On a river's trail

In conversation

It was 7°C below freezing point. There was a road block staring at them thanks to multiple landslides, and with it arose the uninviting prospect of walking 3.5 kilometres in the shivering cold. But for actress-producer Dia Mirza, who is currently playing host of the TV series Ganga: The Soul of India, it was a moment to cherish. “Driving up the snow-covered forests of Uttarakhand leading up to Gangotri was a memorable moment.

Even though I was cold to the bone, I was entranced by its beauty. We got stuck because of landslides and we had to walk 3.5 kilometres to get to vehicles waiting to take us higher on the other side. Yet, nothing deterred us from moving forward. We had to get to Gangotri. And am I glad we did! Nothing in the world can replace that feeling of seeing the Ganga in her most pristine state,” says Dia, singling this arduous trek as her most cherished memory. “I kept thinking that nature is so pure, so giving, so rich; how could we do this to her? I know that when you see the contrasting visuals of the water you too would feel the same,” she adds.

A remarkable quest

The adventure, food and travel show that airs on lifestyle channel Living Foodz has been shot extensively in Uttarakhand. Dia has shot for 10 one-hour episodes that will take viewers to major cities where the Ganga flows. But it’s not only about the mythological, historical and religious importance of the river to India, but also its legacy. “I think the show is special because it does not explore just one dimension. It’s all encompassing, just as the nature of the river or life itself. I have enjoyed the travel the most because it led me to these incredible people, their food, music, education, laughter, tears and adventure. The journey makes every aspect enriching because all of it is unique and beautiful in its own way,” she says.

The host reveals that her enjoying the show and subsequently, viewers mirroring her enthusiasm, is largely because it has been meticulously planned. “Intensive research has been done by the Living Foodz team. The content producer and director of the show went on an extensive trip well in advance and experienced every aspect that they wanted to cover on the show first-hand. The individuals and the experiences we wanted to cover had been determined well in advance,” she says. On Dia came the responsibility of researching on the Ganga, and she relied on reading material that she could lay her hands on to understand in-depth its historical, mythological, spiritual, religious and cultural relevance. “I also made suggestions about people and areas I wanted to explore in the show. I shared these with the team and they incorporated my ideas into their plan,” she adds, quick to thank her team that had implicit trust in her. And for those who are wondering how Dia sounds extempore despite such planning, it is because she went extempore. “I was being followed by 11 cameras! But not a word was scripted and every moment on the show is as real as real can get!”

On conservation

The PETA-supporter and active conservationist says that speaking about the Ganga will include speaking about the ills that plague the holy river. “But not in a manner that will fill us with a sense of gloom or a point of no return. The best way to talk about a problem is to show the solutions,” she says with positivity. “There are extraordinary individuals that I have met on this journey who illustrate, through thought and action, the relevance of the river in our lives, our connection with it and how the fate of the river is directly connected to the fate of India and the 400 million-plus people she feeds directly or indirectly. The intention is to make people love the river. I am a big believer that we will only protect what we learn to love. The state of the river today reflects years of apathy and corruption of conscience. Our hope is that the conscience will be stirred by this narrative,” she says, with an optimism that we wish will resonate with viewers.

Career-wise, the lady’s independent streak is refreshing. Her having won an international beauty pageant and worked in commercial Bollywood films like Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein, Deewanapan, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, Parineeta and Lage Raho Munnabhai pale in comparison with her present work. “I think this phase of my life is fulfilling. I love all that I am doing, be it producing films, acting in films that I want to be a part of, this incredible show or the wonderful work I get to do with some truly incredible organisations outside of film work,” she smiles a reassuring smile that will not fade.