Divya Dutta's latest book Stars In My Sky is about 32 of her co-actors/directors whom she calls her 'stars'

Mona

This girl from Sahnewal, Punjab has won accolades and awards during her 25-year-long stint as an actor in Bollywood which one can only dream of. Not just restricted to screen, Divya Dutta is now enjoying her new journey as an author.

If her Me and Ma had an autobiographical tone, so has her latest — The Stars In My Sky. It's about 32 of her co-actors/directors whom Divya calls her 'stars', those who brightened her journey in the film world. And, you have guessed it right—right from Amitabh Bachchan to Shabana Azmi to Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Dharmendra, Juhi Chawla to Sonali Bendre, here's a book that gives a peep into the lives of who's who of the tinsel town!

It was the love that Divya got for her columns, and Me and Ma, that encouraged her to write the second book. "I asked myself what was it that I was passionate about? The only answer came to me was the world of movies and my journey. What made me smile? It was the people I met along my journey. It's always about your journey, but also about those who make it pleasant for you, who hold your hand, pat your back, bring a smile to your face," opens up the National Award winner.

In Chandigarh, for Literati 21, she talked about her writing, read excerpts from the book and shared experiences that made her laugh, cry, or even die at times!

The Stars In My Sky is an honest expression of her experiences with the stars of the Hindi film industry. Candidly she puts how she dreamt of being Salman Khan's heroine. A chapter dedicated to him mentions how a Maine Pyar Kiya fan, she watched the film multiple times, and how she attended a muhurat dreaming that one look at her and Salman would make her a part of his movie.

To share things that probably every girl dreams of but seldom says, what makes Divya bare her feelings? "I think there is nothing more beautiful than honesty. One can pretend or be diplomatic, but those reading or watching you act always relate to your honesty."

In the book and the session, Shabbo of Veer Zaara shared about her journey - from being a newcomer to becoming the one for whom roles are now being written. She also shared an anecdote when she was trying to impress her crush Salman Khan. For a scene, as she struggled to pose as a dead woman, someone went and ranted out to the superstar - 'Nayi ladki ko marna nahi aa raha'. And, how he came and helped her act.

While writing is what Divya intends to pursue further; there are couple of films that are lined up - Dhaakad in which she plays a villain, Umesh Shukla's Aankh Micholi, Tahira Kashyap's Sharma Ji Ki Beti and two international projects. All through it, her love for Punjab stays intact. "Punjab has changed, but Punjabiyat is the same, love and warmth has stayed," says the actor.

The Battle of Longewala: Remembering our Heroes with Gurjot Kaler and Hardeep Chandpuri; The Poetic Rendezvous with Archana R. Singh, Jupinderjit Singh & Lily Swarn in conversation with Nisha Luthra; Soldier 2.0: Planning Ahead with Col Sunil Prem and Col Avinash Sharma; Rama's Footsteps with Neelesh Kulkarni and Niharika Bhuwania; and Pehchaan Punjab Di: Sur, Saaz te Sangeet with Dolly Guleria and Sunaini Guleria Sharma with Ninder were the other sessions at UT Guest House.

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