Chiraiya, starring Divya Dutta, Sanjay Mishra and others, have started a much-needed conversation...on marital rape, how everyone knows about it, some even face it, but rarely speak up. The series makes a clear and urgent statement — marriage is not consent, and a wedding does not take away a woman’s right to her body, voice, or choice. We speak with Divya Dutta to know more on her role, and how the show has become a converstation starter. Excerpts:
Which part of the character in Chiraiya struck you the most?
First of all, the story in itself. I think not every subject brings a story which really needs to be told and brings society to think that we are really, you know, not addressing a few issues and normalising them. And this story very beautifully reiterates it in a very poetic way.
Two, I think the role was really beautiful, like every reason for me to say yes.
Do you usually have a list of things that you check before saying yes to a project?
I am instinctive. I decide instinctively, and then I think the rest follows.
Is content always the king for you? Will you also choose a project if it pays you almost nothing?
I've done that in my life. I have done so many things. See, it depends. I worked with a filmmaker who put his house on sale to make a film. I wouldn't charge him. But yeah, there is money available.
Chiraiya talks about a social issue that is rarely discussed openly. What's your take on this?
I suppose we are conditioned to be brought up in a certain way, and when you see Chiraiya, many people have seen it and given it so much love, with a lot of resonance and relatability, that I'm hearing from everyone that it's amazing. It's like everyone wanted to talk about it, and suddenly they found a show which talks about it. So what resonated is that we need to have conversations, we need to address these uncomfortable questions in a very simple, simplistic and honest way, where life becomes easy within the realms of a family.
In recent times, a lot of films questioning different social issues have been made. Do you think this medium will work even with the rural population of our country?
The base that we've shown is a joint family, and I think a lot of people are watching it. The amazing part about OTT is that you know every household can watch it, whether with the family or alone. I'm sure every audience will find their zone to watch it, and I think this is a perfect place to bring in this show.
You are also a writer. Do you also like to talk about these social issues in your books?
I do, but there's always, what do you say, I wouldn't say a deliberate attempt to give a message, but I do reiterate one thing in everything I do is sensitivity. There has to be empathy, which I think we all have but sometimes miss out on in the world of mobile phones and the fast-paced life. Somewhere we need to stand still, and you know, just get hold of the society around us, people around, just hold their hands, that thing that I bring into my writing.
Is directing or producing on your cards?
I've gotten lots of offers, but right now, I am a greedy actor, and now is the time when I'm getting roles written for movies. I'd rather totally enjoy that thing.
With films, do you think you also grow not just as an actor but also as a human? If yes, how?
Every role teaches you something. In this case, there's the vulnerability, there's a system she has to be in. You know, everyone said, you keep yourself aside, it's not your business. I mean, no, don't be uncomfortable about it. But the thing is, I learnt what a woman would do in those circumstances and still stand by. What she tried was right but wasn't an easy thing.
Also, I think you meet so many people, you grow up into a new family when you join a new project, you don't know who teaches you, what you take from those lessons, you have to go as a clean slate and say I'm ready to learn, not consciously something you will learn from someone for sure. And I always go as a student.
Any upcoming projects?