Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza was recently appointed UN Secretary General’s Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals. She is in the company of illustrious people such as Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, Hollywood actor Forest Whitaker and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. She is also making her digital debut with the ZEE5 series Kaafir, which will release on June 15.
How have you brought about sustainable practices in your own life?
There have been definite shifts in my lifestyle. Like rejecting single-use plastics; consuming less packaged food and drinks; following a mostly vegetarian diet; buying and eating locally available goods; wearing sustainable fashion; ensuring waste is segregated and composted at home; and replacing all feminine hygiene products with sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives.
You are also the UN’s Environment Goodwill Ambassador. When did you become passionate about nature? Was there an incident that triggered the change?
I was raised in a home that had a deep connection with nature. My mother gardened and taught me the names of birds, plants, trees and flowers. She rescued injured birds and animals and nurtured them back to health. My father conducted workshops for teachers in which he encouraged them to teach children how to interact with nature. I resolved to use my celebrity [status] to help [the cause of] wildlife and environment protection about 13 years ago.
You once commented that you are facing the age conundrum—neither being young enough to be cast alongside male actors your age nor mature enough to play older female characters. Are you affected by such ageism in the industry?
Yes, I am! It is an absolutely unfair bias against women. Having said that, I think those of us who remain unrelenting in our pursuit of opportunity will shatter these stereotypes, as many of us have already begun to.
Tell us about Kaafir.
Kaafir is a powerful human story inspired by a true one. I was deeply moved by it. The theme of the show resonated with me at a personal level.