Dutta, who has recently been seen in JioHotstar’s web series, Chiraiya, shared an interesting story about her first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan. Divya exclusively told Zoom that she met SRK on the sets of Dil Se and confessed that she wanted to be a part of the Mani Ratnam film. However, she couldn’t do it because the director thought she looked like Manisha Koirala, who was the leading lady of the film. Apart from that, Divya Dutta also opened up about breaking a stereotype of heroine looks and creating her own style.
Divya Dutta On Her First Meeting With Shah Rukh Khan
Almost every film actor has a special story of meeting Shah Rukh Khan for the first time. Back in 1997, Divya was a newcomer and had an ambition to work with SRK in Dil Se. When asked about her first meeting with King Khan, the actress said that it was nothing but surreal. Divya Dutta said, “When I had come in, Shah Rukh Khan was doing Dil Se. I was very keen to do a role which Preity Zinta did in the film. My manager was the same as Shah Rukh Khan's. I requested him to make me meet SRK. He told me, 'Okay. You can meet. He is shooting in Connaught Place.' I was given an allotted time. I saw a lot of people standing and seeing Shah Rukh Khan running during a chase sequence. I thought, How can he meet me? So, I turned around and started leaving the location. One man called me and said that SRK is waiting for me. Everyone looked at me and was like, 'Who is this girl going to meet Shah Rukh? They gave me dirty looks.'”
When asked how he treated her after meeting for the first time, Divya recalled that SRK had a brief conversation with her. She said, “He was sitting in a jeep. He gave me his hand and made me sit in the jeep. We had a small conversation amid a huge crowd banging on our jeep, screaming, 'Shah Rukh, Shah Rukh'.”
Why Divya Dutta Couldn’t Do Dil Se?
During her conversation with SRK, Divya Dutta asked him to recommend her name for Preity Zinta’s role in Dil Se. She said, “I told him that I would love to do a part. He said that he can only convey my message to Mani sir. Then, Mani sir called me and said that I look a lot like Manisha Koirala. Hence, you can't technically be a part of this film.” Apart from that, when asked Divya Dutta about not attending enough parties, she said that earlier she would attend parties and try to adapt other heroines’ looks. However, after gaining recognition, Divya found her voice and gained confidence. She even created her own style. Divya confessed that she doesn't like to attend parties. She likes to chill with her loved ones. Divya Dutta has worked in many films and web series. Some of her notable films are Veer Zaara, Badlapur, Chalk And Duster, Special 26, Heroine, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, U Me Aur Hum, Apne, Baghban, Manto and so on.