also a powerful story about women searching for freedom, so it all tied in well together.”
In his cult 1974 book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, author Robert M Pirsig writes, “The real cycle you’re working on is a cycle called yourself.”
Mirza would concur. “We learnt how to find our centre of gravity, handle the weight, the theory of brake and clutch, how to shift the gears… but it’s been a lot about inner work [too].”
The first day Mirza faced the machine, a Royal Enfield 350 cc, she was intimidated by its size. Understandably. It weighs about 180 kg. “As a part of the script… I play a mechanic… I had to lift the bike to put it on the main stand. Fatima had to do it to. It took a lot of strength, and I had aches and pains for a while. I even strained my wrist. I discovered muscles I never knew I had,” she laughs.
She’s never been more grateful to her fitness regimen. “Yoga and strength training are important if you want to even attempt this,” she says, “Flexibility and strength. Ratna has been doing yoga for years now, so whenever she fell, and she fell a lot, she would spring back [up]!”
Soon, the entire cast got the hang of it. “Once you are on the bike, balance comes naturally. We started riding in 48 hours, but trained for a month and kept riding every chance we got. We had to get used to the traffic, bumps… It’s all about building confidence.”
Process aside, Mirza links taming the motorcycle to your state of mind. “The first thing is to overcome anxiety,” she says, “Balance depends on your heartbeat—if its slower, you balance better. So one needs to just believe.” And of course, the whole cast always wore safety gear
We have to ask here—once all is done and they are riding—does it feel meditative? “You said it,” she responds quickly, “It was meditative. We were in Ladakh, surrounded by infiniteness, feeling extremely finite. There’s a sense of oneness with nature…. I would think that’s how you feel when you fly. It’s an open experience… all the elements are accessible to you. You feel the wind, rain, and terrain… it’s humbling.”
Mirza says the whole adventure of getting atop a bike is different for women. “It’s always been linked to masculine strength. When we get on a motorbike, I feel we are overcoming intergenerational inequality and fear. It’s just so liberating. I think everyone who watches this movie should draw inspiration to [overcome their fears and] pursue their potential. Anything is possible at any age, at any stage. Nothing empowers you more than yourself.”
Feeding a child should be considered a natural act, but it triggers shame and judgment-Dia Mirza
8:16 AM
As she embraces motherhood, Dia Mirza questions stigma around breastfeeding in public; notes lack of safe spaces for new moms who are economically marginalised
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 4, 2021)
Three weeks ago, Dia Mirza and husband Vaibhav Rekhi shared their happiness with the world as they announced that they became proud parents to son Avyaan Azaad Rekhi. She revealed that the bundle of joy had arrived early on May 14, and was since cared for by “tireless nurses and doctors in the neonatal ICU.” As she revels in the new chapter of her life with Avyaan, the new mother is also taking the opportunity to create awareness about breastfeeding.
Admitting that breastfeeding-related issues have become more meaningful to her now, Mirza is keen to highlight the challenges mothers face in nourishing their babies. “I have become more acutely aware of the lack of safe spaces for new mothers, especially if they are socially and economically marginalized. Why have we never [highlighted] how hard it is for underserved mothers to feed their babies on construction sites, farms and roadside stalls without any privacy?”
With World Breastfeeding Week celebrated between August 1 and 7, the actor hopes that the Indian society becomes sensitive to the needs of new moms. The irony of the circumstances is not lost on her — on the one hand, motherhood is glorified, and on the other hand, our society is judgmental of a woman feeding her infant in public. “In Belgium, breastfeeding in public is protected by law, but in India, we need to bring about a systematic shift in societal attitude. Feeding a child should be considered a natural act, but it triggers so much shame and judgment when done in public.”
The situation in rural India is more worrisome, where women don’t have the necessary access to information about reproductive and maternal health. “World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months as infants who are not breastfed are six to 10 times more likely to die in the [early months]. Rural mothers may not have this critical piece of information. It should worry us that India continues to have one of the highest rates of malnutrition and infant mortality.”
