"Priyanka had support from her parents, me & Lara were living in a matchbox": Dia Mirza on her journey

In a recent interview, actress Dia Mirza opened up about her journey from winning the Miss India title in 2000 to finding her own space in Bollywood. That year was a landmark for Indian pageantry, as all three finalists, Dia Mirza, Lara Dutta, and Priyanka Chopra went on to achieve international recognition. While Lara won Miss Universe and Priyanka bagged the Miss World title, Dia secured the Miss Asia Pacific crown. Naturally, the three were often compared, but as Dia highlighted, each of them eventually took distinct paths in their careers.

Dia recalled that their journeys started differently. Priyanka Chopra, who was still a teenager at the time, had strong parental support, which helped her transition smoothly into the entertainment industry. On the other hand, Dia and Lara had to manage things on their own, facing financial challenges while building their careers in Mumbai.

Speaking about their early days, Dia shared that she and Lara Dutta lived together in a tiny apartment, trying to make ends meet. With limited savings from their modeling assignments, they often struggled financially. She reminisced about times when they could only afford instant noodles after attending glamorous events, highlighting the stark contrast between their public appearances and real-life struggles. While Priyanka quickly gained traction in the industry and faced different battles of her own, Dia and Lara had to work hard to establish themselves.

Their acting careers took different trajectories. While Lara and Priyanka found early success with Andaaz, Dia took a little longer to find her footing in Bollywood. Despite the initial struggles, all three eventually found their own place in the industry, proving their talent beyond beauty pageants.

Recently, Dia was seen in Nadaaniyan, where she played the role of Ibrahim Ali Khan’s mother. The film also starred Khushi Kapoor, Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, and Jugal Hansraj. Released on Netflix on March 7, the movie marked Ibrahim’s acting debut but received largely negative reviews. Despite this, Dia continues to explore new roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

From beauty queen to a respected actress, Dia Mirza’s journey reflects resilience, perseverance, and the ability to create one’s own path in a competitive industry. Recently, Dia was seen in Nadaaniyan, where she played the role of Ibrahim Ali Khan’s mother. The film also starred Khushi Kapoor, Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, and Jugal Hansraj. Released on Netflix on March 7, the movie marked Ibrahim’s acting debut but received largely negative reviews. Despite this, Dia continues to explore new roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress.