Showing posts with label Esha Gupta interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Esha Gupta interview. Show all posts
For me, therapy has helped me move forward-Esha Gupta
8:52 AM
V Nichita (BOMBAY TIMES; October 8, 2025)
It’s been over 13 years since Esha Gupta made her Bollywood debut with Jannat 2. The actress, who was in Bengaluru for an event, says her journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster filled with growth, learning, and new experiences. In a chat with us, she talks about how her approach to characters has evolved, why she enjoys music videos, and more. Excerpts:
‘I GIVE MY BEST TO A CHARACTER, NO MATTER THE SCREEN TIME’
When it comes to choosing roles, Esha admits her outlook has evolved. “Times have changed, and so has my approach. Earlier, it was about what the script was doing for me. Now, it’s only about the character and the director’s vision. A simple story can turn into a masterpiece with the right filmmaker. Even if my role is just two minutes long, I make sure to give it my best, because the writer created it with me in mind.”
‘IT’S REWARDING TO SEE PEOPLE CONNECT WITH MY MUSIC VIDEOS’
In recent years, Esha has carved a niche with music videos, something she thoroughly enjoys. “Music videos are my favourite. They’re fun, high-energy, and quick to shoot. You work with top singers and directors for just two or three days, and thanks to social media, they go viral in no time. It’s so rewarding to see people connect to them.”
‘ONLY A HEALTHY MIND WOULD CHOOSE TO GO TO THERAPY’
The actress has been vocal about mental health, something many hesitate to address. “There was no deep thought behind it,” she says firmly. “In our country, therapy is often looked down upon, but actually, only a healthy mind would choose therapy. Most of us are in therapy because of people who really need it, but don’t go. For me, therapy has helped me move forward. I always say money should only buy you good health, both mental and physical. Without that, nothing else matters.”
‘WORKING WITH RAM CHARAN WAS INCREDIBLE; HE’S AN AMAZING DANCER’
Esha has also acted in Telugu films, though she feels she hasn’t done enough to draw comparisons. “I don’t think I’ve worked enough in the South to compare, but one thing I love is how well everyone dances. I was lucky to work with Ram Charan, one of the best dancers out there.”
It is difficult to shed the image of a sex symbol; my ex made me so insecure-Esha Gupta
10:05 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (MID-DAY; September 14, 2024)
“Sex symbol” is a tag the Hindi film industry has often given to actresses. Whether it was Zeenat Aman, who is hailed as the first sex symbol of the industry to multiple other heroines that followed her. One such actress who dealt with this tag was actress Esha Gupta. She admits that it was difficult for her to shed her image of a “sexy actress” as she opens up about her tryst with the industry's perception.
'It is difficult to shed the image of a sex symbol'
Esha started her career with Jannat in 2012 and did an array of movies which led to her getting the tag.
“It is difficult to shed that image. The problem is the conception people have about you. But what is a sexy girl? The sexy girl still goes home, has a family, and is a girl who's sitting at home watching a movie, cooking, and cleaning. But the perception is that she cannot be someone’s girlfriend or daughter. It is tough to break that image. It took me a while to accept it. There have been a few people in my life who said, that instead of shaking it off, accept it; because there are so many who are trying to be sexy, and then they could not,” Esha explains.
'My ex made me so insecure'
The Rustom actress recalls dating this one guy from the industry - “the only guy from the industry” she has ever dated - who added to her insecurities. “He made me so insecure. He always told me, ‘Oh, you want to be like this actress, right? Then don't wear such clothes’. Those clothes were a spaghetti top and jeans. He had a problem with that. ‘Don’t wear a bikini’, ‘Oh, if you want to do this, don't do this song’, ‘Don't do this work’. I said a lot of no's because of him. He put that constant pressure and insecurity in my head. If I want to be that girl next door and to get those kinds (girl next door) of roles, I should try and shed the (sexy) image that I have. But I realized I'm too bold. And boldness is a mindset. I'm really sure of myself now,” she reminisces.