It would have been an advantage if I had come into the industry more prepared-Dia Mirza
7:59 AM
Harshada Rege (BOMBAY TIMES; June 22, 2021)
Dia Mirza made her debut in Bollywood with Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein in 2001. Though the film failed to click at the box office then, over the years, it garnered cult status in the romance genre. The actress, who was all of 20 when the film had hit the screens, joined the film industry right after she was crowned Miss Asia Pacific International in 2000, just a year before she began her journey in Bollywood.
Today, she has clocked two decades in an industry that is ever-changing. While she has learnt to adapt to the ways of the film world, when asked what advice she would give her 20-year-old self, Dia says, “When I look back now, I was just so busy doing so much. What I would tell myself is to slow down and take a pause. I would also tell myself to understand what is that you are doing and why is it that you are doing it.”
Talking about what she would do differently at the beginning of her career if she could, Dia added, “I think I jumped into the job very quickly. I had very little time to learn the craft. I learnt most of what I did on the job. I think it would have been a great advantage if I had come into the industry a little more prepared. Today, when I talk to anyone who aspires to be an actor, that’s what I tell them. I urge them to learn as much as they can, spend more time behind the camera, assist somebody if they can and understand every nuance of the storytelling process before they actually jump in front of the camera.”
On the work front, the actress, who was seen in films like Sanju, Thappad and a web show, recently made her debut in Telugu films with Wild Dog opposite Nagarjuna. Meanwhile, on the personal front, Dia and her husband Vaibhav Rekhi, who tied the knot in February this year, are all set to welcome their first child.
We don’t need to be a botanist, biologist, a scientist or an environmentalist to make well informed choices-Dia Mirza
8:36 AM
Actor and green crusader Dia Mirza says even small measures by individuals can go a long way in helping the environment
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 5, 2021)
Actor Dia Mirza has been continuously working to increase awareness about choices that all of us need to make at the macro and micro levels, collectively and individually, to preserve, protect and if possible, restore the environment. On World Environment Day, Mirza, who is the United Nations Environment Goodwill Ambassador and UN Secretary-General’s Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals, and Global Ambassador, International Fund for Animal Welfare, feels the connection between sustainable development and collective well-being has been undeniably established by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Sustainable development is the key to a healthier planet. Environmental degradation and climate change impact each of us. The challenge is not just that subjects like eco-fragility and environmental degradation do not engage enough of us, but that even a pandemic seems not to have woken us up to the urgency of climate change,” she explains.
Perhaps most people think climate issues are too overwhelming to tackle, feels Mirza, adding, all of us can start small. She suggests, “Something as small as segregating your waste, cutting down on single-use plastic, carrying your own water bottle and choosing green products can make a huge difference. We need to not look away from the problem when it is in plain sight. Unless we turn the clock back on climate change, we are headed towards devastation.”
However, while signs of the damage are already visible all around, she says it’s heartening that many people are waking up to the danger. “According to new research by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people concerned about the environment in the past five years, especially after Covid-19 hit. More people are willing to make choices that demonstrate our commitment to restoring the balance of nature,” Mirza adds.
While there has been a significant reduction in air pollution due to a series of lockdowns over the last one year, plastic pollution has risen since 2020 with disposable cutlery, plastic wrappings and disposable masks being discarded.
Talking about how can we help, Mirza says, “It is common sense not to create a problem in response to a problem. We don’t need to be a botanist, biologist, a scientist or an environmentalist to make well-informed choices. So use washable/reusable masks and reduce the usage of plastic wherever you can,” adding, “Last year, I used washable/reusable masks, unless I was travelling. We shopped for vegetables and fruits without plastic packaging, refused plastic bags, carried our own metal water bottles and refused all disposable single-time plastics.”
I have never used my friendships to demand a role in a film-Dia Mirza
8:04 AM
Harshada Rege (BOMBAY TIMES; January 2, 2021)
Dia Mirza is looking forward to the New Year with a lot of excitement and hope. After trying to navigate her way through the industry for years, she feels it’s finally now that she is getting the kind of work that she has always wanted to do. After starring in films like Sanju and Thappad, and her web show, Dia feels this is the 2.0 version of her career. “Yes, it has been a new lease of life. I am determined to push through and let people know that there’s more that I have to offer. The kind of roles that are coming my way and the filmmakers engaging with me, is an indication that I have managed to turn the tide over,” she says. Having been a part of Bollywood for two decades, the actress has many friends in the industry. She, however, says that her friendships are not based on her work associations.
