3 weeks ago
If We Don't Vocalise Our Truths, Who Will?: Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza is a famous actor in Indian movies, a place called Bollywood.
She just finished 25 years of making films.
She talked to a news channel called NDTV about her work.
She said that long ago, most movies were about men and women's parts were not very deep.
Now she says writers are making better and more real roles for women.
She chooses movies based on the story, not just her own part.
She wants stories that make people think and help improve people's lives.
She thinks actors should be allowed to talk about important things like climate change and fairness.
She believes that if artists don't share their truth, nobody else will.
Her newest show, Operation Safed Sagar, is available on Netflix.
Dia Mirza, completing 25 years in the film industry, spoke to NDTV about her journey and upcoming projects.
She said commercial cinema once focused narratives on the male lens, but women's roles have become more textured and nuanced in the last decade.
She said “I don't pick roles. I pick stories,” choosing projects based on the storyteller's intention and potential social impact.
She recalled working with Akshaye Khanna and Sunny Deol on Ikka, praising both actors for their warmth, kindness and generosity.
She defended artists speaking out on social issues, asking “If we don't vocalise our truths, then who will?”; her latest project Operation Safed Sagar is streaming on Netflix.
- Who
- Actor Dia Mirza, in conversation with NDTV
- What
- Discussed her 25-year career, the evolving portrayal of women in cinema, her recent projects Ikka, Alpha and Operation Safed Sagar, and why artists must speak up on social issues
- Where
- During a conversation with NDTV, an Indian news outlet
- When
- At the time of completing 25 years in the film industry
- Why
- Because she believes artists have a duty to vocalise truths and, as citizens and parents, to question and help build better systems
Artists Should Speak Out
Public Figures Should Stay Out of Social and Political Conversations
Whether public figures should participate in social and political conversations
Artists Should Speak Out
Dia Mirza argues artists must voice opinions on issues affecting social justice, equality and climate, saying being an artist means living truth and sharing, and that as citizens and parents they have every right to question and participate in building better systems.
Public Figures Should Stay Out of Social and Political Conversations
Some people question why public figures participate in social and political conversations, a stance Dia says baffles her and reflects a misplaced idea of what it means to be an artist.
Key facts
- Actor
- Dia Mirza
- Career milestone
- 25 years in the film industry
- Recent projects
- Ikka, Alpha, Operation Safed Sagar
- Operation Safed Sagar platform
- Netflix
- Ikka co-stars
- Akshaye Khanna and Sunny Deol
- Interview outlet
- NDTV
- Key quote
- "I don't pick roles. I pick stories."
- Works cited for nuanced women's writing
- Thappad, Made in Heaven, Dhak Dhak, Kaafir
Quotes
Akshaye Khanna
Actor, co‑star of Dia Mirza in "Ikka"
“I don't pick roles. I pick stories. I think what matters is the story. What is the intention of the storyteller? What are they trying to achieve? How is this going to move the needle in a direction that I care for?”
NDTV
“If we don't vocalise our truths, then who will?”
NDTV
Sources
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