Divya Dutta recently shared her experience working with Manoj Bajpayee after three decades, highlighting their shared passion for food and his culinary skills. She also reflected on the evolving roles for women in cinema, praising actresses who have challenged traditional narratives and expressed optimism for more substantial characters for women in their 30s and 40s.
Divya Dutta recenlty opened up about starring opposite Manoj Bajpayee for the first time after three long decades. The actress also shared that they bonded over their shared love for food and his habit of cooking.
‘He loves to cook and feed people’
Mid-Day quotes the actress saying, “It’s nice to have known him more closely now, beyond being co-actors who would just cross paths on set. We have a certain relatability and connect, and he’s a fabulous actor. Even when we were exhausted from shooting late nights, both of us would stay back to give cues to each other. And if you ask what we discussed the most — it was food! He’s such a foodie. He loves to cook and feed people, and he cooked a lot for me.”
On evolving roles for women in cinema
Divya further spoke about her journey in Bollywood. Dutta shared that “enjoying in the now gave her a lot,” but added that she still hopes for stronger roles. The actor is glad to see how the portrayal of women in films is evolving. She said, “There was a time people said married actresses couldn’t romance heroes or look glamorous. But look at Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vidya Balan, Alia Bhatt, they’ve changed that narrative. We’re now telling stories about what happens after ‘happily ever after’. Women in their 30s and 40s can play both younger and mature roles — it’s a beautiful phase.”Meanwhile, on the work front, she will next be seen in romantic drama Tum Rahe Na Tum, opposite Jimmy Shergill. The actress is also a part of Neeraj Pandey’s next.