Dia says, “I made friends along the way with people who I have worked with and found common ground with. They are long-lasting friendships, but I have never used that access to demand a role in a film. I keep the work I do and my friendships apart.”
Talking about dealing with the disappointments that came with not bagging the kind of projects she desired to do, the actress shares, “My friends know that there have been phases when I have been frustrated with the lack of opportunities or not getting the kind of jobs that I was aspiring for.”
She further adds, “Ageism is very much prevalent in our industry. The moment you hit 32-33, the kind of jobs you get and the nature of work starts changing. And there’s a lot you need to adapt to, but there are also things that you don’t want to accommodate or adjust to. You need to find your voice and say what you want to without trampling on the fragile egos around. I have never been a part of any camp. I am friends with many good people, and I benefit from their friendship in terms of being intellectually stimulated and learning more about the craft. I have never learnt to work the system, and I don’t think I ever would be able to do that.”
Right from the time Dia joined the industry, the focus has often been on her good looks. She agrees, and says, “It is an impediment. There were so many directors who I would have given an arm and leg to work with, but who haven’t cast me because they said, ‘She is so beautiful.’ And I would turn around and say, ‘No! Why?’”
In the New Year, the actress looks forward to announcing new projects, both as an actor and a producer, and making her debut in Telugu films with Wild Dog. “The Coronavirus pandemic did slow down work, but there are a lot of exciting projects on the cards,” she signs off.
Artistes should be open to working in any language as long as they connect with the story-Dia Mirza
8:05 AM
Dia, who hails from Hyderabad, is all set to make her debut in Telugu films after 20 years in the profession
Harshada Rege (BOMBAY TIMES; December 10, 2020)
Knowing the language made the job easier. Dia shares, “I had learnt Telugu in school, so I can read, write and speak the language. It all came back when I started shooting for this film.” In recent times, the lines between regional cinema and Hindi films seem to be blurring with many collaborations between filmmakers and actors in both the industries on the anvil. “I think that as artistes, we should be open to working in any language as long as we connect with the story. I hope I can do a lot more regional cinema, because I think there’s a lot of interesting work happening there,” she says.
Though in her Telugu debut we will see her opposite Nagarjuna for the first time, she had interacted with the South superstar many years ago. Dia says, “When I was a little girl, I had met him a few times as his sister was a family friend. The last time that I had met him before we started shooting was when I had visited their home 18 years ago. He remembered that interaction, and Amala, his wife, had updated him about all that I had been up to. So, when we met this time around, he asked me a lot of questions about the environment, climate action, and all the stuff that I have been doing.”
Impressed with his massive fan-following and down-to-earth attitude, she says, “I have to say that Nag sir is a true star. I haven’t met a more grounded and earnest human being. He has such a huge fan following, but he is such a simple human being. It’s so wonderful to interact and work with him. It’s nice to see that he doesn’t allow this level of fandom to get to him.”
I have lost a job and not been cast in a part because I look too good. It’s a strange disadvantage-Dia Mirza
8:02 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 7, 2020)
As someone who entered the film industry after winning a beauty pageant, one would assume that actor Dia Mirza would’ve had it easy. But she had to face challenges in her film career, too.
“Any stereotype and pre-conceived notions are not good. The way I look has been a disadvantage for me in my acting profession many a time. I have lost a job and not been cast in a part because I look too good. It’s a strange disadvantage,” she shares.
The 38-year-old, who made her film debut with Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001) after winning the Miss Asia Pacific title in 2000, says, “I may be sounding ungrateful. But because of the colour of my skin I am at a disadvantage. As much as I know and am acutely aware that darker complexioned women have it hard as well. But there is a certain type of cinema I love. I love the thinking cinema but the stereotypes attached to the thinking cinema and women who play those parts are so limiting. But finally things are looking up.”
