Article on Divya Dutta-Mumbai mirror

Divya retorts

Says she is too unwell to do Jhulka's play

Subhash K Jha

Divya Dutta hasn't been keeping too well. Her colleague and co-star Ayesha Jhulka's behaviour isn't making her life easier.

"What's her problem in life?" Divya wants to know. Sounding distressed she says, "The fact is, I've been having terrible migraines and black-outs. She can't even imagine what I go through. During shoots and dubbing I get to rest after a while. But how can I go on stage for two uninterrupted hours? My doctor has told me not to be loud. Ayesha contradicts herself blissfully. She says I've been missing from the rehearsals. In the same breath she says I've sent her a letter informing her of my absence. How can I be missing if I've sent her a letter? She says I ditched her at the eleventh hour. But the play is in the month of May! I sent her a three-month notice, which is good enough. How can she tell me I ditched her? And who's she to monitor my health? She thinks I should lie down and look ill? Why should I do that? Am I answerable to her or anyone?"

Divya is also miffed about Ayesha Jhulka's repeated reference to J.P. Dutta's Umrao Jaan. "Why does she keep bringing JP Saab's unit in our conversations? Umrao Jaan has a lot more going for itself than a stupid fight between two actresses. My decision to not to do her play Mujhe Rang De has nothing to do with our fight in Jaipur. She wants to know why mother has been speaking on my behalf. Why shouldn't my mother speak? She has been threatening us. Her organiser Naresh Oberoi told me that my behaviour will cost me dearly. "

Ayesha has sent Divya a legal notice. "There are certain work ethics. And Ayesha needs to follow them…I'll reply to her legal notice. I've nothing to hide."