Showing posts with label Divya Dutta mother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Divya Dutta mother. Show all posts
My first ever photo shoot, which we thought is the most glamorous one ever, was done by my brother-Divya Dutta
9:06 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 14, 2024)
Actor Divya Dutta, 48, and her brother, Rahul Dutta, 46, continue to share the same kind of bond that they used to as kids. Rahul, who is a doctor, says, “She is two years older than me, but weirdly, she calls me bhaiya. She gets very irritated when I call her didi. I love pulling her leg all the time.”
Divya chimes in: “My first ever photo shoot, which we thought is the most glamorous one ever, was done by him on our terrace. We secretly sent those pictures for a talent hunt and I got selected. I still remember us standing with our heads bowed as our mum asked, ‘Who did this?’”
Ask if there’s something common between the sibling duo, and they say, “writing poetry”. Divya shares, “Rahul writes beautifully and his words are so touching. He has been writing lyrics too. I love the fact that being a guy, he wrote something on gender equality, and I recited it and posted it on social media.”
The actor adds that their love for writing comes from their late mother: “Back in the day, mum and I would recite our pieces and Rahul would record us. And now, his kids do the same, as we watch.”
My mother said, 'Do your part so well that people take notice of you, even among the biggest stars'-Divya Dutta
8:55 AM
Preeti Atulkar (BOMBAY TIMES; July 15, 2024)
Divya Dutta confesses that being an actor is no easy feat. “This is a kind of profession where every day you dig a well. You have to keep up and keep working hard. It's not like, aaj toh mujhe saare critics ne keh diya ki showstealer ho tum, toh ho gayi meri zindagi set," shares Divya. In an interaction, the Dhaakad actress speaks about the importance of women having the freedom to make choices and applauds the changing portrayal of female characters onscreen. Excerpts from a chat:
‘Female characters are depicted with more depth across different age brackets’
Divya feels that female characters are becoming more relatable and multi-dimensional, resonating with viewers at a deeper level. "The shift in audiences' preferences can be attributed to the rise of OTT platforms. Gone are the days when women were confined to singing songs as the leading ladies or playing characters like the hero's mother,” she says, adding, “Nowadays, there is more depth to our roles, irrespective of the age-bracket. They are far more layered and relatable. You're not just a goody-two-shoes or a vamp. And I guess it's a beautiful time to be writing characters and for actors to perform them."
On getting the kind of roles she wants, Divya says, “I took up smaller roles at one point in my career and made my presence felt. Now, I am happy that roles are now being written for me.”
'People should get the opportunity to live without regrets'
A strong advocate of feminism, Divya says it’s all about the freedom to make your own choices. "It’s not about saying I am better," she shares, adding, "Aapko haq hona chahiye ki aap apni zindagi ki choices decide kar sake. I was lucky that my mother stood by me. I feel people should get opportunities to live without regrets and I feel fortunate to be able to make my own choices. Even if they turn out to be mistakes; they are mine."
She recalls, "After Veer-Zaara, I was getting similar roles. After Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, I was offered sisterly roles. Things changed with Badlapur, which got me back to being a commercial actress. So, my journey has been a fun ride."
The actress adds, "Earlier, filmmakers would acknowledge my talent but cast someone else in their projects. After I won the National Award for Irada (2017), I started being looked at as an actor with gravitas."
On being sceptical about playing Shabbo in Veer-Zaara...
Divya, who completes 30 years in showbiz this year, shares that her first tryst with fame came from Veer-Zaara (2004). The actress shares that she had reservations about playing a supporting role. "When I was approached for this movie, I felt that my dream of wearing chiffon saris and dancing in the Alps would finally come true. However, during the script narration, Aditya and Yash Chopra revealed that I would be portraying Shabbo, a friend of Zaara (played by Preity Zinta). I was a bit sceptical. I thought if I played a friend’s role in a Yash Chopra film, then everyone’s going to offer me a friend’s role only. Adi probably read my face and said, 'You will be remembered for this role'. Also, when I confided in my mother, she told me, 'Do your part so well that people take notice of you, even among the biggest stars'. And that's exactly what happened."
