Talktime | Divya dutta
She is known to play differing roles seamlessly. After helming Manto, Dutta is back on screen in a new avatar, as Anil Kapoor’s wife in Fanney Khan. MUSBA HASHMI chats up the actor
What is your role in Fanney KhanIJ
I play Anil Kapoor’s wife Kavita in the film. She is a wonderful person who acts as a bridge between the father and the daughter. She works with dedication and is the backbone of the house. She is a protective mother who does not want any untoward thing to happen to her daughter. At the same time, she is encouraging and loving. She is a friend to both the husband and daughter and guides the husband to do the right thing. Though she is demure, she speaks her mind when needed.
What attracted you to play Kavita in the filmIJ
The script and my role appealed to me and the presence of our producer Rakyesh Mehra, who always gives me efficient roles. Playing opposite Anil Kapoor are some factors that made me sign this project.
How was it to share screen space with Anil Kapoor for the first timeIJ
It is a very positive feeling to work with him. He is a very enthusiastic person and that air of ‘Okay I know it all’ doesn’t come from him. He does things naturally. He is ever ready to know new things and he is always excited, nervous and child-like on the sets. He took a lot of interest in my on-screen look and the way I portrayed my character and it is really nice to have a co-actor like him.
How difficult is it to get into the skin of different characters for your filmsIJ
It is amazing that I had the opportunity to play these characters and put myself in these various roles, be it a bold one like Kushwant Kaur in Manto or a sweet one like Shabbo in Veer Zara. Every person has a different life and to peep into their life and play them is a great experience. All I have to do is feel those roles and perform wholeheartedly.
How do you define acting and what is your approach to thatIJ
Acting for me is feeling a certain character that you are supposed to play and just be them for the time I am on the sets because that becomes your world and life. It is a beautiful little life you live for that limited time and live it to its best. I don’t act and I don’t like the word acting at all because I think it is more of a feeling of what you are doing and what comes from your co-actors and other people on the sets.
Apart from acting, what keeps you busyIJ
I write a lot. I write columns and I am writing my next book after Me and Maa, it will be out next year. I attend various events and engage myself in motivational talks.
What does success means to youIJ
It is when I am inherently happy with myself and satisfied with my work and did what I love to.
What are the pointers that you keep in mind before choosing a projectIJ
I always go with my gut feeling. I decide intuitively whether I want to do a project or not. I decide whether I will enjoy doing my work or not.
Which genre would you like to exploreIJ
I have explored quite a few but I want to do more of romantic roles, comedies and action-packed roles and films.
Many actresses have spoken on nepotism in the industry, what is your take on thatIJ
I think everyone has their own journeys. You can get one or two projects but ultimately the audience has to decide whether they want you or not. If you see the top actors in the industry they are not from the film background be it Shah Rukh Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. They are not subjective, they all have made their ways in the industry and have done so beautifully in their lives.