Award-winning actor, producer, and UN Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza gave a deeply personal address at Spoken Fest last evening, sharing a story she calls her “homecoming”, one that shaped not only her childhood but the woman and artist she has become.
Reflecting on the theme in her speech, Dia traced her connection to nature back to watching her father paint a rainforest on her school wall, a memory that became a lasting source of comfort after his passing. Years later, amid the pressures of a demanding career, a visit to the forests of Pench became a turning point. Immersed in the wild, she rediscovered stillness and breath, a life-changing moment that has informed her choices in crafting a career with purpose and intentionality.
This year marks Dia Mirza's 25th year in the film industry, and she steps into 2026 with a powerful slate. Her upcoming projects include Operation Safed Sagar, IKKA, a web series alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and her award-winning short Panha (her production), among several unannounced projects in the pipeline. Beyond cinema, she remains deeply committed to climate action as a UN Goodwill Ambassador, while steering meaningful storytelling through her production house, One India Stories. Dia will also be marking her debut as an author this year, further expanding a journey defined by impact, evolution, and intent.