The year also marks 20 years since she won the title and Mirza says for her it was like an opportunity which would lead to many more. “It gave me a voice, it gave me a platform, it empowered me financially, it gave me opportunities to work. I am still discovering. There is so much more I know about myself than when I was 18,” she explains.
So, if she hadn’t won the beauty pageant, would films still have found her? “I have always loved films. I do believe that given how creative and artistic I have been, I would have found my way into this line of work,” she concludes.
You can’t be on the set and be paranoid about the fact that you might contract Coronavirus-Dia Mirza
7:57 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 4, 2020)
The entertainment industry is almost back on its feet after being brought down to its knees by the Coronavirus pandemic. Shoots have resumed and actors are stepping out to work. And while she admits that it was initially a tough call to go back to work, Dia Mirza says once on set, she was beyond happy.
“When I decided that I was going to get back to work, I obviously made sure that there are protocols in place to ensure highest level of safety. But after a while, you have to let go and just focus on the job. You can’t be on the set and be paranoid about the fact that you might contract [the virus]. I go in there and I can’t tell you the joy it has given me to go back to sets. I just feel like it’s a new life. But you do what you have to do,” she says.
Mirza has begun shooting for a series, and she says even with all the precautions in place, there is a fear in everyone’s mind and that is fine.
“I see how the production crew is working hard to ensure highest level of safety on sets. But even then, when you step out, you say a quiet prayer and you hope that everybody else is also doing their best to ensure everyone’s safety,” the actor-producer shares.
But what she finds baffling is how some people are still roaming around without masks and crowding places. “I find it very disturbing. It’s not just vendors and people in the market who are not wearing masks, but it is very disturbing that who you perceive as educated are also not doing it. It is alarming; I just wish and pray that people will be a bit more responsible. To think of it, everyone across the board has campaigned and advocated for the last seven months the importance of wearing a mask and maintaining physical distancing. And in spite of that, when you see people not wearing mask, it makes you wonder what is wrong with us. What will it take for people to get this simple thing right?” she asks.
I hope this crisis makes us understand the value of freedom-Dia Mirza
8:00 AM
As told to Saptaparna Biswas (BOMBAY TIMES; April 23, 2020)
I moved to this co-operative society, which I currently stay in, when I was just 19 and all alone in this big city. The residents here made sure that I never felt lonely and helped me. They became my family away from home. So, when the Coronavirus lockdown was implemented, my first thoughts were for this family that I have been living with for so many years. Almost 80 per cent of the residents here are senior citizens, who are generally quite independent and self-sufficient. But, in these tough times, I wanted to establish a fully functional strategy that gets them everything they need.
Since I’m also a part of the society’s managing committee, we members have put together a system in place where a vegetable and fruit vendor comes here twice a week. The process of getting essentials is personally supervised by us in order to ensure social distancing is maintained. We keep the area clean and also take turns to water the beautiful garden. Recently, a few of us celebrated one of the member’s 85th birthday, of course, while maintaining the social distancing guidelines, on our floor. These are small things that matter to them and make them feel cared for.
The biggest lesson I have learnt in this time is about the importance of empathy and collaboration. Mindless consumerism and wasteful consumption are probably why we are where we are today. I have been saying this for a while, that we have to take care of nature to survive. I have started an online series of videos to bring more focus on living responsibly. I am the cameraperson, light person, make-up artist, stylist — in short, a one-woman army! I’ve been involved in so much reading, writing and advocacy, that being at home is not a challenge for me. I also give enough time to yoga and meditation.
I hope this crisis makes us understand the value of freedom. Going forward, we need to simplify our lives and have empathy for people and our planet.
My first break came a month after winning when I bumped into Anil Kapoor and Anupam Kher-Dia Mirza
8:00 AM
As told to Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 10, 2020)
Interestingly, Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (RHTDM; right) was not the first film I shot for. It was not even the first film I signed. My first break came a month after winning the Miss Asia Pacific title on December 3, 2000, when I bumped into Anil Kapoor and Anupam Kher outside a five-star in Hyderabad, where I was celebrating my victory.It was awkward as I was in a white saree with the crown on my head. They walked up and introduced themselves. I wanted to scream that I already knew who they were and was a fan of their work. Anil informed that Anupam was going to direct a film (Om Jai Jagadish), in which he would act, and that they were keen to sign me. When I told them that I didn’t know if I was ready for films yet and that my parents might not agree, Anupam volunteered to convince them. Even though we would watch every film that released in the theatres and on Doordarshan, my parents didn’t know much about how films worked. Anupam called them up and assured them that I would be safe and taken care of.
