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EXCLUSIVE: Neena Gupta on her Insta post: I was not begging for food or jewellery but work and have no shame in it
In an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, Neena Gupta spoke about her Television career, her viral Instagram post, and daughter Masaba Gupta.
Neena Gupta, 62, is no less than an inspiration for single mothers. Her decision to raise a child all alone stunned many and was considered too bold for that time but Neena still went ahead with it, setting an example. Always putting her strong self to display, the actor earned the status of being a strong woman. From Television to films, the actor has had a terrific journey of her own.
She recently hit the headlines after she wrote an honest and moving post on Instagram asking for work. Not long enough, her daughter Masaba became the target of internet trolls with many calling her names for being the love child of Neena and West Indies cricketer, Vivian Richards.
In an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, Neena Gupta spoke about her Television career, her viral Instagram post, and daughter Masaba Gupta.
1. You were part of some really cult TV shows like Saans. Do you think the content on Television has comparatively turned regressive nowadays?
I think this is business, there is nothing emotional about it so whatever works people make that. The cost of production from my time and now has gone up so much that no one is willing to take a risk making something different. People are making what sells and they keep on making that. The times have changed and I have hope that it will change again someday.
2. Would you like to do the kind of roles the veteran actors are taking up on TV these days?
Now with all the experience, I won’t do something I don’t believe in.
3. Your Instagram post asking for work went viral and was considered as one of the most emboldening steps. What triggered you to write that post?
The point was for some time, some people asked me, "Oh, when did you come to Mumbai?" People started thinking that after my marriage, I started to live in Delhi and I don’t work, so nobody offered me work. So lately, I was offered a role and I went to meet the director, this girl who was taking me to the house asked me ‘When did I come to Bombay?’ and that’s when I realised that people think I am not working. I just felt that I should make it clear that I am here only and want to work. Also, let me tell you I have got work after that.
Moreover, there is no shame in asking for work. I know many big stars who asked for work when they were out of it. I am not begging for my food, for clothes or jewelry, I am begging for work and I have no shame in it.
4. What kind of response did you receive for your post?
It was amazing. People were in tears, they used to stop and tell me that ‘Tum kitni brave ho’. Masaba also wrote such good things about me. I was just touched by people’s response.
5. We all know how Masaba shut her trollers up in a dignified open letter that she wrote. How did you feel seeing your daughter handle it all so gracefully?
I am very proud of her, not just for why she wrote but also because I have known for a long time that she writes well. In fact, sometimes when I have to write some post, I ask her as she has good command over her language.
I just saw the post in the morning. I told her 'Well done'. It made me proud more so because the feeling behind the post is very important. She is an introvert and much later in life I came to know that and I used to ask her if people used to harass her in high school, she used to say No. She must have been harassed but she fought it all on her own. She is a fighter and I like that. She is a softy on one side and fighter on another side. Long time back, one of her friends said something about me and later I received a call from that girl's father saying that Masaba hit her. I asked Masaba why, to which she said, 'Mom, she was saying bad things about you.' So, I said well done.
I don’t encourage her to do this thing but I don’t stop her too.
6. You have been a great inspiration for independent women. Having said that, it would be wrong to say that you haven’t faced the consequences of choosing that life. How did you manage it?
It is very tough to bring up a child on your own. It was very difficult of course. I have always told her and myself that just see what all God has given you. If you don’t have one thing, what’s the big deal? Not everybody has everything. I used to tell myself that I am a good actor, I have a good body, I have a pretty face, have long hair, have a good soul, so if there is one thing I don’t have, don’t make a big issue of it. God gave me my father instead of him.
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