Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; May 22, 2018)

Six years ago, Diana Penty won over audiences with her convincing portrayal of the shy and meek Meera in the Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone-starrer Cocktail. But much to everyone’s surprise, she didn’t do films back to back. Speculations were rife was that she was tying the knot with her diamond businessman beau Harsh Sagar. Finally, in 2016, she had her second release, Happy Bhag Jayegi (HBJ). Last year, she was seen in Lucknow Central. As the lissome lass gears up for her fourth cinema outing, Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran, we catch up with her for a chat. Excerpts… 

Many newcomers would make the most of a hit debut. But you’ve had just three releases in five years...
There are multiple reasons. After Cocktail, I took my time trying to find my next project. I was unsure of which films I wanted to do. Also, I didn’t know how my life was going to change after my debut film. There were a few things that took me time to get used to. After that, I started reading scripts and came across HBJ. I thought it would be a nice challenge to break away from my earlier character of Meera. I wondered to myself if I could play Happy in HBJ who was the complete opposite of my real-life persona. She was a loud, moohfat girl. I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. I saw it as a challenge. But director Mudassar Aziz had faith in me. It took me a while to find that second film which was perfect for me. After that, I signed a few more movies. Now, I’ve got my momentum (smiles).

Were you also being choosy?
I don’t wish to be too choosy. I want to do cinema that interests me, not something that I’m not passionate about. Why do it and waste other people’s time? Some people say a few films are good for visibility, but it’s better to do work that you genuinely believe in and are passionate enough to want to be a part of. I took that route which I’m 100 per cent sure of. I guess it’s a personal choice.

What appealed to you about Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran?
The script is tight and pacy. It engrossed me so much that I was turning pages at a great speed. I thought that the thriller is so good at the script level, it would get only better on screen. I play a strong female character in the male-dominated film. I was getting an opportunity to tell people a chapter that changed our history. I’m a proud Indian and after reading the script, I knew I had to be a part of it.

Is your character based on any real-life person?
If you ask director Abhishek Sharma, how much is fact and how much is fiction, he’d tell you that he’s stuck to facts as much possible. However, most characters are fictitious due to security and other reasons. Telling anyone anything at this point would be giving away the spoilers.

What kind of prep did you have to do?
I have some action scenes in the movie. It took a while to prepare for them as I had to train in kickboxing. As for the other aspects, Abhishek had done so much research that he knew the subject inside out. The nuclear tests were classified and had to be conducted when the CIA was not watching. The common knowledge was that the tests took place and sanctions were imposed on India. I got to know a lot more during the making of the film. When I asked Abhishek for a reference point, he suggested I should watch movies like Zero Dark Thirty, as it was not only a great reference, but also had the woman playing a central character. I made a list of women playing action leads in other movies and observed their body language.

How was it working with John as an actor and a producer?
This was the first time I actually met him. He’s great to work with as an actor but I also realised that he’s one of the best out there as a producer, too. He knows exactly what he wants and will give his 200 per cent to everything. If he takes up a movie, he’ll make sure nothing passes till it’s absolutely right. As an actor, you feel you’re in safe hands. John has his credibility about being particular about content and you’re assured that it will be a quality product. He really knows what he is doing as a producer.

You have Happy Phir Bhaag Jayegi lined up next with Sonakshi Sinha. Why would you do a two-heroine sequel after you’ve been the leading lady of HBJ?
At the end of the day, it all boils down to the story. The plot demanded it. It’s bigger and better. It makes me feel proud that I’m passing the baton to Sonakshi. Mudassar has outdone himself. Very few family films are romcoms; Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi is a family comedy for the entire audience. I couldn’t stop laughing during the shoot.

What kind of films do you see yourself doing in the coming years? Do you have a career strategy?
For me, it’s all about the story. I feel that is the heart and soul of a film. Performance is important, yes; but you have to set the story in place for the performance to come into the picture. You can’t give the audience a mediocre film. The story has to be riveting for viewers to go and watch it in theatres.

When you weren’t doing films after Cocktail, reports were rife that you were getting married to your beau — diamond businessman, Harsh Sagar.
I never disappeared. People presumed and I never bothered to clarify as I didn’t pay attention to such news. When my second film released, they realised they were wrong. There is no point justifying because people will say whatever they want to.

But there were also rumours that you had broken up till you were spotted again with Harsh earlier this year.
I don’t see why we need to discuss that. I’m an extremely private person and so is he. I feel it’s not right to drag someone into this. What we do in our spare time is of no consequence. What I do in my workspace is what matters.

Actress Diana Penty admits she's dating and took a three-year break to travel and take pictures
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 10, 2015)


In 2012, she debuted with Homi Adajania's Cocktail, also featuring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone and then, despite the positive feedback, Diana Penty chose to take a three-year sabbatical. She will make a comeback to the screen with Mudassar Aziz's Happy Bhag Jayegi, opposite Abhay Deol.

She reasons that she wanted a film which would match the standards set by Cocktail. And since she didn't come from a film background, it took some time getting used to being in the movies and everything that comes along with it. "The sabbatical helped. I have grown as a person and am more comfortable in this space now," says the model-tuned-actress. "No regrets, everybody takes their own time. May be I have taken a little longer than the others, but I wouldn't do a film unless I was happy about it. Then, I'll give it my 100 per cent."

