Dia Mirza opens up on completing 25 years in cinema; says, “I’ve pursued meaning over material”
Actor Dia Mirza reflected on her 25-year journey in the film industry as Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein completed 25 years this month. The actor, who made her Bollywood debut opposite R Madhavan in the 2001 romantic drama, recalled how the box-office performance of her early films affected her career and led to her being sidelined from feature films.
Mirza was 19 when she entered the industry after winning the Miss Asia Pacific International crown in 2000. Although Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein initially failed at the box office, the film eventually gained cult status. Looking back at the challenges she faced during the early years of her career, the actor spoke about the emotional impact of losing opportunities at a young age.
“When my films didn’t work at the box office, I was honestly bunked from feature films. And that can be a huge emotional setback to a young and aspiring actor,” she said.
By 2004-05, Mirza had shifted her focus away from chasing stardom. Instead, she chose to pursue projects that aligned with her beliefs and work with people who valued her contribution. Explaining her approach to selecting stories, she said, “I’ve pursued meaning over material. For me, what really matters and has continued to matter even more progressively through the years is what is the substance that I’m getting behind? What is the reason for telling a story? The why really matters to me,” she said.
Her interest in meaningful storytelling also encouraged her to explore film production early in her career. Mirza became a producer at 24 and released her first independent film as a producer at 26. Through her production house, she backed projects such as Love Breakups Zindagi (2011) and Bobby Jasoos (2014), starring Vidya Balan. Speaking about creating opportunities for herself, she said, “If I’m not going to get a seat at the table, I’m going to build my own table. I am going to create space for what I truly believe in and what I believe I can add value to.”
Mirza also credited her later projects with changing the industry's perception of her as an actor. She pointed to the 2019 web series Kaafir, in which she played Kainaaz Akhtar, as a turning point. Before the series, she often heard that she was being underutilised despite her appearance. However, she said the response changed after the show.
“Up until then, I would hear people say, ‘You’re so beautiful, underutilised, you should be doing more.’ But Kaafir, I’ve not heard it. I’ve not heard it even once,” she said.
Her performance as Manyata Dutt in Sanju (2018) also helped open up new opportunities. “I feel like Sanju was a major turning point. And playing Manyatta, because I think finally it kind of really opened up opportunities that hadn't opened up for a very long time,” she explained.
When it came to choosing roles, Mirza said she had prioritised the depth of a character over screen time or whether she played the protagonist. “I’ve never pursued length. I’ve always pursued depth.” She expressed a preference for layered and flawed female characters, adding that she considered their purpose within the larger narrative before deciding whether a role appealed to her.
Reflecting on the representation of women in cinema, Mirza said conversations around patriarchy and misogyny had evolved over the past 10 to 15 years. She also pointed to filmmakers such as Anubhav Sinha, whose film Thappad addressed these subjects.
As she looked back on her career, Mirza emphasised that an actor's professional journey did not have to be limited by age or time spent in the industry. Offering advice to young performers, she said, “There is no shelf life. You decide how long you want to work for. As long as you are willing to grow and work and learn and bring your best effort and your integrity to a path, you will always work.”
Also Read : Dia Mirza Rekhi on choosing roles with purpose and why action must follow advocacy: “Just speaking up about things is not enough, it should follow through with action”
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