Soon after, I was put into a workshop conducted by Feroz Abbas Khan. Twelve days into it, Anupam informed me that the producer of our film, Vashu Bhagnani, was in a quandary as the leading lady of one of his other films had exited last-minute and the rest of the team had already started filming in Cape Town. He asked me if I would be willing to step in. That’s how, with a four-day notice, I flew to South Africa to shoot for Deewaanapan with Arjun Rampal.
As soon as I landed, I was put in costume and make-up, and sent off to an outdoor location to shoot for the song, “Hum Deewane”. I was clueless about what I was supposed to do and simply followed instructions. I loved to dance so the steps weren’t very difficult and I drew from Arjun’s energy. His (then) wife Mehr Jesia and he had been on the judges panel during the pageant.
I heard the script of my first film after shooting the song. During the shoot, I would bombard my director, Ashuu Trikha, with questions about editing, light angles and lensing. Before I completed the film, I landed RHTDM, which got completed and was released earlier. My first shot for that one was where Reena tells Maddy that she thinks she loves him. It was freezing cold but beautiful. Later, in New Zealand, we were picturising songs for both films simultaneously, rushing through costume changes in-between. By the time we were done, I had enough lessons to last a lifetime.
Dia Mirza roots for a special gift this World Forest Day
8:29 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 21, 2020)
Actor and a voice for causes related to the planet, Dia Mirza has consistently emphasised on the importance of protecting wildlife and forests to maintain environmental balance. She has planted 3,112 trees over the past year reiterating that with less than 25% forest cover remaining in India, one must recognise that forests are one of the most vital contributors to our ecosystem.
The Thappad actor has been planting trees in collaboration with Grow Trees Global on all special occasions. Whether it’s a friend’s birthday, a family member’s wedding anniversary or even the birth of a new baby in her close circle, she chooses to give the gift of nature by planting trees in their name in forest areas across the country.
On World Forest Day, which is celebrated today, she says, “Whether we are breathing clean air, eating food or drinking water, writing in a notebook or building a home, we owe so much to our forests. Forests enable carbon sequestration and they are the providers of all that we need for health, progress and sustenance. We owe most of what we are to our forests.”
Stressing on how afforestation adds to employment opportunities, she shares, “World Forest Day is a reminder that we can all do our bit to secure and protect our forests. All occasions become happier when one knows a gift with a grove of trees is adding tree cover to a forest, giving employment to grassroots and bringing balance to the environment in a special person’s name! This effort has become truly priceless and almost every person who has received this gift has chosen to continue the tradition at an individual level as well.”
Among the many people Mirza has gifted trees and groves to are some famous Bollywood names like Alia Bhatt, Abhishek Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar, Boman Irani, Hrithik Roshan, Salman Khan and Shahid Kapoor.
I derived strength from my parents’ separation 34 years ago-Dia Mirza
8:00 AM
Dia Mirza opens up about her decision to part ways with Sahil Sangha after five years of marriage and why it was imperative to do a film with Anubhav Sinha
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 11, 2020)
Talking to Dia Mirza is like watching a sitcom. Every few minutes, she breaks into peals of laughter, amused by her own mirth, and it's a cue for us to join in. Over the course of the conversation, it becomes apparent that, if not an actress, Dia would have been a life-coach, imparting lessons she's learnt watching trees flower and wither, and children in war-torn regions play cricket. For now, though, the actress is trying to bring about a change through the stories she tells on screen.
