India, Oct. 22 -- Actor Dia Mirza, speaking in an interview published by Hindustan Times on Oct. 21, 2026, said she was “sidelined from feature films” after her films did not work at the box office, as Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001) marks 25 years this month.
Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein and early career
Mirza said she made her Bollywood debut at 19, opposite R Madhavan in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, after winning the Miss Asia Pacific International crown in 2000.
She described the impact of early setbacks, saying, “When my films didn’t work at the box office, I was honestly bunked from feature films. And that can be a huge emotional setback to a young and aspiring actor.”
Shift in priorities and producing films
Mirza said that by 2004-0...