New Delhi: Actor-filmmaker Divya Khossla Kumar opened up about the pressures, perceptions and personal challenges of working in the film industry during a candid Reddit AMA session held this week. Known for her roles in Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo, Satyameva Jayate 2 and her recent film Savi, Divya addressed a wide range of questions—from navigating what she described as a “toxic environment” in Bollywood to rumours about her personal life, her approach to career choices, cosmetic surgery speculation and her professional journey.
Divya calls Bollywood a place ‘full of crocodiles’
During the AMA, a user asked how Divya manages her mental well-being amid the pressure, competition and negativity that many associate with the industry. In a strikingly honest response, Divya said she often feels that “Bollywood is a place where there are crocodiles all around and you feel like you are navigate your way through it.”
She clarified that staying grounded and being true to oneself is her mantra for survival. “I think the most important thing is to remain true to your own self. I will never sell my soul to get work. Hota hai toh theek hai, nahi hota toh bhi theek hai,” she said, adding that one’s karma ultimately matters more than ambition.
She also emphasised that maintaining personal integrity mattered more to her than chasing opportunities. “When you reach up, you should have a good slate of karma to carry with you,” she wrote.
On rumours surrounding her marriage
Divya was also asked about persistent rumours regarding her marriage with T-Series head Bhushan Kumar. Speculation surged earlier this year when Divya dropped “Kumar” from her social media handles.
When a user directly asked if she and Bhushan had separated, Divya dismissed the rumours, replying: “No, but the media really wants it.”
Later, Bhushan Kumar himself had clarified publicly that the name change was made on astrological advice, not due to marital issues. The couple married in 2005 at the Vaishno Devi Temple and have a son together.
Responding to speculation around cosmetic surgery and age
Several AMA participants also questioned Divya about her appearance, asking whether she had undergone any cosmetic enhancements. Divya responded bluntly: “Nai baba, no surgery.”
When confronted with online chatter about her age, she laughed it off, saying, “What should I do? Put it on Instagram?”
Her views on filmmaking, scripts and the industry
Divya spoke at length about her artistic choices and experiences working on films. She said her latest film Savi remains her personal favourite to date.
“Has to be Savi. The most amazing shoot in the UK was almost minus 10 degrees for 42 days non-stop. But the production was so well organised that it set a benchmark for me,” she wrote.
She also praised actor Neil Nitin Mukesh, her co-star in Koi Chatur Naar, calling him “very down to earth” and “a great co-star,” adding that he had appreciated her performance in Savi.
When asked whether actors can tell when a script is weak, especially in reference to Satyamev Jayate 2, Divya noted that the final output can differ significantly from the script. “There’s a lot that happens on the edit table. At times there’s a difference between the script and the final product,” she explained.
Divya on navigating the industry and being authentic
Throughout the AMA, Divya repeatedly returned to the importance of authenticity, especially in an industry she believes can be harsh and unpredictable. She said she chooses not to be driven solely by fame or commercial pressure, preferring instead to grow at her own pace.
Her responses indicated a desire to reshape her career on her own terms, without bending to the pressures of industry expectations or gossip.
Conclusion
Divya’s forthright AMA offered a rare glimpse into her perspective on life in Bollywood—one shaped by resilience, self-belief and an insistence on staying true to her values. At a time when online scrutiny and industry politics often dominate conversations around celebrities, her candidness has resonated with fans who appreciated her openness and refusal to be swayed by rumours or negativity.