Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 10, 2020)

Taking to social media to ask for work, playing a pivotal part in a film on old-age pregnancy, at 59, and choosing single parenthood — Neena Gupta has always defied age and gender-based stereotypes. Draped in a blue saree, as she enjoys a plate full of desserts, she modestly says, “I won’t call myself a trendsetter.” Ask her about being a norm breaker and she shares, “I was lucky that I got a part in Badhaai Ho (2018). In showbiz, where people are scared to be honest, I’m a bit too much of that. But that’s who I am. And I, often, bear the brunt for my honesty. Right now, a few people I know are teaching me to not be so honest (laughs).”

She reveals that contrary to people’s perceptions about her, she’s “quite a fearful person”. “Honesty comes from a place of fearlessness but I’m scared of a lot of things. I’m scared of swimming. I’ve tried learning it so many times but I just couldn’t. I’m also scared of driving. If I’m sitting inside a car and someone is driving at a high speed, I feel scared,” says Gupta.

She’s happy that she has finally been able to keep the feeling of loneliness, which engulfed her at some point, at bay. So, what helped her keep her confidence alive at a time when film offers were far and few between? “I could keep my spirits high at a time when there was a lull in my career because I have varied interests in my life beyond acting. I like music and dancing. So, I was never bored. But I wasn’t getting the chance to act and that kept bothering me,” says the actor, who will next be seen in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana.

Ask her about her biggest takeaway from life so far, and she says, “My key learning has been to never sacrifice my career for anybody and that a man isn’t the ultimate goal for a woman. If you keep these things in mind, your life will fall into place.”

A single mother, Gupta says raising a child on her own has been hard. “Single motherhood is tough. I would never recommend women to opt for it. If you don’t find the right guy, then don’t have a kid. If you still want a kid, then opt for sperm donation,” she signs off with a smile.