My personal memories of Dia Mirza are many and layered. From 2000, when she won the Miss Asia Pacific title, to 2001 when her debut film, Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein released, a film that didn’t work at the box office then but lives on today as a cult favourite, to 2005 when she delivered successes like Parineeta and Dus. Then came Sanju more recently, where even in a brief role she left a lasting impact. In between, she turned producer with films like Bobby Jasoos, Love Breakups Zindagi, Panha, among others.
But cinema was never her whole story. Mirza’s parallel journey has been just as visible: community service and activism, including wildlife advocacy, climate action, awareness campaigns, advocating for girl’s education, among others.
She wears many hats and wears them well, which makes me wonder how much of her remains unseen, the quieter rhythm behind her public life we think we know. Mirza has achieved much and yet shows no signs of slowing down. We sit in her Bandra living room, the first home she purchased in Mumbai–a space that reflects her personality. It carries a quiet calm, sunlight streams in through large windows, the plants swaying gently in the breeze. Inside, artworks adorn every corner, yet there is room to breathe and unwind. It sets the tone for our conversation.
When we ask what continues to drive her, Dia Mirza answers simply. "The fact that there is so much still undone.” But our day out with Mirza wasn’t about her work alone. She kicks off, “I think I am first a mother and an environmentalist…there are many other responsibilities and roles, but it would start with mother, environmentalist—and daughter.”
So, what’s an ordinary day like? “A whole bunch of things,” she smiles. She is an early riser. After drinking a mug of warm water with lime, she meditates for 15 minutes. She then wakes up Avyaan, her son, and gets him ready for school. A smile lights up her face while speaking about him. “We do affirmations, listen to music; it’s super fun.”
After dropping him off to school, she prepares for the rest of her day: meetings, calls, and any writing work that she might have. Afternoons are for picking up her son, having lunch together, and coordinating with her daughter, Samaira (now 16), for her classes. “I try to finish work by five, so that I am back home in time for dinner and bedtime stories.”
Nights are intentionally quiet, spending time with her husband, Vaibhav Rekhi, and family, chatting, walking, and playing games. “As a family, we rarely watch screens now because we try to be mindful about avoiding them two hours before sleep.”
Despite the chaos of film sets, events, and her environmental work as the ambassador for Wildlife Trust of India and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), Mirza tries to remain present in each moment. She finds calm in everyday rituals: morning meditation, walking barefoot in the lawn, and spending time with her children. “Children are remarkable reminders of stillness,” she says. “Even when they are playing, all of their attention is just on their [surroundings]—a beautiful way to achieve stillness.”
Her bond with music is noticeable; her playlist is named “love is still the answer” with songs like Love Someone and Shallow topping the list. Speakers lie in various corners of her home beside the many books she has accumulated over the years.
After more than 25 years in the public eye, Mirza recognises the affection behind people’s curiosity, but admits it can sometimes feel uncomfortable. “I have been in the public eye for 26 years now, and the first thing I’ve understood is that people consider you their own, which is a privilege,” she says.
“It can be intrusive at times. It’s extremely uncomfortable when dealing with a loved one or your own medical event, or when people ask for a photograph or autograph—it feels very awkward,” she adds.
Otherwise, Mirza is comfortable with aspects of her life being open because hiding is a huge drain on time, energy, and resources. “There are many private moments in the day, because we never invite the press to them. If they happen to be around, you acknowledge their presence, because it’s important to recognise that they care and that, at some level, it matters to them.”
So, what keeps her going? “The fact that there is so much still undone,” she shares. “I know many people working in the climate space or pushing gender equity feel defeated, especially with current world events and backward-moving policies. It can be debilitating, but as advocates for the Sustainable Development Goals, we promised to continue our work—it has to be done and the work itself drives motivation,” she adds.
Mirza also feels deeply inspired by her children. “The bare minimum we can do for them as parents is to be mindful that we are all citizens, and they will inherit a climate, environment, and world shaped by our choices.”
While Mirza is an achiever with a career spanning over a quarter of a century, her definition of success is simple. “It is the privilege of saying no to all that makes your heart unhappy.” And luxury? She smiles, “While many people associate luxury with material things, given the times we’re living in, luxury lies in the basics: clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and healthy food to eat.”
I’m almost wrapping up my conversation with Mirza when her son calls out, “Mama, I want to be with you.” With the brightest smile, she reaches for his hand. As Mirza says, true luxury lies in the basics.
Credits:
Photography: Taras Taraporewala
Produced by: Tanya Malik
Stylist: Divyak D’Souza
Hair and makeup: Harry Rajput
All outfits: Matsya