She divulges that she was busy with the world of fashion, exploring exotic countries like Israel, South Africa, and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, besides taking frequent trips to familiar Goa. She also adds that she's dating a jeweller, Harsh Sagar, but insists that the marriage rumours are untrue. "I assume these reports had surfaced because I haven't done anything after Cocktail. Going by that logic, if I'm doing a film now, we can safely assume that I'm not getting married," she chuckles.

Happy Bhag Jayegi is a situational comedy about a Punjabi bride who runs away to Pakistan. "It's different from Cocktail which makes it interesting for me," says Diana. "My strength lies in prepping. I'm not someone who can just walk onto the set and perform. I'm doing workshops to get my Punjabi diction," adds the actress.

She's excited about working with Abhay, pointing out that she can relate to the roles he chooses. "They are more content driven than commercial, and that's my space as well. I wouldn't want to do anything frivolous," she asserts.

Besides film, Diana's passionate about food, travel and photography. "I actually live to eat. One day, I'll open my own restaurant or do something related to food, though I can't cook to save my life," she admits with a laugh.

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; May 20, 2014)

Bollywood celebrities seem to be quite good at keeping their relationship status under wraps. Even though the curiosity surrounding these stars’ love lives refuses to die down, many have managed to be circumspect.

Of course, several love affairs have been reported, but these are still passed off as rumours and the stars have chosen to not say anything about the same.

The ’90s song, Chupana bhi nahi aata, jatana bhi nahi aata, perhaps best describes their situation. In an industry where very few have dared to openly talk about their relationship, there is no dearth of instances where stars have kept quiet about their personal life.

We give you the lowdown on some of the secret affairs in Bollywood.


Alia Bhatt
The 21-year-old actress is apparently dating her school friend, Ali Dadarkar. She has been linked to many Bollywood actors, but sources say that Alia is still in love with Dadarkar. Of course, Alia continues to maintain silence about her love life.


Varun Dhawan
The actor is rumoured to be dating childhood friend Natasha Dalal. The two have been spotted together frequently; recently they were spotted at a screening of his film. However, he has not revealed anything about his relationship so far.


Ileana D’Cruz
Ileana D’Cruz, who was last seen in the film, Main Tera Hero, is apparently dating Australian photographer, Andrew Kneebone. Both of them were spotted partying together at a Bandra hotspot. But the actress has not acknowledged her alleged relationship with Andrew.  


Sonam Kapoor
The style diva is allegedly dating entrepreneur Sahir Berry. Sonam may be the garrulous type, but the actress has stopped discussing her personal life now. She is known to not entertain queries about the same.


Saqib Saleem
The Hawaa Hawaai actor is also said to be in a relationship with someone from outside the industry. In a bid to not rile his girlfriend, Saqib apparently made sure that he did not get linked with any of his co-stars.


Tiger Shroff
The actor, who is set for his Bollywood debut with Heropanti, is apparently in a relationship with a foreigner. However, he doesn’t like talking about the relationship. The actor is said to be glued to his phone as he keeps “her” updated about all happenings in his life.


Amit Sadh
The Kai Po Che! actor is apparently seeing stylist Niharika Khan. She is said to be Amit’s ‘good friend’, apart from being his stylist. Earlier on, he was open about his love life, but he has now clammed up.


Diana Penty
The actress, who made her debut in Cocktail, is apparently dating Mumbai-based diamond merchant, Harsh Sagar. There was also talk about the two getting hitched but the actress has never talked about it.


Shahid Kapoor
The actor, who made a comeback with R Rajkumar, seems to be Mr Popular among the ladies these days. Recently, Shahid was linked with Sonakshi Sinha. Then came news about his late night outing with another actress, Jacqueline Fernandez. The latest news has it that the actor is seeing close friend Meenal, with whom he was recently spotted. Interestingly, Shahid was once very vocal about his relationships — this was back when he was dating Kareena Kapoor — but now he prefers to stay quiet about it.

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; April 25, 2014)

If sources are to be believed, model-turned-actress Diana Penty, who starred in the film, Cocktail, is all set to tie the knot. The actress has been dating Harsh Sagar, a Mumbai-based diamond merchant, for quite some time now and sources say that they are now planning to take their relationship to the next level. “Diana and Harsh are deeply in love and they are all set to get hitched. Both of them are excited about their marriage. Harsh has been a pillar of strength for Diana all through,” says the source.

Incidentally, Harsh has another Bollywood connection to boast of: he is filmmaker Chandra Barot’s newphew (sister’s son).

Diana remained unavailable for comment.

DNA (April 1, 2014)

Diana Penty made her debut in Cocktail opposite Saif Ali Khan. The 27-year-old had an interesting role in the film and got a thumbs up from the critics as well as the audiences. However, two years later, she hasn’t signed her second film.

An insider says, “Diana is dating a richie rich businessman and he doesn’t want her to act in films. He has told her that she can continue with her modelling career but he doesn’t want her romancing heroes on the screen. They are very serious about each other and Diana is happy to sacrifice her film career at the altar of love.” It has been reported that she is dating Harsh Sagar, a diamond merchant.