According to media reports, the actress-turned-producer recalled taking a bank loan and mortgaging the first home she bought to fund the Vidya Balan-led film, while also ensuring the actor received her full remuneration.
Dia Mirza, who made her Bollywood debut with Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein in 2001, entered film production about a decade later. In 2014, she backed Bobby Jasoos, a woman-led story directed by Samar Shaikh and headlined by Vidya Balan. Although the script, cast, and team were ready, the project faced a major financial setback when studios and financiers pulled out.
Speaking about her experience with She The People, Dia recalled that becoming a producer also affected how the industry viewed her as an actor. She said she was warned that she could stop receiving acting opportunities if she began producing films. According to Dia, the work slowed for some time, and she even encountered a producer who questioned casting her because she had taken up production.
Dia said people perceived that a woman choosing to produce films was no longer interested in working in front of the camera. She eventually had to challenge that assumption and make it clear that producing did not mean giving up acting.
When the financial support for Bobby Jasoos disappeared, Dia decided to take on the risk personally. Vidya Balan had already committed her dates, the entire team was assembled, and the film had been written. At the time, Vidya was also an established actor with films such as Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, No One Killed Jessica, The Dirty Picture and Kahaani among her credits.
Dia revealed that she took a bank loan and mortgaged her first home to ensure the film could still be made. She said she remained proud of the decision and of the film’s performances.
Another decision that mattered to Dia was Vidya’s remuneration. Despite the production’s financial difficulties, she did not ask Vidya to reduce her fee. Dia said she paid her full salary and described it as one of the best of Vidya’s career, noting that she believed the actor deserved to be paid handsomely for carrying a film centered entirely on her character.
Released in 2014, Bobby Jasoos follows Vidya Balan as a woman aspiring to become a detective. For Dia Mirza, the film marks a significant chapter in her journey as a producer and the personal financial risk she took to bring the story to audiences.