They’ve shared screens, sets, and soirées — but never the same frame. After three decades in the industry, Divya Dutta is finally starring opposite Manoj Bajpayee in their yet-untitled upcoming film — a wish long on her list. Although they’ve shared credits in four films, “this will be the first time we’re truly featured opposite each other”. “It was lovely because half my year was spent working with him,” she says.

Describing her interaction with Bajpayee, Dutta says that whenever they discussed work, they would often digress towards food, a love they both share. “It’s nice to have known him more closely now, beyond being co-actors who would just cross paths on set. We have a certain relatability and connect, and he’s a fabulous actor. Even when we were exhausted from shooting late nights, both of us would stay back to give cues to each other. And if you ask what we discussed the most — it was food! He’s such a foodie. He loves to cook and feed people, and he cooked a lot for me,” shares the actor.