Dia Mirza is a child of cross-cultural confluence. She was born as Dia Handrich on December 9, 1981 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh to Frank Handrich, a German graphic and industrial fair designer, architect, artist and interior designer from Munich and Deepa, a Bengali interior designer, landscaper and addiction counsellor. She was raised by her mother and step-father Ahmed Mirza.
She was hand-picked by destiny to win the crown of Femina Miss India Asia Pacific 2000. She also won Miss Asia Pacific 2000 on December 3 in Manila, Philippines and was the first Indian contestant to win this title in 29 years completing a hat trick of international wins for India in that year. This rapturous win led to a great deal of media attention and an award-winning debut in the film Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. The well-received film led her towards a career in film and she appeared in over 40 movies like Tehzeeb, Dum, Deewanapan, Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Parineeta, Dus, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Acid Factory, Hum Tum Aur Ghost and many more
She also ventured in Bengali cinema by acting in Pratim Dasgupta's much acclaimed film Paanch Adhyay. She founded Born Free Entertainment along with her partner Sahil Sangha with an aim to create entertainment with a purpose. Her passion and love for the craft and her belief in its purpose is a driving force in her life. The company made its debut with a romantic comedy Love Breakups Zindagi in October 2011. A slice of life film that had many subtle social comments and messages. Her second production Bobby Jasoos, starring Vidya Balan released in 2014 to critical and popular acclaim for its nuance, social comment and depiction of choices the female protagonist makes. The film mirrors Dia's personal beliefs in the rights of the girl child.
Over the years, Dia has been conscious of her celebrity and has conducted herself in a manner befitting that of a role model. She refuses all cosmetic endorsements for skin lightening; any brands that animal test, alcohol and tobacco brands, and any brand that does not reflect her personal values and beliefs. Be it in the parts she plays in film or her choices in public life, Dia's decisions can all be traced back to her education in Vidyaranya High School for Boys and Girls, based on the teachings of philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.
She has penned serious articles for the Huffington Post, Mid Day, Hindustan Times and various other publications as a guest writer, bringing attention to a host of topics that she believes need attention.