Her decade begins with Anubhav Sinha’s Thappad, something Dia finds hilarious for its irony. When she can contain her laughter, she reminds you she's worked with Anubhav earlier in music videos, also Dus and Cash. "But his narrative style was very different back then. There were glimpses of the genius in Mulk and then, I watched Article 15 and decided I'd shoot myself in the head if this man didn't work with me,” she reminisces, adding he didn’t reply and she thought he’d become too big a director. But then she learnt that he was hesitant to approach her for a character. “There was a long gap between Salaam Mumbai and Sanju and people thought I was no longer interested in acting or was being too picky. Also, actresses sometimes ask stupid questions, like their onscreen age or that of their kids and this comes in the way of getting good roles.”
When she finally met Anubhav, he sketched out the gist of Thappad for her and without asking which character he wanted her to play, she gave her nod. “I love Shivani Fonseca because I believe in what she represents but I'm more stoked that Thappad is a part of my filmography,” she avers. Prod her on her character and she says Shivani is someone many women aspire to be because she has found who she is.
Quiz her on the kind of person she is, and Dia points out that she doesn’t believe in holding grudges. “So, I vent, then return to my serene self. I’ve been meditating since 14 years and my mornings are spent in the building garden. Even my home is full of lush greenery, with birds and bees visiting. Otherwise, the city gets to you—so many angry people around, including the media,” she sighs.
Is she hinting at the media frenzy around her separation from husband Sahil Sangha after five years of marriage? Dia is suddenly all serious. “Now every time people write about me, they mention I'm separated. I want to ask them to move on. My privilege as a celebrity doesn't disallow me pain. I derived strength from my parents' separation 34 years ago. I told myself that if I could handle it at four-and-a-half, there’s no reason why, at 37, I wouldn't be able to. Men and women hesitate to take certain decisions because they're afraid, you have to find the courage to believe that this too shall pass,” the actress philosophises.
Talking about parents, hers come from different religious backgrounds. “I was allowed to take my adoptive father’s surname. My birth certificate has a different name. My passport has both my adoptive and biological father's surnames. We are an inclusive society and don't care about religion. It's bizarre to paint everything with the same brush,” the actress asserts, saying they’d celebrate all Hindu festivals with her mother's family and all Muslim festivals with her stepfather's family. “I lost my biological father at nine, but up until then, we celebrated Christmas and Easter too.”
Meanwhile, since she’s from Hyderabad originally, it is a dream come true to work with Nagarjuna in her first Telugu film, Wild Dog. She also wants to produce films that compel the audience to think. "When you believe in your work, money follows,” she says, adding that when she set up her production company, everyone told her she’d gone mad. “No one says that to the actors. They are never too young to produce, no one tells them that your acting career will be over if you get into production,” she signs off.
We are experiencing a world that is polarised by its views-Dia Mirza
8:13 AM
Dia Mirza on why the Kashmir-set drama Kaafir is relevant today
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; June 25, 2019)
While she has been a vocal social activist off- screen, Dia Mirza’s on-screen works have largely been restricted to playing the girl-next-door.
As she makes her web debut with Kaafir, the actor takes on her bravest role to date. the Zee5 show, inspired by a true story, sees her play a Pakistani woman who accidentally crosses the Indian border and is mistaken for a militant. In a chat with mid- day, she explains why the human drama is pivotal in current political climate. Edited excerpts from the interview:
Kaafir is based on a true story. Can you tell us about it?
Bhavani Iyer, who has written Raazi (2018), wrote this story 13 years ago. She met the woman whose story Kaafir was inspired by, and the journalist. Often, we don’t understand what it is for a human being to live in conflict, or what it is to be labelled a militant and be put behind bars. It’s an extraordinary human story. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. We are experiencing a world that is polarised by its views, where prejudices are being reinforced every day.
In a 16- year career, Kaafir is your first bold project. Did this decision stem from the need to challenge yourself?
As an artiste, I have always been hungry for a part like this. When I was offered the role of Kainaaz, I felt immense gratitude that I would live a part that resonated so strongly with me. It has not only been written and directed sharply, but also gave me the opportunity to work with Mohit Raina and child actor [Dishita Jain]. She was extraordinary, so intuitive to every moment.
Did the show help you gain a clearer perspective of the conflict-ridden areas?
