India, Oct. 21 -- At 19, fresh from winning the Miss Asia Pacific International crown in 2000, Dia Mirza made her Bollywood debut opposite R Madhavan in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001). As the film, which initially failed at the box office before gaining cult status, completes 25 years this month, the 44-year-old actor reflects on being sidelined after her early films failed and how the experience shaped her career.

"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," she says.

By 2004-05, Mirza had stopped chasing stardom, choosing instead to focus on stories she believed in and work with people who made her feel respected. "I'v...