'You're made to feel that you need to enter a clan'
Esha’s ex wasn’t the only one feeding her with insecurity. She confesses that the industry in general also makes you feel excluded. “The fact that you're made to feel that you need to enter a clan that damages you. You realize that, ‘I don't have any friends in the industry! What will I do? My life matters nothing’. It's taken me years to realize that my life is something. You are always made to feel like you are not invited to that one's party or you're not doing this? Of course, I never go because I have a routine. Some people I would go, because, I respect them a lot. But I'm not invited to most house parties, which I'm more than okay with. But for years I was like shit - 'I'm not invited to this party, I'm not invited to her thing, I didn't get a call for this'. There are also a lot of people who make you realize that you are excluded. Initially, you even had those PRs. I've been through PRs, who would tell you, ‘Listen, you have to go to this one’s party and I’ll get you the invite'. But guess what? Those people are not invited into my life. Not because I have anything against them, but only because I don't feel they are important in my life. I'm sure they feel the same way about me," she concludes.
My mother would ride a bicycle in a sari to her university; most women of her time did the same-Esha Gupta
8:00 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; August 7, 2024)
For those who follow Esha Gupta on social media, it’s no secret that she often digs into her mom and granny’s closets and wears some of their precious heirloom possessions. Today, on National Handloom Day, the actress speaks to us about her love for Indian handloom, traditional weaves, and sustainability in fashion.
‘My mom would ride a bicycle in a sari to her university’
During a recent visit to her ancestral home in Uttar Pradesh, Esha discovered a large wooden box lying unopened for years. When she opened it, it revealed a treasure trove of her grandmother’s vintage jewellery and decades-old saris – Mango silk, Banarasi, Kanjivaram, Chanderi – all preserved with utmost care.
Esha shares, “I’ve been wearing my mom and grandma’s saris forever now. The saris I discovered from my granny, I believe she got them when she got married, probably when she was just 15 or 16. Now, I have inherited them.”
For her, saris are more a way of life than a fashion statement. “I remember seeing my mother’s pictures. She would ride a bicycle in a sari to her university. It wasn’t just her; most women of her time did the same. I grew up seeing the women in my family in saris, doing household chores and working in the kitchen with every pleat intact. It seemed like the most comfortable outfit for them. I wonder how, because today we need a team to help us when we wear a gown,” she says.
‘In my family, it’s a ritual to gift each other saris on special occasions’
Talking about how gifting saris is like a ritual in her family, she says, “Back home, we have storage beds filled with dozens of saris, folded, packed and preserved - many of them perhaps never worn. In my family, it’s a ritual to gift each other saris on special occasions.”
Commenting on how saris complement every body type, Esha points out, “The weave, the material and the way of draping might vary, but they all look amazing on every body type. A sari is a complete outfit in itself.”
‘I had my grandmother’s saris delicately refurbished’
This traditional Indian attire perfectly aligns with the cause of sustainability as well, says Esha. The actress emphasises how India’s masterful weaves are a traditionally sustainable and eco-conscious choice.
She says, “My granny wore them, then my mother wore them. When I inherited them, I had them delicately refurbished so that the zardozi work or the threadwork wouldn’t get spoiled. A sari is an outfit that can be passed down for generations, and it will only gain heritage value. You can hardly do that with your fast-fashion Western outfits.”
‘It’s great that many international brands are using Indian fabrics now’
In the last decade, Indian traditional fabrics have blown up on the international fashion scene. Esha says, “It’s great that many international brands are using Indian fabrics, especially our silk. Our Indian handloom weavers have kept our culture and heritage alive through their work. I commend those who support sustainable fashion. Fast fashion is detrimental to the environment on a large scale. Keep your clothes well and wear them as long as you can because we’re not here to impress others, we’re here to live our lives.”
If I wasn't an actor, I would have already had three kids by now-Esha Gupta
8:13 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; May 14, 2024)
Esha Gupta shuttles between Spain, Delhi and Mumbai. During her recent visit to Mumbai, she spoke to us about love, marriage and having children with her boyfriend, Spanish-entrepreneur Manuel Campos Guallar. Excerpts:
'Glad that I have Manuel'
At 37, Esha is quite relaxed and is spiritually drawn. She is not in any rat race, especially when it comes to movies. She talks about pacing down in her career and shares, “I'm glad that I have, Manuel (Campos Guallar, Spanish-entrepreneur boyfriend) in my life. He's helped me set up a business (a restaurant in Spain). Coming from the service background, you don't think of business; you think of being self-made, but not really business. I always thought I'd be doing a job under someone and be in a law firm. It's easier, it's more reliable. But he's helped me secure my life. I often joke, that now you can't even leave me. You have to marry me."
