Divya Dutta: ‘I still feel like a newcomer, even after working for three decades’ – Exclusive | Hindi Movie News

In a career spanning decades, Divya Dutta has established herself as one of the most versatile and accomplished actors in the Indian film industry. With her nuanced performances and an ability to seamlessly transform into a wide range of characters, she has earned accolades from audiences and critics alike. From her unforgettable roles in films like Veer-Zaara, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and Badlapur to her captivating presence in OTT series like Special Ops and Bandish Bandits 2, Divya continues to surprise and inspire with her artistry.
In this exclusive interview with ETimes, Divya opened up about her role in Bandish Bandits 2, the magic of working with Anand Tiwari, her reflections on a dynamic career, and her aspirations for the future. She also shed light on her approach to challenging roles, the evolving portrayal of women in cinema, and her take on the creative freedom offered by OTT platforms.
What attracted you to join the cast of Bandish Bandits? Were you a fan of the first season? Tell us more about your role and what makes it special?
Well, I think what attracted me to the show was the fact that it already had a season that was stunningly beautiful and mesmerizing. I think in all the shows that one has on OTT, this was one that was such an amazing tribute to Indian classical music and a story so beautifully told by Anand Tiwari. I was an ardent admirer. So, we happened to speak, and it was serendipity when he asked, “Would you be interested in doing season two? And I said, of course. And the way he made that role was really lovely. And I think what an arc that had. And well, I think this role was initially written with having a male actor, but they were contemplating to have a female actor. And because that would probably make a parallel, like a reflection of Tamannaah’s life. And I think we spoke at the right time and he just said, will you do it? And it just worked out. And the beautiful nuances he gave me for Nandini, be it the look, be it her arc, be it her past story, be it her intrigue and her philosophy of music, which and her philosophy of success being entirely different was something very attractive. And the very fact that I had to unlearn a lot to learn that Western classical music and to dive into an absolutely different world was very challenging, exciting. And I think amazing for me. I’m so proud and honored that I could be a part of this one.
How was your experience working with Ritwik Bhowmik, Shreya Chaudhry, Naseeruddin Shah, and the rest of the talented cast?
I couldn’t obviously work with Naseer Saab in this one. But working with Shreya, I had more scenes with Shreya, obviously, because I play her mentor in this one. It was beautiful because it’s a very hardworking and talented girl and a very pretty one at that. And same with Ritwik, supremely talented. And I think when you have such amazing actors around you, it just automatically becomes a synergy and great stuff comes up. And I think Anand Tiwari made sure that he picked up your silences beautifully. And I think that really added so much more to the character. And I’m loving it, getting so many messages and so many calls. And I’m delighted that everyone is watching Bandish Bandits 2 and loving it so much. Watching, of course, binge watching. So, yeah, I mean, it feels great to get that love and to be spoken about for a show that I’ve been an absolute fan of.
You’ve portrayed a wide range of characters over the years. What has been your most challenging role so far?
Well, I think there have been, if there’s no challenge in a role, I don’t think I’d like to pick it up. But yeah, if I have to really say, there was Delhi 6, which was very, very, I had to really push myself beyond my comfort zone because I was very new. Then of course, Bandish Bandits. Then if I may, and now I have done two, three films which are about to come, which really have pushed myself beyond my, you know, comfort zones and, and discovered a new side of me. So I, the point is to find challenge in whatever you’re doing, because only that and only that makes it exciting and interesting and adds that X factor to you.
With a career spanning decades, how do you stay motivated and continue to reinvent yourself?
Well, for me, I think the best takeaway of any role is that you totally, totally give yourself to that role and let the role take over and be very sincere to it. It has to be a very internal thing and you cannot say, being here for years, I know everything. No, you’re a new student in every different class. It’s a different subject. Every film is a different subject and you’re learning that subject, you’re learning that role, you’re getting used to that new atmosphere. So I think now is also the time where there is no demarcation of roles as to what you’re doing. But I’m glad I’m getting more into titular roles. I’ve just done Maa, I did Sharmaji Ki Beti, I’ve just finished a biopic which is based on an army lady, just finished a web show which is again a central role.
Your performances often stand out, even in ensemble casts. How do you approach supporting roles to make them so memorable?
I think it’s not about competing with anyone, everyone has their individual roles and arcs. It’s just that you have to give yourself the focus of just making it as interesting for yourself as possible. Of course, you have a very beautifully written script, you have a great director, but you have to add a little of yourself as well. And what keeps me going also is the fact that I think that feeling of nervousness is very important for me. I need to hear a script and jump on my sofa, that’s very important. I need to look into the mirror and feel, hey, this woman looks different. When I’m excited, that trickles into my audience’s excitement. And I think that’s the reason being here for a good three decades, the best compliment for me is when you are there, we watch a film knowing that it’s going to be a different stuff. I think it’s somewhere I feel very delighted for having made the correct choices in life as much as I can.

