Dia Mirza at 4 years of playing Kainaaz in Kaafir, “Now as a mother, I identify with her devotion to her daughter more deeply” 4 : Bollywood News

Dia Mirza played a challenging role of a mother Kainaaz Akhtar from PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) who accidentally crosses the border and enters India in ZEE5’s 2019 web-series Kaafir. As the critically acclaimed show completes four years, the actress feels she is able to relate to the character more now that she is a mother. For the unversed, Dia became a mother of a boy in 2021.

Dia Mirza at 4 years of playing Kainaaz in Kaafir, “Now as a mother, I identify with her devotion to her daughter more deeply”

The actress said in a statement, “I have travelled a very long distance with Kainaaz, and as I said four years ago, discovering her within was an incredible experience. She is still a part of me, and now as a mother, I identify with her devotion to her daughter even more deeply.”

Dia added that the fundamental message of unity and humanity attracted her to Kaafir. “As an actor, it is important for me to do (the kind of) work that has some substance and meaning, serves a purpose, and brings people together in a positive way. This story was a powerful reminder that no matter which side of the border we may inhabit, we are all human beings who experience the fundamental emotions of love, grief, loss, and hope in the same way,” she said.

In Kaafir, after Dia’s character accidentally crosses the border, she is suspected of being a militant. Sharing her research process to play such a character, Dia added, “While preparing for the role, it was very challenging to read up on individuals who had endured similar injustices. Such parts also give you a perspective of the vastness of human suffering and the pointlessness of hate. Kaafir to me will always represent a beacon that compels us to look at each other in a new light, as human beings and not through filters of religion and nationalities.”

Directed by Sonam Nair and written by Bhavani Iyer, Kaafir also starred Mohit Raina, Umar Sharif, Dara Sandhu and Abhiroy Singh, among others.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Dia Mirza on riding a bike in burkha, hijab and helmet in Dhak Dhak, “It was tough”