Veer-Zaara at 20: Divya Dutta on Why She Hesitated to Play the Unforgettable Shabbo
Veer-Zaara, a timeless Bollywood romance, will complete 20 years on November 12. The much-decorated film by Yash Chopra and starring Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Rani Mukerji has emerged as one of the most loved films to have come out of the stable of Yash Raj Films. As fans reminisce about the film’s legacy, Divya Dutta, who played Shabbo—the loyal friend to Zaara in Preity Zinta—remembers her memories of working with this iconic film and the special camaraderie she shared with her co-stars.
Divya Dutta’s “Euphoric” Journey with Veer-Zaara
In an exclusive chat with Screen, Divya describes her time on Veer-Zaara as “euphoric.” “This film was a milestone for me,” she says. I had always dreamed of working in a Yash Chopra film. I was doing Kadam when Aditya Chopra saw my work. So, soon after, YRF called and said that Adi and Yash uncle wanted to meet me. I was thrilled, she added. If for nothing else, the story was captivating enough to be the kind of love story needed today—the patience and depth not usually offered by social media.
Divya, though, recalls initial doubts about playing Shabbo, fearing it might lead to typecasting. “I had mixed feelings,” she admits. I wanted to be involved in something so massive, but then I also did not want to be typecast as constantly playing the same ‘supporting friend’ sort of role. I was worried that it might limit future work opportunities. Adi saw the hesitation in my eyes and reassured me by saying, ‘This isn’t just any role; it’s special, and people will remember you for it’. I spoke to my mom, and she advised me to add something unique to Shabbo, which would make her unforgettable. That’s what stayed in my mind, and this is what helped the character stand out.”
Yash and Aditya Chopra’s Confidence in Divya
The interesting part is that Divya revealed she was actually the only choice for Yash and Aditya Chopra for that role. “They were sure I was right for it, though I was the one hesitating,” she laughs. “In my head, I was thinking, ‘Should I do this?’ But they had no doubts.”
“Attention to detail is what Aditya Chopra brought to Shabbo.”. He prevailed upon Divya to perfect her dialect, immersing her in the language and style of speech to create an authentic portrayal. “Adi was very thorough,” she recalls. “He arranged for me to practice speaking with people from Pakistan, London, and various other places to capture Shabbo’s accent perfectly.”. I’d even converse with other kinds of people-for instance, a house owner to a driver, so I could develop the right tone for that character. This rearing really came off at the right time when the audiences connect with Shabbo’s mannerisms and voice.”
The Magic of Shah Rukh Khan
Co-star Shah Rukh Khan was another high on Divya’s list. She describes him as “a delight”. “Shah Rukh is my favorite co-star,” she beams warmly. On the first day, he came up to me and asked if he could hear my dialect—he had heard so much about it. He even borrowed a line I used in one of his scenes! Beyond that, he was very supportive and made me feel comfortable. We shared plenty of laughs, especially during one scene where I had to get up from a charpai (cot) that kept collapsing.”. It fell full on me once, then we couldn’t stop laughing afterwards. That memory always gives a smile to my face.
To commemorate the 20th year of Veer-Zaara, YRF has re-released the film on 600 international screens with back-to-back fan events in Toronto, New York, Melbourne, Dubai, Istanbul, and Singapore. More importantly, this re-release is special because it reinstates the previously deleted song “Yeh Hum Aa Gaye Hai Kahaan”. That beautiful song would have been one of the most gorgeous pieces in the film, unsung in the making. The new addition, therefore, adds not only a new dimension to the storyline of the film but also gives the fans a brand-new way to link the journey of the characters and admire their love and passion for each other.
Reflecting on the film’s staying power, Divya feels that Veer-Zaara has enjoyed such consistency because of its themes of love, sacrifice, and loyalty. “This is not just a film-it is the story that speaks to the soul. It exemplifies love cutting across borders, religion, and challenges. Working with Yash Chopra, I realized his vision was to create something universal-a story that would connect people for years to come.”. I’m grateful to be part of something so meaningful.”
Re-released in theaters, the Veer-Zaara re-issue is an opportunity for fans to connect with one of the most loved love stories to have ever come out of Bollywood. For Divya, memories of her time on set, the bond she shares with all of her co-stars, and especially Shah Rukh, make Veer-Zaara a timeless experience. With its legacy intact, Veer-Zaara continues to capture the essence of Bollywood romance, proving some stories never fade.
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