Do you find working on OTT content liberating in terms of creative freedom?
Well, I think these are interesting times where we are going through different phases. There’s a lot of experimenting happening. OTT has, I think, opened up doors for beautiful storytelling, which is not just about, like, you’re just not glamorizing the fact. You’re talking about character-oriented leads. You’re talking about stories that are gray. You’re talking about layers. You’re talking, you’re not just saying, OK, and then they lived happily ever after. There’s a story after that. In women’s roles, especially, I think there’s so many layers that have come by that you feel, OK, I can add this. I can add this. Now, actually, the times have come where you don’t really like to play a single shade person at all. You want layers. And that is happening because the audience is open, thanks to OTT, to watch different stuff. There are so many different stories being told, diverse kind of actors coming in. There’s an advent of all your stars coming into OTT. There are actors coming into OTT. There are newcomers coming into OTT. So there’s a democratic kind of a thing where it’s the audience’s choice what they really want to watch. And they are pretty sensitive and observant and intelligent to know what they would enjoy.
What inspires you the most as an artist?
I think what inspires me the most as an artist is the fact that I am in a profession I totally dote on. I am extremely passionate about it and when you do something you extremely love. It’s a motivation of another kind. You’re always constantly pushing yourself from your comfort zones. You’re constantly reinventing yourself. I feel like a newcomer even today. So yes, when you’re interested in doing something you always will keep trying new things. And I think I really enjoy that fact.
You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. Who has been your most inspiring co-star or director?
Yes, I think I’ve worked with some very beautiful people in the industry and I think I’ve worked with the finest talents and to just pinpoint one person, it would be difficult because you know each set you work with, you meet different directors, you meet different actors. Some you get along amazingly well with and you know and some you enjoy their company but and their work and then that’s that but I think I’ve been very lucky that, oh there’s so many people, I can’t even name anyone. Shah Rukh Khan is one of my hot favourites always. I absolutely loved working with him and I wish to work with him again and inspiring to sab hai matlab kitne saare hai. Naseer sahab hai, Shabana ji hai, Amitabh Bachchan hai, kitne saare hai.
Are there any genres or roles you still aspire to explore in the future?
I think I would love to explore more mature love stories. I love the Gulzar school of romance and love and I would love to really do something on those. I think there’s something similar in Bandish but I would love to do something more.

What lessons have you learned from setbacks, and how have they helped you grow as an artist?
Well, I think we all have setbacks, we all fall and we all make mistakes, we all get rejections, everybody. So, the thing is to just keep that positivity on, to get up with full swing because when you really want something, you make that extra plunge, you make that extra effort. And when you really achieve that, it’s a delight, it’s a joy to see how much you worked hard for it. And today, when I look back, I feel when people say, how do you feel when you are successful doing what you do? And I think there’s been a lot of hard work, there’s been a lot of persistence, there’s been a never say die spirit. And yeah, I think that keeps you going.
You’ve been part of stories with strong women protagonists. Do you feel the industry has evolved in its portrayal of women?
Oh yes, the industry is absolutely evolved as per say portrayals of women in the industry. But that also goes when you, that also depends on what kind of story is being told. So if you’re talking about OTT, there’s a lot more experimentation that happens. Even in movies like Laapataa Ladies, even in movies like All You Imagine is Light, you have women protagonists who are so well described and written. So yes, things are changing. Storytelling is changing. Protagonists and females are getting a lot more chunkier part than one would think of.