Actor Divya Dutta presents the story of her mother in a moving memoir titled ‘Me & Ma’ that was formally released in Chandigarh on International Women’s Day.
Her eyes still mist up at the mention of her mother. A mother who was also her best friend, closest confidante, her strength and her ‘soulmate’. Losing a loved one is painful and for well-known actor Divya Dutta, who was brought up single-handedly by her mom after her father’s early demise, coping up with the loss of her mother, Nalini Dutta hasn’t been easy.
.jpg)
Photo By: Vikram Joy
But as her mother lay hospitalised in Mumbai, Divya knew she had to tell her mother’s story that celebrated zindagi. “After her loss, I sat staring at the laptop, not able to pen a single word. I would cry my heart out. And then one day, it just happened. It took me two months but it all came with a flow. It was though she hand-held me,” shares Dutta who has penned it all in a moving memoir titled ‘Me & Ma’ (Penguin/Rs 399). Actor Shabana Azmi has written the foreword.
.jpg)
Photo By: Vikram Joy
While the book was formally released recently by Amitabh Bachchan, the book launch in Chandigarh was perfectly timed with International Women’s Day. And in her affable style, the actor read out passages from her book and candidly shared nuggets from her life and her mother’s relationship with her. “She was a pillar of strength in trying times but she also did not forget to have fun. What she gave ne was priceless – a beautiful journey – the memorable and cherished experiences and lessons which I put into my roles and relationships with all my heart. Writing this book has been cathartic for me,” said Dutta who was bo and raised in Ludhiana.
Chandigarh holds special memories and as Dutta mentions, “My mom went with me wherever I went. No trip to Chandigarh would be complete without a visit to Sector 17, relishing chaat-tikki and of course ice-cream.” The book, written in a candid, straight-forward style is also endearing, just like her newspaper columns. “I love these two professions of acting and writing as they give you freedom of expression,” remarked the actor who is getting rave reviews for her book already with requests for translations in Hindi and Punjabi.
Speaking of Punjabi, the actor is currently shooting for a first of its kind Punjabi thriller that also stars actor Mukul Dev. It’s going to be an equally busy year for her in Bollywood. There’s ‘Babumoshai Bandookbaz’ directed by Kushan Nandy starring actor Nawazuddin Siddique, ‘Ram Singh Charlie’ directed by ‘Filmistaan’ director Nitin Kakkar, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s next and one by director Amol Gupte. “I am also set to work on a period film but can’t give too many details at the moment,” said the actor who would be taking her book to other cities in the country before she dives back into work. Ma would be proud.
