Dia Mirza, who plays Sanjay Dutt’s wife, Manyata, in Rajkumar Hirani’s yet untitled movie on the actor, says returning to Bollywood after two years was terrifying.
However, she is full of praise for the film’s cast. “I had a great time filming [the biopic]. It was terrifying as well because I actually got on to a film set after a gap of two years. [The] morning of my first day [on sets], I was terrified, but given the nature of the crew and the kind of people I was working with, and the sense of home that I felt, I did okay,” she explained.
The actress, who unveiled a new collection titled H.Y. Ode to Nature for Yasmin Mather’s fashion label in Kochi last week, was last seen on-screen in 2016’s Salaam Mumbai.
Dutt’s biopic features Ranbir Kapoor as the protagonist. It also stars Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Karishma Tanna, Vicky Kaushal and Jim Sarbh.
The film, written and directed by Hirani, will centre on Dutt’s personal as well as public life.
The actress is excited about the film, but refrains from sharing any information about the narrative of the project.
“It is with my favourite Indian film director. I have worked with him before [on Lage Raho Munna Bhai]. I get to work with one of the finest artists of my generation, Ranbir Kapoor. I am really excited about the film and I can’t wait for the audiences to watch it,” she added.
So, how will the film bring Dutt’s life alive on the silver screen?
“I can’t answer this question, because the film release is a good three months away and it’s too early to comment or give any more details at this time,” Mirza said.
After winning the Miss Asia Pacific 2000 title, Mirza made her Bollywood debut in 2001 with the film Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein.
Despite having a successful debut, she could not sustain the golden run in the Hindi film industry, and featured in projects such as Deewaanapan, Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, Dum, Parineeta and Kurbaan.
Besides acting, Mirza is also interested in the business side of filmmaking; she co-owns a production house called Born Free Entertainment with her husband, Sahil Sangha. Her last production venture was Bobby Jasoos in 2014.
The actress, who is also known for her philanthropic activities, is praised for her simple fashion sense.
Mirza says she defines fashion as an expression of the time that we live in.
“I think many fashion lines are created in essence to define a voice, an opinion, a conflict that individuals may be feeling in their own artistic minds. And it’s also about the colours and the mood designers are feeling, which is inspired by society and what is happening around [them],” she added.