The roles that heroines are doing now, I have been playing those for the past 15 years-Divya Dutta
7:52 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; May 18, 2022)
In her almost three-decade-long career, Divya Dutta has come a long way since being that girl from a small town trying to realise her dreams with no backing and zero experience. The actress, who has never shied away from experimenting with genres and roles, is set to play the antagonist in the upcoming film Dhaakad, which hits the screens on May 20. In a conversation with BT, Divya talks about how she is excited that plenty of roles are being written for her today and that she has emerged as a star-actor. Excerpts:
You have been seen in diverse roles all through your career. What prompted you to become a part of this film?
It is an evil role. There are two antagonists in the film — Rohini, the mafia queen played by me, and the other is Rudraveer, essayed by Arjun Rampal. Razy (director Razneesh 'Razy' Ghai) said he wanted me to do that role, and no one else. I just loved the graph of the character and the way he has worked on the look. Besides, the film is a spy action thriller spearheaded by an actress (Kangana Ranaut), and Arjun and me coming together as antagonists made it an interesting combination. I hadn’t done something as mad as this before. Sometimes, such mean streaks would come out of me during the shoot, which was not in the script that I’d wonder where it came from (laughs!). Kangana is a fabulous actor, and I’ve enjoyed every moment that I have shared with her on the screen. I haven’t seen the film yet, but karte waqt, it felt like we were working on a bombshell of a movie. I had a blast shooting for the film. My years of hard work have borne fruits, and I am now getting roles that are written for me.
Over the years, you have gained the reputation for being a formidable actress, and at this point, as you said, you are getting roles that are written for you. Do you feel that, in the past, you didn’t get your due as an actress?
Not at all. In fact, the journey has been beautiful. The role that heroines are doing now, I had started doing those with Veer-Zaara (2004), and I have been doing them for the past 15 years. I didn’t know what was going to happen after that. But the times are good now; amazing roles are being written for women.
What do you think changed that?
It’s a recent phenomenon with OTT; it changed a lot of things. For a long time, we had been star-driven about many aspects and following a formulaic approach, which changed in the past five years. Now, the audience is expecting diverse content. In that given space, female characters have got a lot of layers. Pehle woh good girl ya bad girl hoti thi, now we can see a lot of grey characters. Personally, I can’t thank my mother enough for guiding me so well, especially when I didn’t have any backing. She said, “No one is going to make a film for you, so you have to prove that you are a good actor. Go out there, give that X-factor, make them notice you and write roles for you.” It’s so amazing that she has been proven right. It’s been an enriching journey to carve my own path. You do fall a few times, but it’s great when you can look back and smile when your hard work pays off.
OTT has also changed the way we view superstardom...
How many superstars do we have today? Stardom is not consistent, and it keeps changing with the box-office numbers. Besides, no one is chasing superstardom anymore, except in films. OTT is such a democratic medium that a superstar, a good actor and a newcomer are in the same space and frame. A twitch of a finger decides what you want to watch. What feels nice is to be called a star-actor. I always wanted to be called that. Yeh bahut kam hota hai, aur auraton mein toh bahut hi kam hota hai.
Apart from the current OTT space, would you consider Veer-Zaara as a turning point in your career?
Yes, it happened with Veer-Zaara. I remember being extremely apprehensive about appearing in the friend zone in a Yash Chopra film. I wanted to be in those chiffon sarees dancing to beautiful songs, but Adi (Aditya Chopra) said that when you look back, you’ll be happy that you did Veer-Zaara. I trusted his conviction. When I got out of the film’s premiere, I was mobbed. So, in an unconventional way, I was actually re-launched by Yash Chopra.
But the fear of getting typecast started hounding me as I was inundated with similar offers — a vivacious Punjabi woman. After sitting at home for a year, I got Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Delhi-6 (2009), in which I played Jalebi, a non-Punjaban. I realised that there are two kinds of directors — one who sets examples by having a different vision and the other who follows them. So, I chose to work with directors who could visualise me differently. I love it when directors say, ‘Tu hi karegi!’ Their faith excites me like a child and pushes me to do much more.
