EXCLUSIVE: Dia Mirza on facing REJECTIONS for being ‘good looking’, says, ‘Lots of wonderful directors haven’t cast me’

Dia Mirza is one of the most loved actresses in Bollywood. She made her acting debut with the film Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. Post that, she went on to appear in films like Kyun! Ho Gaya Na, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Parineeta, Shootout At Lokhandwala, and Sanju among others. The actress has had her share of ups and downs in her career.

Ahead of her upcoming film Dhak Dhak’s release, Dia joined Bollywood Bubble for a candid conversation along with Ratna Pathak Shah, Sanjana Sanghi, and Fatima Sana Shaikh. Talking about Dia, in particular, she recalled facing rejections for being too good looking during the initial days of her career.

Dia recalls facing rejections

The actress shared, “There are lots of wonderful directors who I’d give my heart for and I would love to work with. They haven’t cast me because they think I look too good. But it’s okay, it’s fine. But I have to say this there’s been an update in life since. Those same directors now want to work with me.”

Dia recalls initial career days

Dia has made it big in Bollywood without any Godfather. The actress started her journey as a model and is now a successful actress. When asked about her tough days and whether there were days when she felt ‘cheated, vulnerable or betrayed’, she said, “I was so young when I started working in films. I was 18 and a half. And yes, with no background in cinema and with no family in Mumbai. I was living alone. I was running my house and I was cooking my meals, I was sweeping, mopping, dusting, showing up to work, paying my taxes, bills and figuring out where to get the gas from and how to get a phone connection.”

She added, “It’s very hard to navigate life in the real world as a woman and especially as a young woman and more so in a world that is so patriarchal. But more in our industry because we are commodified when we are young because everybody is trying to sell something. So, the failures of our subject become personal and the attacks fee; extremely personal.”

The actress further added that it was difficult back then because the media was irresponsible. “It’s my work outside of cinema that kept me going and sane,” said Dia.

Watch the video below:

Talking about her upcoming film, Dhak Dhak also stars Ratna Pathak Shah, Sanjana Sanghi and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The Tarun Dudeja directorial is slated to release on 13^th October, 2023.

Also Read: Nostalgia much! Dia Mirza and R Madhavan treat us to a Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein reunion