The beautiful and talented Divya Dutta was all smiles as Bollywood Hungama exclusively met her at her beautiful residence to talk about Sharmajee Ki Beti. The interview was conducted on Thursday, a day before its release on Amazon Prime Video. However, the premiere took place on Wednesday and the feedback made Divya confident of its success. The actress spoke not just about this film but also a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Divya Dutta ECSTATIC with the response to Sharmajee Ki Beti; opens up on star fees and entourage: “I have done some films free of cost. That’s because those films needed to be made and that was only possible if I didn’t charge”
What feedback did you get from the screening of Sharmajee Ki Beti?
I have never seen men cry like this in my scenes. It was beautiful! I saw protective men out there who said ‘Yaar, usko (Parvin Dabas; who plays her husband) main maarunga pakad ke!’ Hence, it felt heartening to see everyone relating to this film. I am elated.
Besides the touching scene, the film is replete with clapworthy and funny moments, especially the track about the girl not getting her periods…
Yes, those young girl scenes elicit a great response. But what surprised me was the reception to my fantasy scenes. I saw people clapping in the murder sequence. I was like ‘Yeh apne husband ka murder imagine kar rahi hai aur kisko yeh dekh ke itni khushi ho rahi hai?’ (laughs)! Nevertheless, it was quite a hilarious experience!
You play the role of a bored, lonely housewife. Was there anyone around you that you took inspiration from to play the role?
There are so many people like Kiran Sharma, but I couldn’t pinpoint anyone. Also, the role was so well-written that I knew how I would want to portray her. Tahira Kashyap Khurrana was also clear that hum yeh waala sur rakhenge.
Is there any scene in the film that stands out for you?
Often, when you see your work, you wonder ‘Kaash yeh scene main thoda sa better kar deti’. But I personally and genuinely liked the sequence where she goes looking for her husband. It took my heart. I have conveyed 3-4 emotions together – there’s vulnerability, there’s hurt and also there’s anger. It’s difficult to shoot for such scenes. But when your director knows what she wants, it makes half of your job beautifully done.
It is surprising that she doesn’t confront her husband and runs away after knocking on the door. Was this always in the script or was it improvised?
This is how it was written in the script. Often, there’s something you want to tweak in the script. This particular script was an exception.
Many male filmmakers have made lovely films about women. But when a female director is at the helm of affairs, do you think it makes a difference? After all, the kind of things we have seen in this film are novel and yet very relatable…
I am averse to the idea of differentiating between a male and a female director. For me, it is the director, regardless of their gender. What matters is their perception of a subject and how sensitive they are to it. I also feel that a lot of Tahira has been reflected in the script be it her zest for life, her fiery spirit, sense of humour, etc. It’s all sprinkled in the film beautifully. I think that’s her individuality which comes out beautifully. And yes, she being a woman knows those nuances far better than a man would. You are right there. Be it her take on periods, women showing her manicures as injuries or my character who wants to be held by the husband and is putting her blouse a little down.
Do you feel frustrated or impatient when such a fine film takes so long to release?
Tahira and I used to talk about it, and we knew that it was going to come beautifully. It’s a process I get to such a kickass film out. It had its own journey. At the end of it, all the synergy has worked beautifully, and Amazon Prime Video is a great platform to be on. The love that the film is getting will set an example that aisi filmon ko aur dhakka milna chahiye rather than them facing delays.
We have to talk about your superhero track…
I am a nutcase myself and I love doing all these crazy things, contrary to the image that I have! When Tahira offered me this part, it was like a child in a candy store. This fantasy track worked very well because I did everything I always wanted to do! When she told me that I am going to play a superwoman, I was like ‘Seriously?’. I then asked her, ‘Can I call my kids please for its shoot?’ (laughs)! It was a night show, and I didn’t allow my nephew and niece to sleep. I told them ‘You have to come and see me as a superwoman’. There was a sense of pride I felt playing the part.
The actor, who I saved, was actually a lovely assistant director in our unit. During the screening, there were a lot of claps for the scene. I was wondering why this scene is eliciting so many claps. Later, I learned that ki woh AD ke liye taaliyan baj rahi hai (laughs).
Nevertheless, it wasn’t something you do every day, right? I laud Tahira for making me do this.
Nowadays, there has been a discussion on reducing fees and entourage of the stars. What do you have to say on this aspect?
I feel some requirements are basic. But you can also cut down on some things. Talking of myself, I have done some films free of cost. That’s because you know that those films need to be made and they can only be made if you don’t charge. Some filmmakers paid me later when they earned out of the film. These are the films I am really proud of. Stanley Ka Dabba(2011) was one such flick. I was given a token amount. Jaise shagun dete hai, waise bade pyaar se Amole Gupte ne mujhe diya tha (smiles). When the film made a profit, he came up graciously and gave me a big cheque. That’s the beauty of working with such lovely people. We work on trust and our aim is to make a good film.
Actors should have self-understanding ki yeh zyada ho raha hai (and I shouldn’t be charging so much). You should think of the film as a whole because a lot of lives are at stake. So many people work hard to make a film. Often, actors come up with such huge entourages. It’s not necessary. Jahan zaroorat hai, wahaan zaroor laaiye. If you are shooting in a public place, you need security for instance. But to have an entourage of 15 people at all times is not fair. I do feel that we can cut down.
You need to also understand that actors are also like children. If I am sitting in a classroom to perform a scene in Stanley Ka Dabba, I don’t need a vanity van. This is because all kids are not going to get one. I’d sit with them in the classroom as they are my co-stars. I’ll use the washroom available in the school. However, if I am shooting in the heat outside, I do need my vanity van. That’s a basic need.
You’ll be seen in the much-awaited period flick, Chhava. What can we expect from you in this film?
You’ll expect something you’ve not seen me doing. I can’t talk about my role. But I felt truly royal going back into the era of Chhava! When I entered the set, it just took me to another period. Hence, I enjoyed my stint. This is my second film with Laxman Utekar after Nazar Andaaz (2022). I am glad I am repeated by my directors. And this was my first film with Vicky Kaushal and that also made it special.
You are a surprise addition to the second season of Bandish Bandits…
It’s nice to be a new entrant in such a show. I felt like a newcomer after being in the industry for 30 years, as the other characters are well-established. I had to do a lot of learning (of music) and also unlearning, and it was beautiful. Anand Tiwari is one of the finest makers out there. I had no idea that people were waiting so eagerly for Season 2. Hence, I feel proud to belong to Bandish Bandits.
Your short film Sheer Qorma, co-starring Shabana Azmi and Swara Bhasker, has got a lot of acclaim but hasn’t been released yet. Many are waiting to see it…
We are also waiting. Bol bol ke thak gaye hai hum! The film faces problems due to the subject and other factors. I am sure it’s going to find its way (smiles).
Finally, what’s your next book all about?
It will be a short story for kids. The lazy writer is still sitting over it as there are other things to do! I need a deadline and that’s how I work best.
Also Read: Sharmajee Ki Beti Trailer: Sakshi Tanwar, Divya Dutta and Saiyami Kher starrer explores dreams, and aspirations of middle-class women
More Pages: Sharmajee Ki Beti Box Office Collection , Sharmajee Ki Beti Movie Review
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