Bollywood Hungama

EXCLUSIVE: Divya Dutta AMAZED by response to Chiraiya this year, Cant tell you how many girls and mothers told me how the show impacted them; also says 2026 has been a mixed bag for Hindi cinema

Divya Dutta is pleased to have starred in three diverse projects in 2026. The web show Chiraiya was her first outing this year, followed by the recent movies Last Man In Tower and Gajab Raat. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Dutta looked back at the year with fondness. I have been very fortunate to have been a part of three projects, she said. All three have made huge impact on people in general. If I talk about Chiraiya, I cant tell you how many young girls and mothers have come up to me and told me how the show and my role impacted them and how they changed something about their lives because they saw the show. It is very overwhelming for an actor to feel that. The same with Last Man In Tower. It has absolutely shaken people up to nothing else but look within once. Dutta has been acting since over 30 years. When asked how she looks back at her journey so far, she said, I am just grateful because there was a little girl who dreamt of being an actor. She had a dream of working with idols and people she has looked up to. To look back and say, I did it all and on my own, I just need to pat my back, be very grateful and hungry to do even more further. The actor said that her criteria for choosing projects has always been pretty much the same. I need to jump up when I hear something; its an instant response. Its like when you go shopping and instantly like one dress and then you ask them to show four more. But you are fond of only the first one. So, what you instantly like is never wrong. The gut is always right. Thankfully, I have carved a niche where people look up to my choices. They say that when I do something, they know its something different. So, I wish to do something that I enjoy. I want to be nervous and excited, she said. Dutta describes herself as a total Hindi movie buff. She believes this year, like almost every other year, has been a mixed bag for Hindi cinema. Its a mixed bag; it always is. There are certain highs and lows. That always will be. You have had some huge hits and some damp squibs that you were not expecting. But there are so many new filmmakers coming up with their stories. The effort and hunger to do something better is seen, she said. Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Divya Dutta on redevelopment in Mumbai amid Last Man In Tower Zee 5 premiere, We have to take a step forward but; also recalls Manoj Bajpayee cooking in between shots