Since I do [social work] outside cinema, I have seen reality from a close range — be it the lives of children living in human conflict, or environmental degradation. Telling a story like Kaafir requires empathy and the ability to abandon any kind of reservation. As human beings, we tend to protect ourselves from going into emotional experiences that can cause anguish and pain. Kaafir compels you to face them.
Your production, Mind The Malhotras, is a comedy. How does it feel telling two diverse stories simultaneously?
The OTT platform has opened up a democratic and even playing field. It has given artistes the opportunity to speak to audiences with honesty and without censorship or the pressure of box office.
What’s in the pipeline?
I have signed two assignments and will start filming an ambitious project directed by Nikkhil Advani and written by Bhavani. It will take me to a lighter space.
The time frame between 35 to 45 is treacherous for an actress-Dia Mirza
8:33 AM
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; April 13, 2019)
Dia Mirza returned to films after three years with Sanju (2018), which had her playing Maanayata Dutt. And, now the actress is all set to make her digital debut with Kaafir, which will see her essaying another real-life character that is currently kept under wraps. The former beauty queen has started shooting for it in Himachal Pradesh from where she has been posting pictures. She talks about her web series, how the digital platform is offering exciting roles to women and the problem of ageism in the film industry.
You have been posting pictures of your look from the upcoming web series Kaafir, but there is a lot of secrecy around it...
(Laughs) That’s because we want to unveil the story closer to the launch. Right now, all I can say is that it is a hard-hitting, compelling humane narrative. I feel enriched as an artiste and a human being to have the opportunity to play this part. It’s special as it’s based on a real person. I have watched some stuff that is available on her, but what is more important is to understand the full context of her experience and spend time understanding that.
Do you find it more challenging to play a role based on a real person?
I think the ability to empathise with another person’s experience and go into the trajectory of their journey is challenging. When I posted my character image from Kaafir, I wrote, ‘Your truth is now my truth.’ That is my endeavour, that’s the best I can do and hope for.
Will this be your first outing on the digital platform?
This is the second show that I signed, the first one is Moghuls, which is based on the Mughal empire. It is a massive show directed by Nikkhil Advani; I have a powerful and beautiful part in it. As for Kaafir, Sid (Siddharth P Malhotra, producer) gave me one line of the subject. By the time he finished it, I said yes. It was that compelling. The reason to do these two series is they answer every question that I asked myself and the industry.
It is important for the film industry to rise above ageism. Roles for women need to be better written. It is exciting to see this happening on OTT platforms. Within a span of six months, I was offered two brilliant narratives, which is a sign of good times. I am most excited as an actor, producer, and as a woman to be a part of it. I hope this continues to grow and more parts for women are written.
Kaafir is directed by a woman, Sonam Nair. Does that make a difference in the treatment of the series?
Before I talk about that, I have to tell you that I have done 47 films and this is only the second time I am collaborating with a female director! It reveals how much of a gender gap exists in our industry. I don’t mean to be unfair to men — they come with their own strengths. But there is something so extraordinary, sensitive and meaningful working with these women — (Sonam and Bhavani Iyer, writer). They have a greater and deeper ability to create empathy. Just see the work Zoya (Akhtar) is doing, the way Reema (Kagti) writes, or Alankrita (Shrivastava) works. Meghna Gulzar and Bhavani were such a powerful combination for Raazi. It is good to see them holding their truth; exploring ideas that compel them at a personal level, and not trying to follow some stereotypical idea of what storytelling has to be about.
Do you find any difference between shooting for a film and web series?
For a web series, there is more time to build on the character and discover the story. I will say it is delicious (laughs). That’s because you get a chance to sink your teeth into in, relish it and unravel the layers. Films are an incredible format, but you don’t get that much time. It’s like reading a novella and novel. A novel gives you so much more!
After Sanju, have you signed any films?
No film has come my way that has excited me. For any female actor, the age between 35 to 45 is treacherous. Filmmakers tell me, I am at that awkward age. No parts are written for women in this age bracket, while men at that age flourish and have great careers. They can play 30 till they are 50, but women are not allowed to do that. Interestingly, in the West, women in that age group are at the highest point of their careers. They get the best parts. That’s also because we do not write enough for mature people.
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