Divya Dutta feared being typecast as the ‘heroine’s best friend’ after Veer Zaara: ‘I hid behind my mother…’

Divya Dutta recently revealed that she initially feared her role in Yash Chopra's Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta-starrer Veer Zaara might typecast her as the perennial "heroine's best friend".

Divya Dutta on being single in her 40s (Image: Divya Dutta/Facebook)

Over the last 30 years since her on-screen debut, actor Divya Dutta has taken on a diverse array of roles, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. Though she had appeared in many films by then, it was Yash Chopra’s 2004 romantic drama Veer Zaara — starring Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta in the lead roles — that first brought her widespread recognition. Her portrayal of Shabina Ibrahim, the best friend of the movie’s heroine Zaara (played by Preity Zinta), garnered her significant acclaim. However, Dutta recently revealed that she initially feared the role might typecast her as the perennial “heroine’s best friend”.

“I was sitting at the movie’s premiere holding my mother’s hand. It’s a Yash Chopra film, so the whole world would be watching it. I enjoyed it a lot. But, at the same time, I was worried I would be stereotyped as the best friend of all heroines in the industry. There is a herd mentality in our industry. Everyone runs after the one who looks good and leaves the rest behind,” she said during a chat with Siddharth Kannan.

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Divya Dutta also recalled the reactions to her performance during a screening of Veer Zaara. Dutta said, “At the time of the movie’s interval, I ran away holding my mother’s hand. Mumma said she was very proud of me for the performance. I said, ‘Thank you, Mumma, even I am loving being a part of this film.’ When we stepped out, I hid a little behind her. I didn’t want to hear any friend calling me because my dream was to become a ‘Yash Chopra heroine’. While I was hiding there, Yash uncle saw me and called me over. As I went up to him, I was crowded and surrounded by people.”

“In front of Yash ji, someone asked, ‘Where did you find this girl from? Pakistan? Is she a new kid?’ By then, I had been in the industry for seven years. Though I was finally discovered, people didn’t know what category to put me in. Yet, I have turned down many roles unless I felt the role was beautiful. When we were doing Aaja Nachle (2007), I went up to Adi (Aditya Chopra, who penned the story and bankrolled the movie) and asked him who my hero was. When he said Irrfan (Khan), I said I would do the film. I wanted a hero. I had to learn to watch out for myself. Some people will always objectify and categorize you. I don’t belong with those people… I belong with those who treat me like I do and they will give you due respect,” she added.

Divya Dutta, who won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Irada (2017), was most recently seen in the comedy film Sharmajee Ki Beti (2024), helmed by Tahira Kashyap.

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