Actor Divya Dutta on OTT, Herd Mentality and Her New Film with Manoj Bajpayee

Actor Divya Dutta says streaming platforms are changing the entertainment industry by bringing in more story-led and character-driven roles that allow artists to experiment. However, she notes that the industry still has a long way to go, pointing out that a successful project often triggers a herd mentality where filmmakers approach actors with similar parts, requiring them to turn down many offers to find the right ones. Divya recently starred in the social drama series Chiraiya, which addressed the sensitive topic of marital rape and challenged the misconception that marriage implies unconditional consent. She described the show as an unprecedented success that made a significant impact on people's lives. Following that project, she stars alongside Manoj Bajpayee in the Ben Rekhi directorial The Last Man in Tower, which was released in theatres on September 11, 2026, and began streaming on ZEE5 on November 6, 2026. Although Divya and Manoj have appeared in several films together before—including LOC: Kargil in 2003, Veer-Zaara in 2004, Special 26 in 2013, Traffic in 2016, and the Netflix crime drama Gajab Raat—this film marks the first time their characters share screen space. Based on Booker Prize-winning author Aravind Adiga's novel of the same name, the film explores greed, morality, and urban community dynamics within a Mumbai housing society. The plot centers on a redevelopment proposal that divides the residents when most agree to a lucrative deal from a developer, but a retired school teacher named Yogesh Mishra refuses to give up his home. In the film, Divya plays Sangeeta Puri, Manoj plays Yogesh Mishra, and Boman Irani also plays a pivotal role. The project is produced by Rana Daggubati's Spirit Media.

Context

Streaming platforms have increasingly opened up space for character-driven narratives that often find less room in traditional commercial cinema. Adaptations of acclaimed literary works like Aravind Adiga's novels bring complex social themes and urban conflicts into mainstream visual media.