Divya Dutta | |
|---|---|
 Dutta in 2018 | |
| Born | (1977-09-25)25 September 1977 (age 48) Ludhiana, Punjab, India |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Relatives | Deepak Bahry (uncle) |
| Website | divyadutta.co.in |
Divya Dutta (born 25 September 1977)[1][2] is an Indian actress. She has appeared primarily inHindi andPunjabi cinema, and has received accolades including aNational Film Award and aFilmfare OTT Award.
Dutta debuted in Hindi cinema in 1994 with the filmIshq Mein Jeena Ishq Mein Marna, which she followed with a lead role in the 1995 dramaVeergati. She garnered attention for playing the lead role of Zainab, aMuslim wife separated from herSikh husband, in the 1999 Punjabi filmShaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh, set against the backdrop of the 1947Partition of India. Dutta gained further attention for her supporting roles in the romantic dramaVeer-Zaara (2004), the comedyWelcome to Sajjanpur (2008), the dramasDelhi-6 (2009),Stanley Ka Dabba (2011) andHeroine (2012), and the thrillerBadlapur (2015). In 2013, she gained acclaim for playing the sister ofMilkha Singh in the biopicBhaag Milkha Bhaag.[3][4] For her role in the social dramaIrada (2017), Dutta was awarded theNational Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In television, she playedPurnima Banerjee in the serialSamvidhaan (2014). She won aFilmfare OTT Award for her performance in the thriller seriesSpecial OPS (2020). She has also authored a book,The Stars in My Sky.[5]
Dutta was born on 25 September 1977 inLudhiana,Punjab.[1][6] Her mother, Nalini Dutta, was a government officer and doctor who raised Dutta and her brother single-handedly following the death of her husband when Dutta was aged seven. Dutta described her as "fearless and professional" and a "fun mom at home."[6] She took inspiration from her mother for her role as a single mother, Pappi in the 2013 drama filmGippi. She and her brother compiled a collection of their mother's poems and published them as a present to her.[7] Dutta's maternal uncle is film director and producerDeepak Bahry.[8]
When Dutta was young, thePunjab insurgency began and Dutta described herself as hiding behind her mother's dupatta "praying nobody shoots us."[7] Dutta was educated at Sacred Heart Convent inLudhiana.
Dutta made her film debut in 1994 with the filmIshq Mein Jeena Ishq Mein Marna. She followed this by playing the supporting role of Bindiya in the 1995 filmSurakshaa, alongsideSuniel Shetty,Aditya Pancholi,Saif Ali Khan and Sheeba. The film performed very well in the overseas markets, especiallyNorway andSweden. The same year, Dutta earned her first leading role oppositeSalman Khan in the 1995 drama filmVeergati, portraying the role of Sandhya. However, the film became a flop at the box office.[9]
The following year, Dutta played supporting roles in three releases-Agni Sakshi alongsideJackie Shroff,Nana Patekar andManisha Koirala,Chhote Sarkar alongsideGovinda andShilpa Shetty, andRam Aur Shyam. In 1997, she played small roles inRaja Ki Aayegi Baraat, alongsideRani Mukerji, as Sharda's sister and inDaava as Deepa, alongsideAkshay Kumar andRaveena Tandon. Dutta had four releases in 1998, playing small roles inGharwali Baharwali andBade Miyan Chote Miyan, but appearing as the female lead, Milli, in the filmIski Topi Uske Sarr. She also played the role of a prostitute in thePamela Rooks dramaTrain to Pakistan set during the time of thepartition of India, in 1947.
In 1999, Dutta made herPunjabi debut in theromantic dramaShaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh, in the first of her many roles oppositeGurdas Maan. The film was also set during the 1947 Indian partition and was based on the real-life story of a SikhBoota Singh. Dutta played hisMuslim wife,Zainab, who was separated from him and pressurised by her family. It was well-received and a surprise hit at the box office. Dutta was praised for her performance, with theTribune remarking that she is "competent in the depiction of Punjabi exuberance, as well as acute grief."[10] She played supporting roles in the filmsSamar,Rajaji andTabaahi – The Destroyer.
The following year, Dutta made herNepali debut in the romance filmBasanti, playing the role of Malati. In 2001, she also had one release, thesuspense thrillerKasoor, directed byVikram Bhatt. She played the role of Ms. Payal and dubbed the voice of non-Hindi speaking actressLisa Ray.[11] The film was a commercial success.
