Divya Dutta thought it was 'blasphemous' to play supporting role in 'Veer Zaara'

She charmed the critics with her portrayal of Shabbo in Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta's "Veer Zaara" but actor Divya Dutta was initially not sure of taking up the part.

During the panel discussion 'Redefining Stories' at the International Film Festival of India 2018 here, the actor, who recently won the National Award for Best Supporting Actress for role in the film "Irada", revealed that Yash Chopra-directed film came her way after a couple of multi-starrer projects which she was not proud of.

"Everyone in the industry says yes to you. Nobody says no. They are all very nice to you. I called up home and told them that I have signed 22 films... I waited like for an year and half before I started doing multi-starrer and I wasn't happy doing that.

"I wasn't happy dancing around trees because I wanted to do more. Then my mother just sat me down and said 'What are you waiting for?' I told her something will come my way. She said what if it comes after 25 odd years. she said why don't you do it now. Why don't you take up those roles that are not probably your lead roles but they have so much substance, so much significance."
"I thought it was blasphemy to take on friend's role in a Yash Chopra film. But Aditya told me 'You are never going to regret having played Shabbo'. And to date I get love for that film."
"What started happening was that I started getting roles that were beautiful but they were not the lead. I had to add my overlook to those roles to get attention. And what gradually started happening was that people started talking about me... Suddenly things started coming in."
"When you talk about heartland film, earlier you would just think of those stereotypical films where you have one hero and one heroine... since you haven't come the cliched way you are not belonging somewhere. But now roles are written for me... There is a colour that you give to every story... so there is so much more excitement."