Dia Mirza makes headlines for sharing memories of struggle,
Recalls Priyanka’s support for her and Lara Dutta at the start
Dia Mirza has made headlines for sharing memories of her and Lara Dutta's struggles at the start of their careers.
During a conversation with Zoom, Dia Mirza recalled how they shared a tiny apartment with little money in their bank accounts. She mentioned that Priyanka Chopra had strong support from her parents, whereas she and Lara had to find their way.
Priyanka Chopra, Dia Mirza, and Lara Dutta were the top finalists of the Miss India 2000 pageant. Dia shared that she and Lara Dutta struggled financially, often relying on noodles to get by. She said Priyanka’s parents strongly supported her and were actively involved in her journey.
Lara, already working as a model, generously welcomed Dia Mirza into her small living space. Dia also shared how she helped Lara pack for Miss Universe, a moment that marked a turning point in their journeys.
Dia Mirza went on to express her admiration for PeeCee’s remarkable career. She shared that the Citadel actress found success almost immediately, excelling in her career from the very beginning. While Priyanka had her own challenges to face, some of which grew more intense over time, her achievements stood out. Dia Mirza recalled being in awe of her talent and dedication, even reflecting on how much further she might have progressed if she possessed even half of Priyanka’s acting abilities.
Opening up about the financial struggles she and Lara Dutta faced, she said:
"We (Lara Dutta and I) shared Wai Wai noodles because we had no money. Lara and I modeled and saved that money. Neither of us used any money from our parents to do anything."
She continued, "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."
The actress revealed that there were moments when their savings ran low and bills piled up, yet they continued attending glamorous events in expensive gowns—only to return home and eat instant noodles, the only meal they could afford.
Dia Mirza reflected on those challenging yet humorous times, recalling how she and Lara Dutta would laugh at their situation. Dressed in glamorous rented outfits for high-profile events, they looked every bit the part of rising stars, yet their bank accounts told a different story.
Dia Mirza was most recently seen in Nadaaniyan, where she played the mother of Ibrahim Ali Khan’s character, Arjun Mehta. The film, which marked Ibrahim’s debut, also featured Khushi Kapoor as Pia Jai Singh. Directed by Shauna Gautam and produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, Nadaaniyan is a romantic drama exploring love and relationships among young adults. The cast also included Mahima Chaudhary, Suniel Shetty, and Jugal Hansraj. The film premiered on Netflix on March 7.