'Marriage would happen anytime soon'
As she mentions marriage, the question of when she is planning to tie the knot falls subsequently. The two have been seeing each other for almost five years now. Esha replies, “Marriage would happen anytime soon. I'm focusing more on just my health. Eventually, whenever down the line, I'll get married, and then down the line, I have kids. I'm focusing on that. The last two years by God's grace have been a big change in his life, work-wise. I've always dreamed of having kids. That's always been important. Kids and dogs are two aspects of my life that I can never think of living without."
'I did my freezing in 2017'
Motherhood is something that comes innately to Esha. She recalls as a kid she would have a doll, whom she would address as her child. For the first time, Esha vouchsafes that she froze her eggs. She elaborates, “I did my freezing in 2017, before I met Manuel. I was very smart. I was single for almost 3 and half years before I met Manuel (in 2019). I met him by chance, not even in his country or my country. Since then we both knew that we were getting into a relationship and not dating. You're not at that age to date. We were very clear that if it goes well, our end goal is marriage. We want to get married; we want to have kids. I've always loved babies a lot. Manuel knows that; he's ready (to be a father), and he's prepared. When we get married, it will be either IVF or surrogacy – depending on when we get married and what my body is going through. For a woman who wants to have a family, that's important."
'I've always wanted kids'
It was Esha's aunt - who herself has been through the process - who suggested the Rustom actress to freeze her eggs when she is healthy. Fresh off the promotions of her flick Baadshaho, Esha went under the process. “I did the freezing at that time when in India it was really expensive. But I was certain that when it comes to health – anything. These (the eggs) are my kids. I'd rather freeze them when I'm healthy. If I wasn't an actor, I would have already had three kids by now for sure, I've always wanted kids, so I think I would have had three," she elaborates.
Talking about Manuel, she adds, "Manuel is prepared and luckily, he's one of those open-minded men. He is okay with surrogacy which many might have a problem with; he is even okay with adoption – something I told him that we might. So, I'm not stressed when we get married.
Jab bhi hoga, baccha ho jaayega
(laughs). I keep telling Manuel, I want the baby to have his eyes and my skin colour. I just want to marry him because of kids (laughs). And he's like, 'But what if it's the other way around?' I reply, 'Then we will have to keep reproducing (laughs)".
Esha also spoke on the process of freezing eggs, as she mentions, "You end up gaining weight because of the hormones. Our body is changing. You end up becoming moody, but it makes you happy somewhat because it's exciting. It's truly exciting when you're doing it because you're like, ‘Dude, you know what? Tomorrow they are gonna be my kids’."
It is tough when you have no shoulder to cry on-Esha Gupta
8:22 AM
The actor says she didn’t have any guide when her decade old career started in the film industry
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 10, 2022)
Esha Gupta, in her decade-long career, has done it all on her own. And as her first film, Jannat 2 (2012), recently completed 10 years of its release, the actor opens up on how doing it without any connections or support was not easy.
“Of course, it is tough when you have no shoulder to cry on, and there is no one to guide you. Even if you are going wrong, you don’t know [it]. If you get a hit, you don’t know what you did for that hit too. No one will help. That’s the only thing I always wished I had,” confesses the 36-year-old, adding that she does realise that nothing comes easy.
Recalling the time she started out, Gupta shares that she had no plans of becoming an actor, but life took her by surprise. “I am grateful for everything I have. I didn’t even dream of becoming an actor; I was doing law. I didn’t want to do anything else. And [then] Jannat 2 happened.”
After the movie, she went on to work in films such as Raaz 3 (2012), Baadshaho (2017) andOne Day: Justice Delivered (2019). The actor is happy with how her career has charted out, and is especially grateful for the kind of music her films have had. “Jannat 2 had an amazing album. We had someone as amazing as Pritam (music director). We were lucky. Even now, college students say they love the film’s songs. Nowadays, we are making music that you don’t listen to after many years. We don’t have melodious songs [today],” she ends.
If you ignore your trolls, they end up becoming your fans-Esha Gupta
7:58 AM
The actress, who is now back in India, opens up about her relationship with Spanish boyfriend Manuel Campos Guallar
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; March 31, 2022)
Esha Gupta, whose boyfriend Manuel Campos Guallar is from Spain, had made the country her home during the pandemic. The actress has now returned to India and will join the team of MX Player’s Aashram that reunites her with director Prakash Jha. In a conversation with BT, she opens up about falling in love at first sight and navigating a long-distance relationship. Excerpts
In our conversation last year, you had said you were completing projects from the confines of your home in Spain. Now that you are back in Mumbai, are you ready to shoot on a set?
