Divya Dutta recalls barging into Sonu Nigam's room, crying during moments of emotional vulnerability: ‘One doesn't forget such things'

Indian Express

6 days ago

Are celebrity friendships truly real? Or are they all simply faking their attachment to or affection for each other to make headlines or for personal gain? From the expansive world of music to Hollywood, Bollywood and beyond, fans and observers have long had this doubt. Although it's impossible to provide a blanket answer to this question — and yes, publicity stunts are quite common — there certainly have also been friendships that transcend the boundaries of the flashy world. Although they are probably far and few, they do exist, and renowned actor Divya Dutta's recent social media post for her 'bestie', legendary playback singer Sonu Nigam, stands as a testament to this.
Sharing on Instagram a video comprising pictures of them over the years, Divya, on the occasion of the singer's birthday on July 30, had opened up about how their bond has 'stood the test of time'. Recalling Sonu's warm gestures, including being there for her whenever she's in an emotionally vulnerable state, she described him as her 'constant', underscoring their deep camaraderie.
In an exclusive interview with SCREEN, Divya Dutta elaborated on their relationship and how her friends, in general, keep her anchored. 'I began with him. I still remember those beautiful times when I would barge into his room while he was doing his makeup for shows, saying, 'You continue with your work; I'm going to sit here and cry.' He would be like, 'Okay, sit and cry.' One doesn't forget such things,' she recalled.
Sharing how he's been there for her and has always had her back, Divya said, 'I now love speaking on stage, but there was a time when it used to make me very nervous. He taught me how to interact with the audience.'
She continued, 'In life, I think you're all about friends. They keep you sailing, especially when you're working (in such a field) and are away from your families for long periods. Even otherwise, it's your friends who keep you aligned with yourself, grounded, make fun of you, and tell you who you are. Particularly when you enter this make-believe world, chances are that you could get swayed by all the love and attention. It's your friends who keep you anchored by making you realise what you actually are, saying, 'Listen, you're this. So, shut up and sit down.' That's very important.'
Renowned for her work in Bollywood and Punjabi cinema, Divya Dutta recently made her Telugu debut in a key role in Mayasabha, the political drama streaming series created by Deva Katta.
Anandu Suresh is a Deputy Copy Editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at [e-mail]. ... Read More