In 2002, Dutta had six releases — she made a special appearance in the Nepali filmMaya Namara, and appeared inInth Ka Jawab Patthar, playing the role of Kanchan. She played supporting roles inShakti: The Power alongsideKarisma Kapoor andShah Rukh Khan, and inSur – The Melody of Life. She appeared alongsideGurdas Maan andTabu inZindagi Khoobsoorat Hai, directed byManoj Punj. She played the role ofDurgawati Devi alongsideSunny Deol andBobby Deol in23rd March 1931: Shaheed, but the movie was a flop at the box office. In 2003, she ventured into comedy withPraan Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye, playing the role of Dulari. She appeared in two ensemble movies, thefamily filmBaghban and thewar filmLOC Kargil. Both were well-received, but in the latter she was described as barely having "the screen time that may be consumed in a blink."[12] She played the role of Chatterjee's daughter inJogger's Park and received her first nomination for theStar Guild Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance.
In 2004, Dutta made her breakthrough in Hindi cinema with the role of Shabbo withYash Chopra's epic love sagaVeer-Zaara, alongsideShah Rukh Khan,Preity Zinta andRani Mukerji. The film received widespread critical acclaim and emerged an all-time blockbuster at the box office. Dutta was widely lauded for her performance, with Aakash Gandhi describing her as "doing a fantastic job serving as the maid who's trying to join the two lovers",[13] and critic Subhash K. Jha remarking that she "bring[s] enormous feeling."[14] For her performance, Dutta received nominations at several award ceremonies, including her first nomination for theFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. That same year, she also appeared in supporting roles inMurder andAgnipankh, and collaborated for a third time with directorManoj Punj in the Punjabi filmDes Hoyaa Pardes. She also played lead roles inShobhayatra and the comedy filmShaadi Ka Laddoo.
The following year, Dutta had seven releases, with appearances inDil Ke Pechey Pechey,Naam Gum Jaayega andDubai Return. She also appeared inSilsiilay alongsideShah Rukh Khan andBhumika Chawla, and in the comedyMr Ya Miss. She played Ila Bose, the sister ofSubhas Chandra Bose, in the film based on his life,Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero, and was described as "outstanding" by film critic Subhash K. Jha.[15] She also played the title role inSanyogita: The Bride in Red, aRajasthani girl struggling to control her desires in a patriarchal society. The film received rave reviews in France[16] and won the Best Film Award at the Lyon Asian Film Festival. In 2006, Dutta appeared in a small role inDarwaaza Bandh Rakho, alongsideAftab Shivdasani andIsha Sharvani. The film underperformed at the box office. She also appeared inUmrao Jaan, and despite the film receiving mixed reviews and performing poorly at the box office, Dutta's performance was praised, with theTribune remarking that she is "convincing,"[17] butRediff criticised the film for underutilising her and called her "an exceptional artist...reduced to a sidekick."[18]
Dutta made her international debut in theEnglishRituparno Ghosh filmThe Last Lear alongsideAmitabh Bachchan,Preity Zinta andArjun Rampal, playing the role of Ivy, a nurse. The film premiered at theToronto International Film Festival. Reviews of the film were mixed, but Dutta was mostly praised for her portrayal, with Aparajita Ghosh calling her "simply superb"[19] but Joxily John remarking that she is "wasted in a character that does not add any significant value to the proceedings."[20] She also played supporting roles in the sports dramaApne as part of an ensemble cast includingDharmendra andKatrina Kaif, and in the dance dramaAaja Nachle alongsideMadhuri Dixit. Although the former was a hit, the latter underperformed at the box office. In 2008, she played supporting roles inU Me Aur Hum alongsideAjay Devgn andKajol, and inSummer 2007. For her performance inWelcome to Sajjanpur, she received the Star Sabse Favourite Kaun Award. She also appeared oppositeVinay Pathak in the comedyOh, My God, which received mainly negative reviews, although Dutta's performance was branded "earnest."[21] She played the titular role inKahaani Gudiya Ki...True Story of a Woman and was praised for her portrayal of a Muslim woman in theKargil War.[22]
Dutta's first release of 2009, theRakeysh Omprakash Mehra'sdrama filmDelhi-6, was a box office flop and received mixed reviews. For her portrayal of the low-caste trash collector girl, Jalebi, Dutta was highly praised, with Taran Adarsh calling her "admirable"[23] andBehindWoods calling the supporting actors, including Dutta, "the highlight of the film".[24] Dutta received nominations for Best Supporting Actress at various awards ceremonies, including Filmfare, and won her firstIIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress. She starred inLove Khichdi alongsideRandeep Hooda and Avijit Ghosh of theEconomic Times called her "among those who stand out."[25] She also appeared inMorning Walk and her performance was described as "good", although the film received negative reviews.[26] Her other two releases that year wereMini Punjab andParoksh.
