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I’ve become greedier, more selective: Divya Dutta
New Delhi, March 4 (IANS) It’s a case of “dil maange more” for Divya Dutta as far as risky films and characters are concerned.
After an eventful 2018 in which she won a National Award as Best Supporting Actress, Divya’s slate for 2019 is diverse and impressive. There’s the Malala Yousufzai biopic “Gul Makai”, Netflix film “Music Teacher”, children’s film “Jhalki… A Different Childhood”, a psychological thriller with Arshad Warsi and Juhi Chawla, “Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai” and “Ram Singh Charlie” — all signifying quite a mix of genres and number.
“It’s great. I think I have become slightly greedier and more selective, but I think it’s lovely,” Divya told IANS in an interview.
“There’s no strategy or plan that now I will only do this. But it’s just that your heart says ‘now don’t do this’ and ‘only do this’ or ‘go ahead and do just something drastically different’… I love to experiment more.
“When you are accepted and acknowledged and loved, I think they (the industry members) give you the freedom to choose more and take more risks. I have always done that, but I think I want to do more. It’s like ‘dil maange more’. I think I am in a position to sit and just look at the scripts and say ‘I want to do this’ or ‘I don’t want to do that’,” she added.
Divya’s Bollywood journey had started in 1994 with “Ishq Mein Jeena Ishq Mein Marna”. She has been appreciated for her impactful performances in films like “Veer-Zaara”, “Delhi-6”, “Heroine”, “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”, “Traffic” and “Irada” for which she won the National Award.
At the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) last year, Divya had opened up about how she thought it was “blasphemous” to play a supporting role in Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara”, which came her way after a couple of multi-starrer projects which she was not proud of. But her role as Shabbo in the cross-border love story continues to garner love.
Is playing the lead girl in a Yash Raj Films’ banner film a dream she still harbours?
“I think times have changed now. Everyone is now story-oriented. All your so-called stars want to do the roles that I do. It’s like that… It’s become a role reversal everywhere. The stories have become distinct.
“But of course, we have grown up on Yash Chopra’s films. If given a chance, I would definitely dance in the Alps in a chiffon sari,” she said with a laugh.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.