Actor Divya Dutta recently revisited her experience of working with Amitabh Bachchan in the beloved family drama Baghban, sharing how the role left her emotionally conflicted during the shoot. In an interaction with the YouTube channel After Hours with All About Eve, the actress opened up about portraying a negative character opposite a legend she deeply admired.
Recalling the early phase of her career, Divya admitted that she initially struggled to separate her on-screen role from real-life emotions. “Mr Bachchan played a pivotal role early on in my career. I didn’t know how to distinguish between reel and real.” Speaking about her character in the film, she added, “I love him, who doesn’t, but in Baghban, I played a very nasty woman”, noting that she was quite young at the time.
The actress went on to describe how her behavior subtly changed as she immersed herself deeper into the role. “Exactly. That is what happened. Earlier, during the initial days, I was my exuberant self, and I would wish him good morning. Happy that I am with Mr Bachchan and I’m shooting with him. It was a dream come true. Then gradually the nasty bit of the role started getting onto me and my good mornings just dimmed away.”
It was at this point that Amitabh Bachchan stepped in with a thoughtful gesture that left a lasting impact on her. “And the sensitive man that he is, he called me and told me that I am not being nice to him in the film. He came to my defence. I told him ‘No sir, I’m just saying my lines’. He didn’t say anything, he was quiet, but what he wanted to say was, ‘Exactly, you are saying your lines, you are not saying it to me, so don’t feel so bad about it.’ And then he pampered me with food, and I was so normal and happy.”
Reflecting on the moment, Divya emphasized how the experience became a learning curve in her acting journey. “After that I got to know how to distinguish between real and reel.”
Directed by Ravi Chopra, Baghban remains one of Bollywood’s most iconic family dramas, exploring themes of aging, family values, and emotional bonds. The film featured Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini as an elderly couple navigating strained relationships with their children. Divya Dutta played their daughter-in-law, opposite Samir Soni, portraying one of the more unsympathetic characters in the narrative. The ensemble cast also included Aman Verma, Suman Ranganathan, Rimi Sen, and Lillete Dubey, with a special extended appearance by Salman Khan alongside Mahima Chaudhry.
Even years after its release, Baghban continues to resonate with audiences, and for Divya Dutta, it also remains a deeply personal milestone that shaped her understanding of performance and emotional boundaries.
Also Read: Divya Dutta: “I was told I look like Manisha Koirala” | Chiraiya
More Pages: Baghban Box Office Collection , Baghban Movie Review
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