Twenty-five years after making her debut, Dia Mirza Rekhi finds herself in a place where stories with a soul matter more than ever. For Dia, who shot exclusively for HT City Showstoppers, purpose comes first. “Those answers matter to me more than ever. And then, of course, it extends itself to: Why does the character matter, and what can this character contribute?”
Having moved seamlessly between mainstream cinema, production and socially conscious content, she now asks herself a simple question before taking on a project: “Why is this story being told, and what impact is it going to have?
Because of the integrity with which the story was made, she is delighted by the response, particularly. The success of her latest show, Operation Safed Sagar, a military war drama, has only reaffirmed that instinct. For an actor who chooses parts for their depth rather than their screen time, the philosophy remains simple: “It’s not about length, but really about depth. Dia’s advocacy for women and children is closely tied to her wider commitment to social justice. As a UN SDG Advocate and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, she has used her platform to speak about women’s participation in decision-making, climate leadership and the importance of representation. Her association with Save the Children has also seen her advocate for the rights and wellbeing of vulnerable children. For Dia, these causes are interconnected, rooted in a larger belief in building a more equitable and compassionate world. Creative Director : Shara Ashraf Prayag Mishra
“There was something so unhurried about the way this story was approached,” she says, pointing to the research, writing, shooting and execution.
