Dia Mirza: When I First Became A Producer, I Was Told That It Is A Very Tough Job, And That It Is Not A Field For A Woman

In earlier times when actresses turned producers, it was usually said that their acting careers are over. Not just that, even after actresses got married or just turned 40, the leading lady roles started drying out. On the contrary, actors kept on doing lead roles even into their late 60s and no one ever questioned them playing 30-year-olds onscreen. However, things have changed now.

In today’s times, actresses are turning the tables. Not only is 40 just a number, but actresses are also actually getting meatier roles in their 40s – parts which are much better and much more meaningful than what they used to get in their 20s. A big part of this change has come because actresses themselves have started becoming producers. One of the pioneers in bringing about this change was Dia Mirza.

Dia Mirza talks to Prateek Sur about why she ventured into production, how many other actresses like her are now turning film producers, how they’re all able to have a say in the content, and how they’re all getting to bring more stories of women to the forefront. She also opens up about how she has been having the best years of her career, in terms of acting as well, now in her 40s. Excerpts from the candid chat:

Are you getting more meaningful characters to portray in your 40s than what you used to get in your younger days in the film industry? Is ageism among actresses a thing of the past now?

It is a powerful recognition and intervention that I am playing the best parts of my life now when I am 40. This is just so amazing, liberating, empowering, and wonderful. It is a reflection of the fact that there are individuals in the industry that are evolving. And it is proof of the fact that you have to remain persistent, and consistent and want to continue to push boundaries as a performer, opportunities will open up for you. I believe ageism was something women had to contend with. Every time I get to play a powerful character in a good film, I am challenging that norm, resetting the big gap and divide that the industry had created for women post the age of 35 and limiting them only to playing certain kinds of parts.

Just like you, many other actresses are also venturing into production, which never used to happen in the past. Deepika, Priyanka, Alia – everyone is producing on their own. How do you see this change?

When I first became a producer, I was told that it is a very tough job and that it is not a field for a woman. I guess it was said with the intention to protect me. There were just not enough actresses producing films and I think one or two actresses had a partnership with one or two big stars. For example, Juhi Chawla and Shah Rukh Khan set up production companies like Red Chillies, a very unique partnership that went on to make lots of successful films together. It was not at all common in the past. Firstly, if a female actor chose to do anything else other than acting, people in the industry interpreted that as a lack of interest in the profession and think “oh she’s not acting ever again, she is just going to produce movies now”. It is a very strange thing but people need to understand that women and men can play various parts within a lifetime and do different things simultaneously and be effective in every job. I find that things have changed a lot when people like me and Anushka set up a production company at the peak of their careers and were followed by many others. I think it kind of propelled more women to create more stories. It is a fantastic thing like I said before, we need more women at the forefront of making decisions and driving stories. It is amazing how women are doing more now than ever before.

What do you think stopped women before entering into film production? Is it, not a safe space for a woman to be in?

The truth is that there are too few women producers. Hence, when more women choose to become producers it improves representation. When I chose to become a producer, I did it to be able to tell the stories I truly believed in. When I choose to tell a story it is with the intent to benefit society and to entertain.

Any recent film or show that you saw and felt, I wish I was a part of this?

I have always wanted to be a part of a period drama or a historical story and I’ve always been told that my personality type suits a periodical story. I've always wondered why no one has cast me in a periodical story yet. There are a lot of interesting movies around, I’d love to be a part of something like that.

On parting notes, if you hadn’t won the Miss Asia Pacific International, do you think you would have still made it to films? Or were there other career plans?

I started getting film offers after I won Miss India Asia Pacific, Films were always meant to be a part of my journey. Of course, the international title helped a lot because it just helped me get into films. Now that I discovered my love and my joy for cinema, I think I would have found another way to fumble into it other than the way I did.