I was paralyzed. I know what Deepika (Padukone) meant when she spoke about depression-Divya Dutta
7:47 AM
Actor Divya Dutta talks about the agonizing grief of losing her mother, and what it taught her about herself and life
Nona Walia (TIMES LIFE; March 26, 2017)
What made you pen a part-biography on your mother?
I felt like celebrating her. That was part of my healing process after losing her. From the men in my life, to rejections at work my mom knew it all. Writing about her came from within. She was my mother, best friend and then she became my daughter. There was so much I wanted to write about her. She believed in me, my dreams. She never judged my life. She loved me unconditionally. Even though I was good in studies, she allowed me to pursue my dreams. She stood with me every step in my life. She never pushed me into becoming a doctor. She was a wonderful single parent. Losing her was like losing my whole world.
How did you deal with your loss?
The grief was overwhelming. I was paralyzed. I know what Deepika (Padukone) meant when she spoke about depression. The last one year has been the toughest in my life. To heal, I knew I had to feel my life with her all over again, and the best way was to write all my memories with her. There were days I would just keep crying. In fact, I still cry almost everyday.
What have you learnt from her?
My mother was an Iron Woman. I'm a very sensitive person and she was my strength. She stood by my choice of career and my decision not to get married. She never complained that I didn't take the conventional path. She would express her emotions creatively; her outlet was poetry. There was nothing that she couldn't handle. I learned a lot from her to believe in myself, help me find the voice within me.
What is happiness to you now?
I have changed. My whole worldview has changed. There's a new practical me that's taken over. I have learnt to take things as they come. You cannot plan life. I take each day as it comes. I don't fret over the small stuff anymore. But trust doesn't come easy. I'm learning to live again and making some new rules on how to be happy in the 'now'.
How do you handle drawbacks?
I've tried to develop a coping mechanism over time. Last month, I was shooting and I broke down in the vanity van. I called for the shot and I drowned in my work. There are days when life is a daze. My way of handling the bad in life is to: write, act, personally allow myself to feel deeply. My desire for personal strength is high at the moment. Everyday, I try to build on my personal strength. Basically, it involves training your mind; it's a continuous process.
Is there anything you'd like to change in 2017?
I want to be less sensitive and more chilled out. I want to be light-hearted. Life is too short to be serious. I also want to be more diplomatic.
Where are you right now professionally?
I have been lucky to get the freedom to do different things. You have to wait for what you deserve. I'm experimenting with a negative role in my next movie. I love discovering new layers within myself as an actor.
How do you see yourself evolving?
I've always been quite vulnerable, even childlike, some may say. I enjoy little things. Right now, I also want to focus on people around me who are the source of my strength.
How important are love and relationship in your life?
Very important. But you need a partner who understands you. I have dated men. You learn by trial and error. Marriage is over-estimated. If marriage happens, it is good, otherwise, you really need a good companion. And that can be someone who stands by you throughout your life.
The life lessons that you think are important...
Life moves in patterns. The patterns will keep repeating till you learn those lessons. I used to be sacred of change. It always disoriented me. Now, there are so many changes happening all around me, I have no option but to accept them. That's life. Keep changing and adapting. You have to learn to be a survivor. Life is a continuous journey, and it doesn't have a destination. Understanding that helps.
Divya Dutta's book to be unveiled by Amitabh Bachchan on February 9
7:47 AM
DNA (February 3, 2017)
Divya Dutta has completed her book Me And Maa which is based around her mother and other memoirs.
The book will be unveiled by Amitabh Bachchan on February 9 at a gala event. Divya says, “It’s going to be memories of my journey with my mother and how it impacted my career. The book is about a mother-daughter relationship and is emotional, honest and very simply told. I haven’t hidden anything in it.”
Divya Dutta pens book on her mother; titled Me And Ma
7:50 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 14, 2016)
Divya Dutta is the latest B-townie to turn author. The actress has been busy penning a book on her mother, Dr Nalini Dutta, who passed away on January 10. The book, Me And Ma, will be brought out by a leading publishing house.
