Menu

Dia Mirza

Dia Mirza snapped promoting her film Dhak Dhak at JW Marriott (cropped)
Dia Mirza snapped promoting her film Dhak Dhak at JW Marriott (cropped) Image: Wikimedia Commons. Bollywood Hungama / CC BY 3.0

Overview

Dia Mirza Rekhi (born Dia Handrich; 9 December 1981) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi-language films. She rose to prominence after winning the Miss Asia Pacific International title in 2000, and subsequently transitioned to a career in cinema and, later, film production. She is also active in streaming media.

Key facts

Full name Dia Mirza Rekhi
Birth name Dia Handrich
Born 9 December 1981
Occupation Actress, film producer
Years active 2001 onwards
Notable title Miss Asia Pacific International (2000)
Pageant qualifier Femina Miss India Asia Pacific 2000
Acting debut Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001)
Production houses Born Free Entertainment (co-owned); One India Stories (founded 2019)

Background

Mirza first came to public attention through the Femina Miss India pageant in 2000, where she was crowned Femina Miss India Asia Pacific. She went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific International title the same year, which paved the way for her entry into Hindi cinema.

Acting career

Mirza made her film debut in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001). Over the following two decades, she appeared in a range of Hindi films, including:

  • Dus (2005)
  • Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
  • Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (2007)
  • Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007)
  • Kurbaan (2009)
  • Sanju (2018) — her highest-grossing release
  • Thappad (2020)

Streaming work

Mirza has featured in streaming series, notably Kaafir (2019) and IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack (2024).

Production ventures

Mirza co-owned the production house Born Free Entertainment with her former husband Sahil Sangha. Following their divorce, she founded her own production company, One India Stories, in 2019.

Significance

Mirza's career reflects a trajectory common to several pageant winners of her era who moved into Hindi cinema, while her later work as a producer and in long-form streaming content situates her within the broader shift of Indian screen talent towards digital platforms.

References