A force to be reckoned with

Divya Dutta talks about categorisation of actors, concept of size zero and Hollywood projects

Whether she essays a chief role in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, or an impactful supporting role, in Veer Zaara, Divya Dutta always leaves critics raving and fans applauding.

The actor says the only thing which matters to her is how good or bad the role is and nothing else.

“I don’t understand why anybody would categorise an actor. A role is a role. You could do a supporting role, you could do a lead, and you could do a negative. Why should we categorise an actor then,” Dutta said in an interview with The Times of News. “Nowadays, lead actors are playing all kinds of roles, we don’t categorise them. Irrfan Khan is playing supporting roles too but we don’t call him a supporting actor.”

Dutta, who bagged three awards for her portrayal of Ishri Kaur, the sister of Milkha Singh in the biographical sports drama film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, believes filmmakers are experimenting with fresh ideas because the audience is open to different genres.

“The audience is changing. They are open to new story ideas, more character-oriented stories.” She backs up her arguments, saying, “In the same year, we have Piku, Badlapur and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, which are all doing well. They are not stereotypical films at all, they all are different films.”

As for her new toned look, she modestly credits it to having a fit lifestyle. “I don’t believe in the concept of size zero. But I believe that one should be fit enough to wear anything.” Discussing her regimen, she states, “I stick to a mix of cardio and yoga and go for healthy food. I don’t believe in starving to get into shape.”

With her first international project Hisss making waves, and she being showered with compliments, Divya is on cloud nine. About how the project came her way, Divya says, “Jennifer Lynch, the director of the movie, was in India and I got a call that she wanted to meet me. In an instant, I said yes.”

As for the reports that she’s signed two more Hollywood projects, Divya reveals, “Yes, there are two other Hollywood flicks coming after this. But I can talk about only one of them as I’m bound by a contract.” The film is directed by Fred Holmes, and is titled Heart Land.

The actor will be undertaking her first main antagonist role in Subhash Singh’s directional debut Chalk and Duster, which also stars Shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla.

“I have just finished my film with director Nitin Kakkar of Filmistaan fame titled Ram Singh Charlie. I am also doing ‘Chalk and Duster’ where I play my first ever main villain role.”

The actor will soon be seen in Shyam Benegal’s next film, Subhash Ghai’s comedy flick Hello Darling and Shubho Shekhar Bhattacharya’s Aayee Bala Ko Taal Tu which stars Rishi Kapoor and Ram Kapoor.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2015.

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