In 2010, she appeared in the Punjabi filmSukhmani: Hope for Life, once again alongsideJuhi Chawla andGurdas Maan, playing the role of Reshma. For her performance, she received the PTC Punjabi Film Award for Best Actress. She played a supporting role in the Manoj Tiwari directed comedy filmHello Darling. The film received highly negative reviews, but Dutta's performance received mixed reviews, with Joginder Tuteja calling her "okay,"[27] but NDTV calling her one of the actresses who make an impression.[28] She also appeared inMalik Ek, based on the life ofShirdi Sai Baba, playing one of his devotees, Laxmi. The film received mostly negative reviews, but her performance received mixed reviews and was described as "efficient" by Komal Nahta.[29] The same year, she appeared in two international ventures- director Fred Holmes' multilingual projectHeart Land[30] and the filmHisss alongsideMallika Sherawat. The film received negative reviews and was criticised for underutilising her, with Taran Adarsh calling her "wasted"[31] and Pankaj Sabnani remarking that she "doesn't have much scope."[32]
The following year, Dutta had nine releases, making appearances inChaloo Movie andMasti Express, as well as the Punjabi filmThe Lion of Punjab. Her filmHaat: The Weekly Bazaar had its teasers and promo screened at theCannes Film Festival. She played the lead role of Sanja, a woman who decides to leave her husband but maintains her dignity in the male-dominated society. The film won the Special Jury's Award at the Third Eye Asian Film Festival inMumbai.[33] She also played supporting roles in the comedyMummy Punjabi, alongsideKirron Kher andMy Friend Pinto, alongsidePrateik Babbar andKalki Koechlin. Her performance in the former received positive reviews, with the Daily Bhaskar branding her "the only character that stands out" and a "firebrand."[34] However, her performance in the latter was met with mixed reviews, with Rediff stating, "Considering the oomph factor which Divya is capable of oozing on screen, it is one more opportunity lost as the all-pervading air is one of buffoonery,"[35] but with Jhinuk Sen calling her "rather endearing."[36] She played the female lead, Minnie, in theDev Anand filmChargesheet, which was met with highly negative reviews. However, Dutta's performance was positively received, with NDTV remarking that she "does Mini Singh to perfection."[37] She also played lead roles in the dramaMonica and the independent filmStanley Ka Dabba. In the former, she played the title role of a journalist, and the film received mixed reviews, but her performance was praised.Mahesh Bhatt remarked that Dutta "bares her soul on the screen,"[38] and Komal Nahta said, "Dutta does a fine job, conveying her fears and frustration, especially in the second half, beautifully."[39] The film was a disaster at the box office.Stanley Ka Dabba received overwhelmingly positive reviews, and Dutta was praised for her portrayal of a teacher, with Rediff remarking that she is "sure to bring back rose-tinted memories of saccharine-oversweet teachers you couldn't get enough of,"[40] and Sonia Chopra saying "Dutta shines in her role as the sympathetic teacher."[41] The film was a hit at the box office.[42]
In 2012, Dutta appeared alongsideKarisma Kapoor inDangerous Ishhq, playing three characters. The film received mostly negative reviews and was a flop at the box office, although her performance was lauded, with Taran Ardash remarking, "Divya Dutta does very well, but, again, gets no scope after a point,"[43] and Mrigank Dhaniwala stating, "Divya Dutta does fine job in multiple roles."[44] Her next release, theMadhur Bhandarkar dramaHeroine also received negative reviews and had a below average performance at the box office. However, her performance as Pallavi Narayan, the PR manager of a struggling actress, was highly praised, with Taran Adarsh commenting, "a special mention of Divya Dutta [in terrific form]"[45] and Lisa Tsering remarking "the supporting actors are strong throughout, especially the smart Divya Dutta as a wily PR maven."[46] Her performance earned her another nomination for the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress. Dutta also appeared in the filmOvertime.
In 2013, Dutta appeared in some of the year's most critically acclaimed hits. Her first release was theNeeraj Pandeythrillerheist filmSpecial 26 alongsideAkshay Kumar andKajal Aggarwal. The film was a critical and commercial success. Her comedy turn as Shanti was praised, with Madhureeta Mukherjee commenting, "Dutta throws in laughs."[47] Her next release was the dramaGippi, produced byKaran Johar, in which she played a single mother struggling with her victimised daughter. Dutta took inspiration from her mother for her role and received mixed reviews, with Rediff commenting, "Her acting was alright,"[48] but in.com saying, "Dutta aces the mummy act."[49] The film was an average performer at the box office. Dutta received a nomination for theScreen Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. Dutta then made an appearance in theperiodromantic dramaLootera alongsideRanveer Singh andSonakshi Sinha. The film was critically acclaimed and an average performer at the box office.
