25th May 2023,Mumbai: In Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Divya Dutta explained why she declined the role of Farhan Akhtar’s sister. Her “huge crush” on him was intense.
A decade ago, Divya Dutta’s performance in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Bhaag Milkha Bhaag garnered her praise and a few prizes. The actor recently admitted in an interview that she first turned down the role of Ishri Kaur in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag because of her ‘big crush’ for the film’s star, Farhan Akhtar. In the movie, she portrayed his older sister.
Rakeysh, the director, was able to convince her to change her mind, nevertheless. Divya also mentioned that she had trouble recognising Farhan Akhtar when she first got to the Bhaag Milkha Bhaag location for the shoot. He exhibited exact Milkha Singh behaviour and appearance. The critically acclaimed film is a biography of the Indian Olympian and track hero, starting with the Partition of India in 1947 and progressing through his time in the Army and final ascent to the position of 400m race champion.
Why did she reject Rakeysh?
Divya revealed in a Pinkvilla interview that she was hesitant to play Farhan’s sister in the movie. She explained, “I wasn’t doing it because at the time, I had a major crush on Farhan. “Why should I play his sister”, I questioned? However, Rakeysh said, “you are a professional actor.” I responded, “Yeah, but you know.”
Rakeysh eventually persuaded Divya to reconsider, as she was his “first and last choice” for the role. The cast of the movie also included Sonam Kapoor, Yograj Singh, Art Malik, Prakash Raj, and Pavan Malhotra. Prasoon Joshi wrote the script for the movie.
Successful biopic
Though Bhaag Milkha Bhaag received two National Film Awards: one for best choreography and the other for best popular film offering wholesome entertainment. At the Zed Cine Awards, the Producers Guild Film Awards, and the International Indian Film Academy Awards, Divya took home numerous awards for Best Supporting Actress. 91-year-old Milkha Singh passed away on June 18, 2021.
Her final appearance was in the Hindi movie Anth The End. She has made appearances in the Punjabi film Maa, the short film Sheer Qorma alongside Swara Bhaskar, and the Kangana Ranaut-starring Dhaakad.
-by Kashvi Gala