A woman doesn’t have to rebel against her cultural roots to achieve empowerment, says actor Dia Mirza as she believes the portrayal of progressive female as bold doesn’t hold true for a vast majority. The actor said her latest movie Dhak Dhak, which released in theatres countrywide on Friday, presents the aspirations of a culturally-rooted Indian woman.
“I feel a certain language, tone has been assigned to women, who are being depicted as progressive. While that may be true for them, it doesn’t define the vast majority of women, who are seeking agency. “It (the film) is so important for the rest of those women who don’t use foul language, who are not sexually avert, who are rooted in culture but are still seeking agency and empowerment. This is the story that will give those women the opportunity to say that,” Mirza told PTI in an interview.
The actor, who essays the role of Uzma, a mechanic and a housewife in the movie about four women bikers, said at this stage in her career, she wants to play impactful roles.
“I want to be part of stories that make a difference. Like, ‘Kaafir’ (her 2019 OTT series) was a role of a lifetime. It was such a powerful story, written with such nuance. It shaped my journey as an artist. I was waiting for years to find something like that. Then we also have something like ‘Dhak Dhak’ for the big screen.”
The film also features Ratna Pathak Shah, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanjana Sanghi, “Dhak Dhak” who embark on a biking expedition filled with emotions, adventures and
self-discovery.
Actress Dia Mirza emphasized the portrayal of progressive women without defying their culture and roots in a new film titled “Dhak Dhak.” She expressed that women often inherit fear and restrictions but can seek agency without rebelling against their cultural values.
Mirza criticized the stereotyping of female stars as mere decoration in commercial projects and the lack of importance given to their characters. She shared her experience of playing both typical and balanced roles in her career and highlighted the need for more diverse and empowered female characters in mainstream films. “Dhak Dhak” is a collaborative production set to challenge such stereotypes.