It has been 20 years since Dia Mirza won the beauty pageant title of Miss Asia Pacific, post which she set her foot in the entertainment business. Over a period of time she progressed from being a beauty queen, to an actress to a producer and activist as well. While speaking to Hindustan Times, she spoke about her journey from being a beauty queen to an actress, which was not easy and she had to face a certain set of challenges.
She opened up saying, “I think any stereotype and pre conceived notions are not good. The way I look has been a disadvantage for me in my acting profession many a times. I have lost a job and not been cast in a part because I look too good. It is a strange disadvantage.” Marking her debut with Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, she shared her skin tone acted as a disadvantage for her, she said, “I may be sounding very ungrateful. But because of the colour of my skin I am at a disadvantage. As much as I know and am acutely aware of the fact that darker complexioned women have it hard as well.”
Speaking about the type of cinema she likes watching and women’s roles in it, she said, “But there is a certain type of cinema I love. I love the thinking cinema but the stereotypes attached to the thinking cinema and women who play those parts are so limiting. But finally things are looking up so I am not complaining.”
Dia Mirza
When asked if people would still see her in films, if it wasn’t for her winning the beauty pageant, she replied, “I have no idea, I have always loved films. I used to participate in dramatics and elocutions right through school. My naani was an ardent film lover. I grew up with my mother telling me these stories and of course she also made me watch these cult classics. I do believe that given how creative and artistic I have always been and how much I have loved the performing arts , I do believe I would have found my way in this line of work.” ALSO READ: Dia Mirza Celebrates 20 Years Of Winning Miss Asia Pacific International Title; Says, 'It Is A Moment That Created A Paradigm Shift In My Life'
Image Source: Instagram/diamirzaofficial/SpotboyE archives