"I don't understand why anybody would categorise an actor. A role is a role. You could do a supporting role, you could do a lead, you could do a negative. Why should we categorise an actor then," Dutta told PTI on the sidelines of the 6th Jagran Film Festival, which came to a close last night here.
The "Badlapur" actress said the only thing which matters is how good or bad the role is.
"Today the lead actors are playing all kinds of roles, we don't categorise them. Irrfan Khan is playing supporting role too but we don't call him a supporting actor. It's either a good role or a bad role, nothing more."
Dutta, known for her portrayal of Ishri Kaur, the sister of Milkha Singh in the biographical sports drama film "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", believes filmamkers are experimenting with fresh ideas because the audience is open to different genres.
"The audience is changing. They are open to new story ideas, more character-oriented stories. In the same year we have 'Piku', 'Badlapur', 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns', which are all doing well. They are not stereotypical films at all, they all are different films.
"The audience is loving being given different subjects. They are open to it. That gives the filmmakers the liberty to do what they want to do and experiment more," she said.
The actress revealed she will be doing her first main antagonist role in Subhash Singh's directional debut "Chalk and Duster", which also stars Shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla.
"I have just finished my film with director Nitin Kakkar (of 'Filmistaan' fame) titled 'Ram Singh Charlie'. I am also doing 'Chalk and Duster' where I play my first ever main antagonist role.
"I am doing Shyam Benegal's next film. I am also doing Shubho Shekhar Bhattacharya's 'Aayee Bala Ko Taal Tu' which stars Rishi Kapoor and Ram Kapoor," Dutta said.
Dutta will be next seen in a remake of the Malayalam thriller film "Traffic", alongside Manoj Bajpayee, Jimmy Shergill and Bengali stars Prosenjit Chatterjee and Parambrata Chatterjee.
The film is due for release in September this year.
