'My image is that of a tough woman...' Kamlesh of the Chiraiya web series spoke from her heart, explaining why she does such films.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Priyanka Singh, Mumbai. For an artist, the greatest strength is to constantly learn, because that's where the characters become authentic and the lives they live. This is what actress Divya Dutta, known for portraying strong and meaningful female roles, says. Recently, in JioHotstar's web series, Chiraiya, Divya addressed the serious issue of marital rape. Divya often receives powerful female roles.

On this she says that I don't know how this happened, because I was a girl who used to stand behind her mother holding her dupatta. I considered my world there to be the safest. I did not know how to fight with life. Gradually my mother took me forward by holding my finger. When she left this world, I had to take care of myself. I have played strong roles, due to which my image has become that of a tough woman. Many times people do not even talk to me saying that you look strong.

Does Divya want to do a comedy film?

It takes me two days to make friends with everyone on set. I have to go and talk to them face to face. (Laughs.) I think I should do comedy films now. In this show, Divya plays a woman so bound by social norms that it takes time for her to understand right from wrong. She understands things only after someone explains them to her.

I feel art from my heart – Divya

Regarding playing a role that differs from her own ideology, Divya says, " No one comes prepared; everyone acts according to their own thoughts and ideologies, whether right or wrong. This show is well written. I had my director in front of me, who was correcting me every step of the way."

Sometimes I felt like watching it on the monitor. Then, looking at the director's face, I knew the shot was right. As an actor, you also act on screen; there's no other way than to feel it; there's no shortcut.

What is Divya's character in Chiraiya?

When asked whose explanations help Divya understand things easily, she says that anyone who understands your perspective, yet explains it honestly without imposing their own judgment on you. If you keep the other person's perspective in mind and tell them what to do, they will understand at least a little, even if not 100%. My mother used to tell me, "We should accept life as it is." But I've always been rebellious.

I used to refuse to accept this. Well, gradually I realized that life is the way it is, first accept it, then react to it by taking your next step, but not immediately. You learn this on your own, in your own time, at your own pace, whenever you feel like it. I learn from my elders, from people who are more educated and knowledgeable than me.

What causes insecurity?

There are many artistically intelligent people in our industry. Spending time with them changes my attitude. I also play roles that change others' attitudes and teach them something. In this show, Divya's character becomes insecure that if a better daughter-in-law comes to the house, who will care about her? Has this ever happened in the acting world? She says that seeing actors who are better than her on set inspires her, "What an amazing job she did. Would I do the same?"

Divya said, "It's a different feeling. Maybe I would have done it differently, but if that artist has done a great job, they should be given credit. We should celebrate the goodness of those around us. I don't feel insecure about anyone. My competition is with myself. You can look at others' work as much as you want, but it's more important to improve your performance than yesterday."

I always learn from the person in front of me

If today I become too confident that I know everything, then see how my performance deteriorates. If I come to the set with hunger and say tell me, what new can I do, then the person in front of me will also feel that I have to learn. Stopping learning is the end of an artist. Otherwise, being insecure is a feeling. Even if not on the set, I often feel insecure as to why a certain friend is not talking to me, why is he talking to him. Then I explain to myself that hello, you still nurture this feeling. Then a voice comes from within saying yes, I do.

Read More: 'My image is that of a tough woman...' Kamlesh of the Chiraiya web series spoke from her heart, explaining why she does such films.