‘I’ve done a film without even hearing the script’
Actor Dia Mirza on cinema,acting and becoming a producer.
Waiting in her Santa Cruz,Mumbai,office,a checklist that is pinned up on her study desk,informs us of Dia Mirza’s priorities for the week. Dominated by dates for the pre-production of Bobby Jasoos,the last slot is dedicated to spending some alone time. As her film production company takes steady strides,the actor-turned-producer talks about her new role:
Most actors who become producers want to cast themselves in the films they produce. Why didn’t you take that route with Bobby Jasoos?
Our company isn’t made to self propagate. The intention is not to cast myself in every film we make. Yes,as an actor there are many times I have felt that my potential hasn’t been maximised but the company is to make good films and earn the reputation of a credible producer who knows how to nurture a film and put it out there. I have a vision and belief in a certain kind of cinema and the reason to start my banner,Born Free,is to tell stories and make films I believe in.
How did you rope in Vidya Balan?
We had a fantastic one-line idea about Bobby Jasoos,yet we worked on it for one-and-a-half years. And Vidya’s process of choosing a script is extensive. The story is that of a girl who aspires to be a detective. It’s an uplifting journey of a woman finding herself,filled with colour,laughter and energy. Vidya said yes to the film within 20 days.
You have been involved with social activism apart from acting and production. What drives you?
I never plan. I’m very intuitive. I feel good that I have served my soul and never restricted my growth. My aspiration is to be a part of good cinema — in whatever capacity. Some of my colleagues believe that I can tell a story well. One of my writers tells me not to tell her a story of a film,apparently my narration of the stories end up to be more interesting than the films. I also think it goes back to the creative environment I have grown up in. My father was an architect,industrial fair designer,graphic designer,painter and photographer. His life was about forming images,constructing things out of nothing.
How much did the industry enrich you creatively?
The first time I was exposed to the making of a film was Parineeta. We did readings and audio boardings. I saw the way they designed the film. Then I got the chance to work with Excel and Dharma Productions where the work camaraderie was wonderful and everyone was treated as an equal. It reduced my disillusionment with the industry.
With the industry evolving,would you have fared better as an actor if you started off today?
Absolutely. When I started out,the industry functioned in a particular way. The mindset was more about how much you are being paid and who you are being cast opposite to. But the biggest problem for a new female actor like me was that you weren’t allowed to ask questions. You were just meant to show up,look good in the clothes given to you without questioning. I’ve done films where I’ve got a call saying that the female actor didn’t show up at the airport the night before and if I could bail them out.
I’ve gone and done a film without even hearing its script. Somewhere along the way,the corporates came in and brought more professionalism. The greatest advantage that female actors have today is the time they invest in a film school or in theatre. The quality of performance we see today comes from the experience and awareness they have about cinema.
Do you regret any of your past decisions?
I don’t,because I think everything is part of that learning curve. Films came to me too easily. People struggle,while films got dropped on my lap because I was this beauty pageant winner. But this happens to any field of work. If you are ignorant and you are thrown into it,you have to learn and manage the tide. I have learnt the process on the job. I can’t undo it. When I started out I was in a constant internal war. We used to be given scenes 15 minutes before shooting,while scenes were being written at the location.
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