Divya Dutta Embraces New Roles and Career Growth Ahead of "Chhava" Release

As the release of her upcoming film Chhava approaches, actor Divya Dutta expresses her gratitude for the numerous titular roles she has been taking on. At 47, Dutta reflects on her evolving career with a sense of contentment. She has had a busy year, with her film Sharmaji Ki Beti making rounds at various festivals and an ongoing project alongside Manoj Bajpayee in Lucknow.

Dutta states, “I am very grateful. I am doing so many titular roles — it feels nice. There’s a gamut of things and I am rather happy.” However, this success comes with the need to be discerning about the roles she accepts. “I take up roles which make me nervous [and say no to] those that aren’t exciting at this stage of my life,” she explains. For Dutta, the first narration of a story is crucial in guiding her decisions. “During the first narration of a story, you get a gut feeling. It’s important that I enjoy the journey of shooting a project with the people I work with. If something bothers me, I refuse. I have said quite a few ‘nos’ in the past, but it has been worth it.”

She credits her current mindset to advice she received from producer Aditya Chopra years ago. “I had signed on to a lot of films, but he [Chopra] told me, ‘Drop half of them’. He said, ‘You should leave behind a legacy and not just do anything’. Now, the audience tells me, ‘When you are in something, we know it will be good’,” she recalls.

Despite her professional fulfillment, Dutta candidly acknowledges a sense of personal longing. “Kuch hota, toh I would have said a companion (is missing). Par woh jab aana hota hai toh aa jaata hai,” she concludes.