Step inside actor Divya Dutta’s Mumbai home: ‘Shabana Azmi told me ‘ghar ko dheere dheere sajana”

The tour begins at the entrance, where a long-standing idol of Lord Ganesha sets a serene tone; flanking it are two Ganesha-inspired chairs. Speaking about this setup, Divya said, “This idol has been with me for years. It’s the first thing I see every time I enter the house—it gives me a sense of calm and grounding.”

Reflecting on how she approached decorating her home, Divya credited her co-star Shabana Azmi for her advice. She recalled, “I was shooting in Jaipur jab ghar ki taiyaari ho rahi thi. Tab Shabana (Azmi) ji told me sab cheezein sath mein na le aana ghar ki, toh fir pata hi nahi chalega kaha kya rakhna hai. Dheere dheere ghar ko sajana. (I was shooting in Jaipur when my house was being set up. Shabana ji told me, ‘Don’t bring everything into your home at once. Take your time to feel the space and decide where each thing belongs.)”

The dining-cum-living hall houses what Divya fondly calls her “Glory Corner,” a collection of awards that celebrate her successful career.

Divya emphasised the significance of awards in an actor’s life: “Hum log kehte hain ki awards matter karte hai ya nahi (We often debate whether awards matter or not), but for me, they absolutely do. They’re like a tonic—they remind us that our work is appreciated and acknowledged. Holding a trophy feels like holding a memory.”

She joked about expanding the corner, saying, “Ghar me yeh joke hota hai ki isko hum aur badhaenge aage (There’s a running joke in my house that we’ll expand this corner further).”

The drawing room showcases Divya’s love for woodwork and vibrant accents. Speaking about her evolving style, she shared, “I used to think that everything should match perfectly, but now I believe in blending different elements. Contrasting pieces complement each other beautifully.”

A highlight of this room is a portrait gifted by her Dhakaad team, which she proudly displays. “It’s a reminder of the wonderful time I had shooting that film and the friendships I made,” she said.

Divya’s fondness for nature is evident throughout her home, with plants and flowers in almost every corner. Her coffee nook exudes a cosy charm, designed to give her a French café vibe. “I wanted a space where I could sit and feel like I’m in a café—peaceful and inspiring,” she said.

Having a balcony in a city like Mumbai is a rare privilege, and Divya treasures hers. “To have a balcony in your home in Bombay is very lucky. It’s where I read, relax, and sometimes entertain my friends,” she said.

Divya’s library is another personal sanctuary, decorated with earthy tones and housing stacks of books alongside film posters. “This space combines my two great loves: reading and cinema. It’s where I lose myself in stories,” she explained.

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