Dia Mirza has candidly spoken about the difficult phase in her career when she was unfairly labelled as “panauti” or bad luck in the film industry.
Despite making a memorable debut with Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, the film’s initial box office failure affected her opportunities. Several of her early projects did not perform commercially, leading to a perception that impacted her career growth.
She shared that even when critics appreciated her performances, filmmakers hesitated to cast her due to the stigma attached to box office results.
Facing Comparisons and Industry Bias
In her early years, Dia was often compared to Aishwarya Rai, which added to the pressure.
She revealed that these comparisons and repeated setbacks made it harder to secure roles, despite consistent efforts and positive reviews.
Critics frequently described her as “underutilised” and deserving of better opportunities, but that recognition did not translate into work at the time.
Taking a Break at 24
Dia also spoke about stepping away from films at the age of 24 after the loss of her adoptive father.
This personal tragedy, combined with professional struggles, made her reassess her journey.
She reflected on how her hard work wasn’t aligning with the opportunities she was receiving, prompting her to take a pause.
The Call That Changed Everything
A major turning point came when she directly reached out to filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani during the casting of Sanju.
Dia openly asked for work, expressing her struggle to find roles and her willingness to audition. This led to her being cast as Manyata Dutt, the wife of Sanjay Dutt, portrayed by Ranbir Kapoor in the film.
She described Sanju as a “lifesaver” that revived her acting career.
From Acting to Producing
Before her comeback, Dia had also ventured into film production with projects like:
- Love Breakups Zindagi
- Bobby Jasoos (starring Vidya Balan)
Interestingly, she chose not to cast herself in these films, which may have contributed to the perception that she was moving away from acting.
Career Revival After ‘Sanju’
The success of Sanju marked a new phase in her career.
She later took on impactful roles, including in the series Kaafir, which she described as life-changing.
Her recent appearances include projects like Nadaaniyan and IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.
A Story of Resilience
Dia Mirza’s journey reflects persistence in the face of industry stereotypes. From being labelled “unlucky” to rebuilding her career through determination, her story highlights the unpredictable nature of the film industry.
FAQs
Q. Why was Dia Mirza called ‘panauti’?
A. Due to multiple box office failures early in her career, she was unfairly labelled as “bad luck” by some in the industry.
Q. Which film changed her career?
A. Sanju (2018) marked a major turning point.
Q. Did Dia Mirza take a break from acting?
A. Yes, she took a sabbatical at 24 after a personal loss.
Q. What did she do during her struggling phase?
A. She turned producer and later actively sought acting opportunities, including reaching out to Rajkumar Hirani.
