Producer, director and actor Divya Khosla Kumar is a woman of many talents. The actress who marked her acting debut in Bollywood with Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo in 2004 is returning to the silver screen after almost 17 years. Divya will be next seen in Satyameva Jayate 2. She says that she is not worried about the long break. In fact, she believes that she is back at the right time.
“This is a great time to be a female actor in the industry. Some amazing roles are being written,” says Divya. According to her time when female artistes did not get acting offers post their marriage is over. “We have moved beyond the perception that one’s marital status determines the course of their career. The success that Deepika (Padukone) and Kareena (Kapoor Khan) have achieved is a testament to that. We’ve left the 90s behind and thankfully so,” she explains.
After directing films such as Yaariyan (2014) and Sanam Re (2016) she wants to focus on making a name for herself as an actor and currently has no plans of directing herself in a film. “My headspace, as a director, is very different. (As an actor) I’ve never seen myself as a part of the world that I envision as a filmmaker. Hats off to Ajay Devgn, Farhan Akhtar and Aamir Khan, who have directed themselves. It’s a very difficult job and it’s extremely strenuous,” she quips.
The actress confessed that she’s more excited, than nervous about her upcoming release “I wasn’t nervous on the first day of the shoot either. I never lost touch (with acting), because I did a few music videos where I acted. Being on a set gives a lot of creative satisfaction and I truly believe that I belong there. I would say that a set is my happy place,” Kumar was quoted saying.
Divya will be seen essaying role of a strong and empowered female politician in the film. She has undergone intense preparation to get into the skin of her character under the guidance of her director, Milap Zaveri.
“Milap had briefed me that my character is to portray the strong and empowered woman of today’s generation who maintains the ideal work-life balance and stands for what’s right. I had studied several iconic films such as Aandhi (1975) to understand how to portray my role to the best of my ability. It, especially, was tough for me as I had to put on weight for my role. I’m so glad to have got this chance to showcase a new side of me,” Kumar concludes.
