Dia Mirza: I'll get married within three years

Dia Mirza is one busy lady these days. The former Miss Asia Pacific has stepped into the role of a producer with her upcoming film Love Breakups Zindagi (LBZ), starring her and Zayed Khan, which releases this Friday.

In conversation with Sonil Dedhia, Dia talks about her personal experiences of love, break-ups and zindagi, the man in her life -- Sahil Singha, who has also directed the film and her experience of working on her maiden production.

You recently said that whoever said that opposites attract is an idiot. Why did you say that?

I think certain things were relative when I made the statement. In today's world the dynamics of a relationship have changed. The level of compromise that two individuals are willing to make in their relationship has changed. It's no longer about being rich or poor it is the values that matter and if you can't find a partner who has similar values, it is difficult to walk the path together. That's why I say opposites might attract but only temporarily.

Are there a lot of similarities between you and Sahil Sangha?

Oh yes, the first thing that you want in a partner is a connection and more than anything else, it's a mental connection. It will be a little extreme to say that we complete each other's sentences, but I really think that we have a similar train of thought. The reason we connect is because the way we want to live our lives is very similar. We are not here to change each other and I think at a certain level a relationship is about complementing each other. 

So, for Dia Mirza, a relationship is about complementing and not compromising?

Absolutely. Because life is filled with compromises. Why should one do that with a very integral part or decision of life?

LBZ somewhere reminds me of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

Well, you are putting us in great company (Smiles). It is a slice-of-life film which deals with real people. I don't think any character in the movie is exaggerated or shown to be heroic. The film is about the journey of nine characters who are financially sound and are sorted with their careers, but they are at a stage where they need to take a decision about their life partners.

How would you define love?

I think love is a feeling that encompasses every life. For me, love is happiness. It is a feeling that allows you to understand that if you have no one to share it with you are never going to enjoy it. It is the most selfless emotion in the world.

Is love an option or a choice?

I think love is a universal emotion, which is intrinsic to everyone. Everything that you do from the day you are born to the day you die is to give love or take love. It has so many different qualities and love does make a person's world go round.

Why production? There is a general belief that actor/actresses who don't do well get into production.

I wish it was that convenient. There are a lot of people who write about us saying that just because they didn't get work as an actor or an actress they have created an opportunity of becoming a producer. But do they have any idea of what it takes to make a film? As individuals we are all doing multiple things at one time. If a person has a platform, why wouldn't he or she use it?

Was it a conscious decision to get into production?

I never imagined I would be a producer. I think it was the love for LBZ and to be in complete control of the creative side of the film. It is a warm and tender film and I didn't want a third element to come in and disrupt the environment which we wanted to create. We wanted to make this movie ourselves and make it the way we believe it should be made. We created an environment in such a way that the whole cast and crew believes in the film and feels as if the film is their own baby. It's safe to say that we were really attached to the story.

Any particular story behind naming your production house Born Free?

The reason we named it Born Free was because we wanted to be free of fear, and I think all kinds of creativity thrive best in an environment of freedom. It is important to be on the ball and to be aware of what's happening, but you need to inherently trust the people that you're working with to deliver.

What, according to you, was the biggest challenge while making this movie?

You need a lot of creative balance, and also it is about people management. The biggest challenge for us was to make this film look the way it does within the budget we were given. The biggest role a producer plays is of a solution seeker.

Are you enjoying being a producer?

Yes (Smiles). I love cinema and after LBZ I am sure it runs in my veins and cinema is something that I wouldn't want to do away with easily (Laughs).

We spoke about love, now let's talk about break-ups as we all go through it at some point in our life. Let's not restrict break-ups only to love.

I think you have come up with an interesting interpretation of break-ups. There are many things people break up in their life. I am a very sensitive person and I take things personally. The smallest of things really affect me and I would never want to change that about me as it is the ability to feel your worse moments that gives you strength, so break-ups are good.

Would you comment on your personal break-ups?

Every one that I had was good for me as you learn from it. The last time I broke up from a relationship was more than five years ago. It was difficult to come to terms as every break-up is painful. There is a sense of ego that kicks in as everyone thinks: why did this happen to me? Then one day you get up and say it didn't work out, so move on.

Coming to the last part of the film, zindagi (life). You have been in a relation with Sahil so how has your zindagi changed?

The best part of being in a relationship is that it brings a sense of comfort. It is an unspoken feeling of security which gives you immense strength to fight the world. I never understood this till the time I came close to Sahil.

Do you follow any rules regarding your work and your relationship?

Yes. They are different for our personal and professional lives. There is some kind of a code, which we have never discussed but that we understand about each other. We don't believe in PDA (Public Displays of Affection). I don't think anybody who was working with us felt that we were in a relationship.  We are very mature about our relationship. There is a sense of sanctity and we have a lot of clarity in our relationship, as we are best friends first and then committed to each other.

Did you all take things for granted when you were on the sets?

No, never, that never happened.

A couple of years ago, in an interview you said that the next man in my life will be the one I will marry.

I was talking about Sahil (Laughs). We weren't talking about our relationship at that point of time.  I would love to get married to Sahil if he wants to marry me (Smiles).

So is marriage on the cards?

These are things that cannot be planned. I don't think either of us is ready to get into a marriage right now. I think there is a lot we want to explore and as a person Sahil wants to bring a sense of security into my life. But I am not waiting for more than three years -- you can go and tell him that! (Laughs).

Are you happy with the way your career has shaped up?

It's been beautiful. Success is a relative term. I was a girl from Hyderabad who set herself free, but I was not sure about my aspirations. I didn't know what my passions were at that time and I didn't have any godfather in the industry, which helped me learn things and deal with failures on my own.

You have completed 10 years in the industry. How do you think you have evolved personally and professionally?

It's been a roller-coaster ride. When I started out 10 years ago, I had no clue about the technicalities and I didn't know what it was to act. In Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein (her first film) I was just responding to what I was being told to do by my director. I think in all these years I have learnt to identify my weaknesses, to work on them, and to convert them into my strengths. You will see a lot of freshness in my character in LBZ.

A beauty pageant winner, actor, and now a producer. What next?

I would love to direct. I have always felt a deep desire to tell a story. The day I have a story, I will surely direct. I want to direct simple and meaningful stories. I am keen on directing a biography.

Any role you would have loved to play in a recent film?

I would have loved to play the character that Farhan Akhtar played in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Laughs).

Does the future look interesting?

Yes, it certainly does. There are a few scripts that have been sent by independent writers that we want to assess for our next production. Sahil and Zayed are ready with an action comedy which is going to be a logistical nightmare because action is a logistical nightmare and I am dreading getting into it, but sooner or later they are going to pull me in. I am also going to start shooting for a Bengali film, and I desperately need a holiday!