Veteran actor Neena Gupta recently opened up about her early struggles in Mumbai and her candid reflections on a past relationship during an interview with Siddharth Kannan. Known for her no-nonsense attitude, Gupta shared anecdotes from her journey to stardom and revealed an episode from when she first moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting.
During the conversation, Neena recounted her days of working odd jobs and dealing with a less-than-supportive partner. “When I came here in Mumbai, I came with my then-boyfriend. Both of us didn’t have work,” she said. To make ends meet, she took a job at Prithvi Café, a well-known theatre café in the city. “I used to make bharta in the evenings, so Prahlad, who was the owner, gave me free dinner. Just helping. We used to hang around there, hoping some director would spot us.”
However, her boyfriend’s lack of support soon became a point of contention. “One day, my boyfriend came, and I think he was drunk. He asked if I had come all the way from Delhi only to become a waitress here. I said, ‘At least I’m doing this! You ask me for your cigarette money!’” she recalled. Reflecting on the relationship, she added, “Thank God shaadi nahi kiya (I didn’t marry him).”
Personal Life and Recent Work
Gupta went on to marry Vivek Mehra, a chartered accountant, in the United States in 2008. She is also the mother of fashion designer Masaba Gupta, whom she had with former West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards.
In recent years, Neena Gupta has received widespread acclaim for her performances. She was recently honored with a National Award for her role in the film Uunchai. Additionally, she appeared in several notable projects, including Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, Lust Stories 2, Ishq-e-Nadaan, and Mast Mein Rehne Ka.
Currently, Neena is making waves with her role in Vishal Bhardwaj’s web series Charlie Chopra and is starring in a Malayalam web series titled 1000 Babies, streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
With her vibrant career and personal resilience, Gupta continues to inspire many in the industry and beyond.