Divya Khossla Kumar Opens Up on Industry Pressures, Personal Life, and New Film in Candid AMA
From calling Bollywood “a swamp of crocodiles” to living in a Lucknow slum for authenticity — Divya Khossla Kumar reflects on mental health, divorce rumours, and her upcoming film Ek Chatur Naar.
In a refreshingly honest Reddit AMA session, actress‑director‑producer Divya Khossla Kumar shared unfiltered thoughts on her journey in the film industry — from its toxicity and pressure to look a certain way, to the truth behind persistent rumours about her personal life. Fans got a rare glimpse into her values, experiences, and work ethic.
When asked how she manages to stay mentally strong despite “all the toxicity in Bollywood,” Divya said, “I feel Bollywood is a place where there are crocodiles all around and you feel like you are navigating your way through it.” She emphasised the importance of remaining true to oneself and refusing to “sell her soul” for work. In her words: “Hota hai toh theek hai, nahi hota toh bhi theek hai” (If it works out, fine; if it doesn’t, that’s fine too). She added that climbing up in the industry should come with a “good slate of karma.”
Discussing her favourite project, Divya picked Savi, a challenging shoot in the UK under freezing conditions (around –10°C) for 42 days straight. She described the production as highly organised and said it set a benchmark for her future projects.
Addressing the frequent divorce rumours, Divya clarified, “No 😜 But the media really wants it 😂” She has been married to Bhushan Kumar, chairman and managing director of T‑Series, since 2005. The couple have one son together. Their relationship came under scrutiny when Divya dropped ‘Kumar’ from her Instagram name, but the change was reportedly due to her astrological beliefs, not marital issues.
On the professional front, Divya’s upcoming film Ek Chatur Naar, co‑starring Neil Nitin Mukesh, is generating buzz as a dark comedy‑thriller. To prepare for her role, Divya lived for nearly a month in a slum in Lucknow to understand the struggles of everyday people. She described the experience as challenging — living next to open gutters and even dealing with lice — but deeply transformative for her portrayal.
As the film’s first motion posters and trailers dropped, audiences saw Divya in a gritty, determined avatar, while Neil Nitin Mukesh’s character appeared suave and menacing, hinting at a suspenseful cat-and-mouse game.
Throughout her AMA, Divya projected a message of resilience, authenticity, and staying grounded — a striking contrast to the glitz and glamour often associated with Bollywood. Fans appreciated this candid insight into her values, her personal life, and why she continues to prioritise substance over style.
