Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 2, 2014)

"My family, particularly my father, had been categorically told not to watch Humshakals because I knew they wouldn't be able to bear the film," admits Esha Gupta who plays Dr. Shivani Gupta in Sajid Khan's latest comic caper. However, the actress, who started her career with Jannat 2, and followed it up with thrillers like Chakravyuh and Raaz 3, is unapologetic about her recent cinematic outing. Esha says she knew what she was getting into when she accepted the film.

She explains that she said yes to the film to get into mainstream Bollywood opposite an A-list actor, Saif Ali Khan. "Sajid told me upfront that I was an eye-candy and would have to ham my way through the film. I knew Humshakals wouldn't win me any best actress awards. Many have questioned my decision to take up this film, but I have no regrets," she asserts.

Question her on all the flak the film has been getting, with an online portal making a parody titled Enough Is Enough, Sajid Khan, and Esha retorts, "That's for the director to answer. Sometimes things go terribly wrong. It's not enough if your film makes money, we want the audience's appreciation too. In retrospect I feel we could have done a better job with Humshakals."

Bipasha Basu's decision not to promote the film, followed by a tweet denouncing the director, had raised plenty of eyebrows. Esha herself made a dig at her Raaz 3 co-star during a promotional interview saying it was good Bipasha had stayed away or she'd have practised "black magic" on her again. "That was a joke!" Esha exclaims. "I was so nervous around Bipasha during Raaz 3 till she gave me a warm hug and broke the ice. Her decision to back out from Humshakals had to do with something drastic that happened on the personal front and not about screen-space."

Buzz is, Sajid and she have a 'special' equation. She laughs, "I have a steady boyfriend. Why would I date Sajid Khan? I hate rumours which imply that I can't get work unless I sell my soul. Merit counts." So, will she do another film with Sajid? "Right now I'm not looking for another multistarrer but if it's a solo lead or a two-heroine project, I just might," she quips.

Upala KBR (DNA; May 8, 2014)

Esha Gupta is fed-up with rumours linking her to Sajid Khan, who is directing her in Hamshakals. Unlike most actresses, who prefer to keep their relationship status hidden, Esha has taken to a social networking site to declare that she is in a relationship.


The actress is in a committed relationship with Armaan Gujral. He is Delhi-based architect Mohit Gujral and ex-model Feroze Gujral’s son. Renowned painter Satish Gujral is his grandfather. While Esha chooses to remain tight-lipped on the guy she’s dating, she is open about the fact that she’s in a relationship for the last few years, even before she made her film debut.

!! CHECK OUT ESHA GUPTA'S SUPER-SIZZLING PHOTOSHOOT FOR ELLE HERE !!

The actress says, “I am fed up with rumours linking me to Sajid. I am not dating him! Most people in Bollywood know that I have been in a relationship for many years now and we are quite serious about each other. Everyone in our families know that. It’s not a secret and yet people keep linking me to Sajid. I feel the time has come for me to say yes, I am in a relationship and am very happy about it!”

When asked why she had maintained a silence on her relationship till now, she says, “It’s personal and I didn’t feel like talking about it. Even now I can’t mention his name. All I can say is that he is from Delhi. He comes from a family where people don’t like to be in the limelight. Even my family is like that. My dad is in the Indian Air Force and he hates to be in the media glare.”