Dutta's next release was thebiographicalsports filmBhaag Milkha Bhaag, based on the life ofMilkha Singh. She appeared alongsideFarhan Akhtar,Sonam Kapoor andMeesha Shafi, playing the sister of Singh. The film proved to be Dutta's biggest commercial success to date and entered the 100-crore club. The film, and her performance, were highly praised, with theTimes of India branding her "outstanding,"[50] and Priya Joshi calling her "exceptional in a poignant role as his protective elder sister."[51] For her performance, Dutta received nominations at several awards ceremonies, including Filmfare, and eventually won her second IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her final release of the year was thepoliticalaction thrillerZila Ghaziabad alongsideArshad Warsi andSanjay Dutt. The film received mostly negative reviews, although Dutta was described as one of the "few quality actors".[52]
In 2014, Dutta's first release was thehorror-thrillerRagini MMS 2, a sequel toRagini MMS, alongsideSunny Leone andParvin Dabas. Dutta played a psychiatrist, Dr. Meera Dutta and received mixed reviews, with Madhureeta Mukherjee stating that she "stays trapped in an unconvincing role,".[53] The film was a super hit at the box office. Her second release was the biographical filmManjunath alongsideSeema Biswas and Kishore Kadam. The film received positive reviews and her performance as Anjali Mullati, the owner of a consulting company who decides to start fighting her own battle against the mafia, was praised, with Taran Ardash calling her "absolutely believable."[54]
Dutta appeared in the 2016thriller filmTraffic alongsideManoj Bajpayee, a remake of theMalayalam film of the same name. She also appeared in successful movies likeBadlapur (2015),Blackmail (2018) andBabumoshai Bandookbaaz (2017). She also acted in a short filmPlus Minus (2018), which got 16 million views on YouTube and another short film The Playboy Mr. Sawhney.[55]Plus Minus was the winner in the Most Popular Short Film category at the 2019Filmfare Awards.[56]
Dutta is unmarried.[57] She wrote a memoir,Me and Ma,[58][59] about her heavenly relationship with her mother.Me and Ma celebrates her mother's struggles to turn her into the woman she is today. The book was published on 10 February 2017 by Penguin Random House.
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| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Ishq Mein Jeena Ishq Mein Marna | Sapna | |
| 1995 | Surakshaa | Bindiya | |
| Veergati | Sandhya | ||
| 1996 | Agni Sakshi | Urmi | |
| Chhote Sarkar | Meena | ||
| Ram Aur Shyam | Sunaina | ||
| 1997 | Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat | Sharda's Sister | |
| Daava | Deepa | ||
| 1998 | Gharwali Baharwali | Madhu | |
| Iski Topi Uske Sarr | Milli | ||
| Bade Miyan Chote Miyan | Madhu | Special appearance | |
| Train to Pakistan | Prostitute | ||
| 1999 | Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh | Zainab | Punjabi film |
| Samar | Hindi /Urdu film | ||
| Rajaji | Sonia | ||
| Tabaahi – The Destroyer | |||
| 2000 | Basanti | Malati | Nepali film |
| 2001 | Kasoor | Ms Payal | Also dubbed forLisa Ray |
| 2002 | Maya Namara | Anu | Nepali film Special appearance |
| Inth Ka Jawab Patthar | |||
| 23rd March 1931: Shaheed | Durga Bhabhi | ||
| Sur – The Melody of Life | Rita D'Silva | ||
| Shakti: The Power | Shekhar's sister | ||
| Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai | Kitu | ||
| Game | Tamil film | ||
| 2003 | Praan Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye | Dulari | |
| Jogger's Park | Chatterjee's daughter | ||
| Baghban | Reena Malhotra | ||
| LOC Kargil | Yadav's wife | ||
| 2004 | Shobhayatra | Rani of Jhansi | |
