In New Delhi, on March 25, Divya Dutta, with a three-decade career and numerous critically acclaimed performances, says she is "very stubborn" about her choices and enjoys challenging the industry's expectations for her.
The actor, known for her roles in films like "Veer-Zaara", "Delhi-6", "Badlapur", "Manto", "Special 26", and "Heroine", believes that staying relevant requires constant exploration of new territory.
"I am very stubborn, and that's essential for a happy actor. It's about your choices and what you want in life. I want to grow as an actor, and I want to keep growing. It's been 30 years, and I believe I'll continue to do so. I can't do anything else," Dutta stated.
Dutta explained that she often faces resistance from the industry, which tries to confine her to specific roles. However, she embraces these challenges and uses them to her advantage.
"Throughout my career, in films like 'Delhi 6', 'Veer Zara', 'Stanley Ka Dabba', and 'Badlapur', I've tried to add depth to my characters. People really appreciate that," she added.
The actor is currently starring in "Chiraiya", which is available on JioHotstar. In the show, Dutta plays Kamlesh, a contented and traditional wife who finds her world turned upside down when her younger sister-in-law reveals she has been subjected to marital rape.
The series is set in Lucknow and is a Hindi adaptation of the Bengali series "Sampurna" (2022). It is based on an idea by Soumyabrata Rakshit, created by Divy Nidhi Sharma, directed by Shashant Shah, and produced by SVF Entertainment.
The 48-year-old actor stated that the show is not about blaming anyone, but rather about societal conditioning.
"It's more about societal issues than anything else, and the show is simply trying to tell a story. It's trying to show us that we've been conditioned to certain beliefs that need to be challenged," she said.
The actor explained that the show aims to shed light on issues that have long been unspoken in Indian households.
"We're often taught that 'a woman's happiness depends on her husband's approval'. Because of this, many people don't even ask for consent. Secondly, we don't seek the consent of our partners. I believe it's important to ask, 'Is this okay for you?'"
"Two people have decided to spend their lives together, and mutual respect is essential. Finally, communication is key. There should be open dialogue between a man and a woman," she added.
When asked about the portrayal of women in cinema, Dutta said that society and cinema are always reflections of each other.
"We can't say that cinema created these beliefs. It's up to each of us to choose what we want to believe. If you watch violent films, does that mean you'll become violent? If you watch action films, does that mean you'll act in that way? No, you choose what you want to take from the experience," she explained.
"So, I believe it's up to individuals to take what they want from the show," Dutta concluded.
Dutta shared her experiences playing the role of Kamlesh, a character she has observed in real life.
"Kamlesh is a happy woman who is content with her life. She has a loving husband and supportive in-laws. This is what many women aspire to," she said.
Dutta emphasized the importance of showing Kamlesh's lack of awareness regarding consent in marriage.
"The introduction of the concept of consent was a challenging aspect of the role. It required me to portray a woman who is unaware of her rights and the importance of seeking consent," she added.