Dia Mirza Recalls Sharing Noodles With Lara Because 'Paise Nahi The' While 'Priyanka Had Strong Support'
Dia Mirza opened up about comparisons with Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta and how each of them eventually carved out distinct paths in their acting careers.
The year 2000 was a landmark moment in Indian pageantry, with all three Miss India winners securing international crowns—Lara Dutta as Miss Universe, Priyanka Chopra as Miss World, and Dia Mirza as Miss Asia Pacific. Naturally, comparisons followed as all three transitioned into the film industry.
In a recent interview with Zoom, Dia Mirza opened up about these comparisons and how each of them eventually carved out distinct paths in their acting careers.
Dia Mirza on her comparisons with Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta
Priyanka, who was still a teenager at the time, had a different start compared to Lara and Dia, who were in their early 20s. Reflecting on this, Dia shared, “Priyanka still had some support from her parents, but Lara and I didn’t. Lara was already living here because she was modelling and she had opened her heart to me and shared her apartment, which was the size of a matchbox. I remember helping her pack for her Miss Universe and going away."
She continued, "Priyanka was just doing extraordinarily well, almost from the get-go. She had other battles to fight and deal with, and some of those intensified with time. But she was doing really well. I really had awe and respect for it. I remember thinking to myself, 'My God, if I was half the actress she is, how much further I would be able to go’.”
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Dia on her financial struggles
Dia also recalled the financial struggles she and Lara faced while starting their journeys in Mumbai, managing expenses solely with their earnings from modeling. “We (Lara and I) shared Wai Wai noodles because paise nahi the (we had no money). Lara and I modelled and saved that money. Neither of us used any money from our parents to do anything. Even in Priyanka's situation, she had solid support, and her parents were very involved, but with us, we just had what we had earned and saved."
"There'd be days when savings would run out, and payments would be due. We would be sitting in these expensive gowns coming back from fancy events and choosing Wai Wai because that’s all we could afford,” she said.
While both Lara and Priyanka found acting success early on with Andaaz, Dia admitted her journey took longer. However, over time, each of them established their own space in the industry, putting the comparisons to rest.
Dia Mirza's Recent Work
Dia was most recently seen in Nadaaniyan, where she played Ibrahim Ali Khan's mother. The film, which marked Ibrahim's acting debut, also starred Khushi Kapoor, Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, and Jugal Hansraj. Released on Netflix on March 7, the film received largely negative reviews.
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