| Agnipankh | Nupur | ||
| Shaadi Ka Laddoo | Geetu | ||
| Veer-Zaara | Shabbo | ||
| Murder | Nargis | ||
| Des Hoyaa Pardes | Guddi | Punjabi film | |
| 2005 | Dil Ke Pechey Pechey | Vidya | |
| Naam Gum Jaayega | Divya | ||
| Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero | Ila Bose | ||
| Silsiilay | Diya Rao | ||
| Sanyogita- The Bride in Red | Sanyogita | ||
| Mr Ya Miss | Loveleen Kapoor | ||
| Dubai Return | Vaishali | ||
| Twinkle Twinkle Little Star | Police Officer | Malayalam film Delayed | |
| 2006 | Darwaaza Bandh Rakho | Chameli G. Kale | |
| Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris | Saboo | Punjabi film | |
| Umrao Jaan | Bismillah Jaan | ||
| 2007 | Apne | Pooja B. Singh Choudhary | |
| The Last Lear | Ivy | English film | |
| Aaja Nachle | Najma | ||
| 2008 | U Me Aur Hum | Reena | |
| Kahaani Gudiya Ki...: True Story of a Woman | Gudiya | ||
| Summer 2007 | Dancer/Singer | Cameo appearance | |
| Welcome to Sajjanpur | Vindhya | ||
| Oh, My God!! | Suman R. Dubey | ||
| 2009 | Delhi-6 | Jalebi | |
| Mini Punjab | Shabbo | ||
| Morning Walk | Rita | ||
| Love Khichdi | Parminder Kaur | ||
| Paroksh | Gauri | ||
| 2010 | Sukhmani: Hope for Life | Reshma | Punjabi film |
| Malik Ek | Laxmi | ||
| Hisss | Maya Gupta | English/Hindi film | |
| Heart Land | Amrita | English film | |
| Hello Darling | Mrs. Hardik | ||
| 2011 | Haat- The Weekly Bazaar | Sanja | |
| Masti Express | Seema | ||
| Monica | Monica R. Jaitley | ||
| The Lion of Punjab | Punjabi film[61] | ||
| Stanley Ka Dabba | Rosy Miss | ||
| Chargesheet | Minnie Singh | ||
| Mummy Punjabi | Muniya | ||
| My Friend Pinto | Reshma Shergill | ||
| Chaloo Movie | Ms Urmila Undreskar | ||
| 2012 | Dangerous Ishhq | Neetu, Chanda, Tawaif and Divya | |
| Heroine | Pallavi Narayan | ||
| Overtime | |||
| 2013 | Special 26 | Shanti | |
| Boyss Toh Boyss Hain | |||
| Zila Ghaziabad | Mahenderi | ||
| Gippi | Pappi | ||
| Lootera | Shyama | ||
| Bhaag Milkha Bhaag | Ishri Kaur | ||
| 2014 | Ragini MMS 2 | Dr Meera Dutta | [62] |
| Manjunath | Anjali Mullati | ||
| 2015 | Badlapur | Shobha | [63] |
| Chehere: A Modern Day Classic | Amanat | ||
| Promise Dad | Suzanne | ||
| 2016 | Chalk n Duster | Kamini Gupta | |
| Traffic | Maya Gupta | ||
| 2017 | Irada | Ramadeep Braitch | |
| Babumoshai Bandookbaaz | Jiji | ||
| Sniff | |||
| 2018 | Blackmail | Dolly Verma | |
| Fanney Khan | Kavita Sharma | [64] | |
| Plus Minus | Short film | ||
| Manto | Kulwant Kaur | ||
| 2019 | Music Teacher | Geeta | |
| 706 | Dr Suman Asthana | ||
| Jhalki | Sunita Bhartiya | ||
| 2020 | Ram Singh Charlie | ||
| Sleeping Partner | Beena | Short film | |
| 2021 | Sheer Qorma | Noor Khan | [65][66] |
| 2022 | Maa | Manjit Kaur | Punjabi film[67] |
| Dhaakad | Rohini | [68] | |
| Anth The End | |||
| Nazar Andaaz | Bhavani | ||
| 2023 | Otta | Malayalam film[69] | |
| Aankh Micholi | Billo | ||
| 2024 | Sharmajee Ki Beti | Kiran Sharma | |
| Sikandar Ka Muqaddar | Kaushalya Singh | [70] | |
| 2025 | Chhaava | Rajmata Soyrabai Bhosale | [71] |
| Nastik† | TBA | [72] |
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Language | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 | Shanno Ki Shaadi | Shanno | StarPlus | Hindi | [73] |
| 2005 | Awaaz Punjab Di | Host/presenter | [74] | ||
| 2015–2016 | Savdhaan India | Life OK /Star Bharat | [75] | ||
| 2020 | Special Ops | Sadia Qureshi | Disney+ Hotstar | [76] | |
| Hostages | Ayesha Khan | [77] | |||
| 2024 | Bandish Bandits | Nandini | Amazon Prime Video | [78] | |
| 2025 | Mayasabha | Iravati Basu | SonyLIV | Telugu | [79] |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
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