Exclusive: Divya Agarwal on being turned down for good roles on OTT; shares ‘Casting directors told me reality TV wale ko nahi lete hai’

Reality TV personality and actress Divya Agarwal is not the one to mince words. She speaks her mind – be it for professional or personal reasons. The actress is looking forward to doing good work and unabashedly she took to social media and directed an open request to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. In a heartfelt and candid conversation with ETimes TV, Divya spoke about wishing to break out of the typecast, get to be a part of a remarkable show that will speak for itself, how the past one year post her break-up has given her a clearer vision to life and a lot more.

I had enjoyed doing reality shows, modeling and everything. It gave me a lot of success and happiness until now. I have seen many actors’ journeys beginning from the theatre. They had guidance on how to go about doing films. I am somewhere in the middle. After giving 3 good web shows, I feel I am not even there at the forefront. There are big names, who trusted me with these shows. I am getting the same type of shows, which I have been offered for all these years.

I have been doing the same things for four years. What’s the point? My team at times tells me to take on a project because of good money and it will boost my social media. But, I feel I am back to square one. Professionally, I want to do a good show and then spend time with my family. I don’t want to be just doing reality shows to prove my bravery. Yes, I might have fought with one of the biggest directors of Bollywood in BB OTT, but that was a show. In real life, I am fighting more serious battles. I see life in a wiser perspective.

There are a few channels I know but I still don’t know how to approach them for the digital shows. I had gotten in touch with a few casting directors to see how it works, I was told, ‘Arre reality show walon ko nahi lete hai’. That made me question myself, ‘Am I too overexposed for any role?’ I am just stuck with reality shows, I don’t think it’s a profession.

I need one project that will speak for itself. All this while, I had to tell people to watch this web series to see my work. There is a lot of work to be done. That was my argument that people troll me and that I am only known for my relationships. But sorry, I have put everything out in the market. From my songs, dance numbers, solo work and everything. I have put all my work yet the audience has only chosen to focus on my personal life. That’s not my problem. In my last few works, I have shared platforms with big names like Kunal Khemu, Tanuj Virwani, Supriya Pathak and others but they didn’t make the noise as they should. I just want to know how to get into the serious acting circle. I don’t know how to go about it. After casting is done, I learn that a show is being made. I have become so blunt in last one year that anywhere I see an opportunity, I ask people and say directly ‘take my audition, I think I can do this’. If I am looking for good work, I am sure there are casting directors looking for good actors.

The best part of this is I am enjoying this drill. I have work but I have been typecasted and I want to break out of that image. Main typecast ho chuki hu. It makes me think, have I made a mistake by doing those shows in the past? I cannot be crying over it. I have made a lot of money, fame and followers with Bigg Boss. Mera ghar chal raha hai. I want to do roles like Shefali Shah. She is doing solid roles and the shows speak for themselves. I did reality shows to show my raw side and I feel it’s my strength. I just want the casting directors and directors to give me a chance to atleast audition.

There was a theatre workshop going on in Prithvi theatre and I sat there throughout the day to see how things work. I was observing everything. I planned to join some theatre as well. I also want to enhance my craft. Somewhere, I believe in the next 15 years, it might be a beautiful story. I want to inspire people with my journey.

This one year, life has been much clearer to me – who I want to marry, how I want to marry, with whom I want to keep my friendships with, who I don’t want to entertain anymore, the kind of roles I want to do, is crystal clear. No one can bribe me now and sign me for any show. Even when my team tells me, I am clear that they can leave but I am not bringing money by doing something that won’t make me happy. I am not running after shows to get fame or money.

I have signed a few projects. I can’t divulge much. I am earning through social media, through my fashion brand. It’s not like I don’t have work or money. I am in a better state.