Divya Dutta on acting technicalities: 'Seniors held my hand and guided me'
Synopsis
Divya Dutta, during promotions for 'Last Man in Tower', revealed that senior actors once told her she was working hard on set but not registering correctly on screen — and that their guidance transformed how she approached the craft. The admission offers a rare, candid look at the unspoken mentorship culture that shapes Bollywood careers.
Key Takeaways
Divya Dutta spoke about acting technicalities during 'Last Man in Tower' promotions in Andheri West, Mumbai on 27 September 2026 .
She revealed that early in her career, senior actors told her she was performing well but not registering correctly on screen.
Dutta credits unnamed industry seniors for holding her hand and correcting her on-screen presence. 'Last Man in Tower' is based on Aravind Adiga 's novel and stars Manoj Bajpayee as a retired schoolteacher who resists a property redevelopment deal.
The film is directed by Ben Rekhi and is currently playing in cinemas.
Actress Divya Dutta has opened up about the technical demands of screen acting, revealing how her senior colleagues guided her in the early stages of her career when she struggled to translate her performances effectively on camera. The candid admission came during promotions for her recently released film 'Last Man in Tower' in the Andheri West area of Mumbai on 27 September 2026.
What Divya Dutta Said About Screen Technicalities
Speaking alongside her co-star Manoj Bajpayee and director Ben Rekhi, Dutta recalled a pivotal phase in her career when she was giving her best on set but failing to register correctly on screen. 'First of all, technicality for me, as long as I know my basics that I'm delivering and it's seen, it's fine because there was a time when I didn't know, I was doing my best, but I was not visible on the screen in the correct manner,' she said.
She credited unnamed seniors in the industry for steering her in the right direction. 'I had my seniors holding my hand, and told me, 'Listen, you're doing well, but you're not looking correctly on the screen'. So I've been fortunate that way,' Dutta added.
On Letting the Performance Flow
Beyond the basics, Dutta spoke about the philosophy of releasing control once the technical groundwork is in place. 'They also say, Get your lines out of the way, get the technicalities out of the way, and then just belong. Just let that, the magic of the moment happen,' she explained.
The actress described how genuine eye contact with a co-actor can unlock unpredictable emotional responses. 'If I'm looking in my co-actor's eyes, every take probably would be different. Every take, when I look into their eyes, it would evoke a different emotion from them,' she said. 'It could probably go up, it could probably go down. And it sometimes surprises you. So you need to let that happen. If you get very inhibited and feel, No, no, this is the boundary, I have given this note, then it becomes too limited. You just need to let the performance flow.'
About 'Last Man in Tower'
'Last Man in Tower' is an adaptation of the eponymous novel by celebrated author Aravind Adiga, set against the rapidly shifting urban landscape of Mumbai. Manoj Bajpayee plays a retired schoolteacher and widower residing in an ageing apartment complex. When a wealthy developer extends a lucrative buyout offer to the building's residents, most are tempted — but Bajpayee's character refuses to budge, becoming the sole obstacle to the redevelopment plan. The film is currently playing in cinemas.
Early Buzz and Response
The film has reportedly drawn a positive response since its release, with Dutta's performance attracting particular attention. This marks another notable collaboration for the actress, who has built a reputation for character-driven roles across Hindi, Punjabi, and regional cinema. For Bajpayee, the film extends a recent run of critically regarded performances rooted in social and urban themes. The promotional circuit in Mumbai signals the team's push to broaden theatrical audiences in the coming weeks.
Point of View
And that informal mentorship — not acting schools — has historically been its primary transmission mechanism in Bollywood. The irony is that this candour comes packaged inside a promotional tour, which means the industry's mentorship culture gets acknowledged only when it serves a release cycle. The broader question is whether that knowledge transfer is becoming more formalised — or whether the next generation of actors is navigating screen presence largely on their own.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Divya Dutta say about acting technicalities?
Divya Dutta said that early in her career she was performing well on set but not registering correctly on screen. Senior actors in the industry guided her, telling her to master the technical basics first and then allow the performance to flow naturally.
Which film was Divya Dutta promoting when she made these remarks?
She was promoting 'Last Man in Tower', an adaptation of Aravind Adiga's novel, during an event in Andheri West, Mumbai on 27 September 2026. She was accompanied by co-star Manoj Bajpayee and director Ben Rekhi.
What is 'Last Man in Tower' about?
'Last Man in Tower' is based on Aravind Adiga's novel of the same name. It is set in Mumbai and follows a retired schoolteacher played by Manoj Bajpayee who refuses to vacate his apartment despite a lucrative developer buyout offer that his neighbours accept.
Who directed 'Last Man in Tower'?
The film is directed by Ben Rekhi. It is currently running in cinemas and has reportedly received a positive response since its release.
What advice did Divya Dutta share about screen performance?
Dutta advised that actors should first clear the technical and textual hurdles — knowing their lines and hitting their marks — and then surrender to the moment. She emphasised that genuine eye contact with a co-actor can produce unpredictable and authentic emotional reactions that elevate a performance.
