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Divya Dutta: ‘No one shows how women downplay themselves’

Updated on: 01 July,2024 11:28 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Priyanka Sharma | priyanka.sharma@mid-day.com

Leading Tahira’s maiden feature Sharmajee Ki Beti, Divya on how female gaze was required to explore the stories of women’s ambitions and single moms

Divya Dutta: ‘No one shows how women downplay themselves’

The actor plays a Patiala-born woman grappling with loneliness in Mumbai

When Tahira Kashyap Khurrana began narrating Sharmajee Ki Beti to Divya Dutta, the actor realised something—no character in her 30-year career unearthed the crazy side to her. In the role of Kiran Sharma, a Patiala-born woman who feels lonely and unseen in the bustling city of Mumbai, the actor found a character who is whimsical and wise. “Kiran has a thing for fantasising. In those fantasies, Tahira made me do crazy stuff. For instance, once Kiran fantasises that she is a superwoman saving someone,” laughs Dutta.


Many would agree that in the Prime Video movie, also starring Sakshi Tanwar and Saiyami Kher, Dutta’s track has a lasting impact. She saw it first-hand at the film’s première last week. “I was astounded to see my male friends crying. A friend said, ‘I want to give you a tight hug.’ We all need that niceness and warmth.”


Director Tahira Kashyap Khurrana with Divya Dutta
Director Tahira Kashyap Khurrana with Divya Dutta


While talking about building her character, Dutta cannot emphasise her first-time director’s prowess enough. “Tahira narrated it with such intricate details that I felt I was watching the film. You always feel there is something that can be added or tweaked in a script. But this one was perfect the way it was. There was the excitement and nervousness of working with a new director; it is their vision you follow and their hand you’re holding. Tahira exudes a lot of confidence. While working, she’d know exactly what she wants. I love holding her hand, which I must say is a strong one.” 

What also made Kashyap the perfect fit were the lived-in experiences she brought to the story about five women. “Usually, I would say, ‘Let’s not talk about male and female directors. Let’s talk about a good or bad director.’ But in this case, because we’re talking about a subject like periods, I think Tahira was the best [fit]. Even today, when we buy a sanitary napkin, the chemist covers it with a piece of newspaper. The film talks about a single mother, about how women downplay themselves in a relationship. Sometimes, an ambitious, working woman has to downplay herself. No one shows it. It was so enriching to see such diverse characters in a frame.”

Like her character, Dutta too moved to Mumbai from Punjab, albeit 30 years ago. Over the years, she has maintained a balance of mainstream and unconventional projects. She reflects, “When you come to the industry, you think you will take the world by storm. But then reality sets in. A strong support system matters in such times. In my case, it was my mother. She’d tell me, ‘Just add the X-factor to yourself. Then they will write [strong] roles for you.’ I see that happening now.”

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