"Mum and I shared a long journey which started with her bringing me up and ended with her sitting on my lap and me consoling her through her illness. This time she is not here to guide me so the book, which is almost autobiographical, is taking time. Mum was a poet too so I have to live up to her high standards," the actress points out.
After some prodding she agreed to share an excerpt: "The first ever memory of you was this beautiful young woman holding my hand and teaching me how to take my first step. Yes, I fell many times but that charming smile made me want to get up again and hold your finger in a tight grip, never wanting to let go of that hand.
In my kindergarten days I remember you and dad used to come to pick me up and that used to be my happiest time. To see you both there to fetch me... My secure world. Once dad as a joke made you hide when I came out of school just to see my reaction. I was devastated! My whole world came crumbling down, I felt so lost. Obviously you didn't expect this reaction and came hugging me tight.. And I hugged you for dear life. Then. Until now ...Maybe forever..."
I've lost my best friend-Divya Dutta
7:20 AM
Divya Dutta remembers her mother, Dr Nalini Dutta, who passed away on Sunday
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 14, 2016)
Having just finished with the chautha, Divya Dutta is inconsolable. The actress lost her mother, Dr Nalini Dutta, on Sunday and admits that it's hard to imagine life without her.
"My day always started with 'Good morning momma' no matter where I was. I've lost my best friend. My father passed away when I was seven, mom single-handedly brought up my brother Rahul and me. She was a civil surgeon posted in rural areas. We went through some tough times but she gave us a beautiful life. She was my support and I was her's," says Divya in a voice choked with emotion.
She's just seen the audio-visual she put together encapsulating the many treasured moments they've shared, with pictures of her mother holding her little finger when she was a baby to a reversal of roles and her sitting in Divya's lap. "The memories are flooding in. Mom was a friend to all her friends, feeding everyone who came home. "Her aloo tikkis were famous," Divya reminisces.
She also recalls driving down from Delhi after having missed the train. "I had just learnt driving and wasn't sure I was up to the task. But sitting besides me, mom made me take the wheel and gave me the confidence to make the trip," she says, eternally grateful to her for standing by her like a rock when she told her of her decision to become an actress. "Acting is my passion but everyone was against it. But mom insisted that her daughter would do what she wanted, no matter how brilliant a student she was."
She admits that she was always a silly and sensitive child, her mother was her strength, always telling her, "Baby, aisa hota hai, yeh nahin, na sahi. Don't worry, I'm with you, we'll get out of this together." She wonders today who she will turn to now? Who will be by her side? Who will hold her hand?
Ironically, Nalini was a brilliant doctor, so is Rahul. She underwent a bypass last November but developed an infection in the stitches which got bigger and more painful with each passing day. "I pointed it out to the doctor but since she was diabetic, he told us to wait. Finally, I took her to a plastic surgeon who cleaned and stitched it up, but obviously the infection remained because she developed multi-organ failure and was put on the ventilator three days before the end," says Divya, remembering how her friends told her to let her mother go while the doctors informed that she had only a few hours left. "I sat by her side, looking at the monitor dip. It was like watching a movie. Suddenly, she was gone. Maybe it's destiny but I'm disappointed with the medical practise. It's become so commercial. It was a small infection, it could have been addressed earlier. Now, my best friend has left me forever," Divya cries softly.
Nalini used to write poems and throw away the pages. Divya and Rahul picked them up and compiled two books of them. Today, a line from one of her mother's poems drifts into her mind...
Main sitaron se baatein karti hoon,
Main aksar sitaron se baat karti hoon,
Kabhi kabhi unse pooch leti hoon,
Kya tumhari tarah aasmaan ke andheron mein chamak paoongi?
Zindagi ki iss seher mein kya kabhi timtimaoongi?
Tabhi ek sitara toot jaata hai,
Meri gumnaami ki tarah kissi andhere mein...
Door kahin door kho jaata hai...
Phir bhi...
Main aksar sitaron se baatein karti hoon...
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