In recent times work took me to California, and I also travelled to London. Now I am in India for a shoot. I am really excited about MX Player’s Aashram. Director Prakash Jha is someone who believed in me and gave me an opportunity in his film Chakravyuh at the beginning of my career. He is one of those people who taught me a lot without teaching me directly.
I remember watching the first season of Aashram with my family in Delhi during the lockdown. While watching it, I told my mom that it would be interesting to be a part of a project like this, and soon, I was approached for the second season.
Spain has been home for you as you were living-in with Campos Guallar there for some time. Now that work has got you back here, how has it been managing a long-distance relationship?
The Coronavirus pandemic allowed us to spend a lot of time with each other. However, we were aware of the fact that we would be in a long-distance relationship. We enjoy our time together, but we are very secure enough in our relationship to enjoy our time apart as well. Work requires me to travel, so I will, and the moment I am not shooting, I will head to Spain to spend time with him. I feel, if both individuals are ambitious about their work, they need to have an understanding of each other’s careers, and once that happens, things should run pretty smoothly.
How did the two of you meet and hit it off?
Manuel is into real estate and his firm reached out to me for some work. I met him for the first time in Rome, and it was love at first sight...at least for me. I made sure he fell for me too (laughs!). We connected really well during our first meeting. After we returned to our respective countries, we kept in touch. Then we met once again after nearly two months. Back then, we didn’t know the direction in which this relationship was going to go, but now, two years down the line, we know exactly where it’s going.
So, is marriage on the cards?
There’s always a right time for everything. I will wait for mine!
Have you introduced Manuel to Indian culture?
Manuel likes the fact that I am religious. I have created a small space in our home in Spain where I say my prayers. He likes to see me in traditional Indian wear. On Dussehra, I wore a saree to attend a puja through a video call with my parents (who were in India). Post the call, he asked me not to change and made me meet his entire family in the traditional look. Like Indians, the Spanish, too, are very family-oriented people. Manuel is also extremely close to his family and relatives.
So, is Spain home for you now?
To be honest, I never thought of living in any other country than India. I am a total Delhiite at heart. My friends there are mesmerized seeing the pictures of India that I post on social media. They want me to take them to places like Rajasthan, Agra and Varanasi. My stay in Spain has only expanded my horizons. It has definitely helped work-wise, and I got a lot of exposure to international cinema. As an actor, you are a global citizen. But home will always be India for me, no matter where I live.
You are known to be passionate about fitness and often share bold and glamourous pictures online. While there are many admirers, there are trolls too. How do you react to them?
I love myself and the way I look. I have always been comfortable in my skin. Initially, it used to bother me when people would troll me. I have realised that it doesn’t matter what they say. I became good friends with a photographer in Madrid. Whenever we get a chance, we do these shoots. It is like a woman being a woman in these pictures. That’s the idea. I don’t have any other agenda like eyeing roles in projects. I believe that if you ignore your trolls, they end up becoming your fans. No matter how much they hate you, they will eventually love you.
If I get married to the richest guy and he leaves me, I don’t want to live with alimony-Esha Gupta
6:50 PM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 28, 2021)
Actor Esha Gupta has often been in news for her personal life with her alleged beau Manuel Campos Guallar. She tells us that speculations don’t bother her. The Nakaab actor says, “People only know how much I’m putting out there but they think that they know a lot. I’m an extremely private person when it comes to my family and friends. People write a lot of things but it really doesn’t matter to me.”
Though she rues that questions about marriage are rarely posed before men as much before women, Gupta adds that she would rather wait for the right time before she decides to step into the next chapter of her life. Sharing her thoughts on marriage, she elaborates, “In our family, women are more successful than the men, and parents teach their daughters to be independent. If I get married to the richest guy and he leaves me, I don’t want to live with alimony. I want to have something of my own. I don’t want to change my surname.” Talking about her idea of a partner, she adds, “I need a partner who supports me and doesn’t try to make someone else out of me.”
The actor, who turns 36 today, will spend the day attending one of her brothers’ wedding in Jaipur. Quiz her about what she looks forward to in the coming year and she says, “Health, peace and love. There’s Aashram 2 and Invisible Woman. A big professional shift is going to happen. And I’m quite excited about it.”
A sports lover, Gupta also wishes to do a sports film soon. “It would be like a dream. I would love to be a part of a film based on PT Usha ji, the queen of tracks. From horse riding and sky diving to deep sea diving, I would like to do anything in a film. And if I don’t know that sport, I’d just train for 12 hours every day and master it,” Gupta signs off.
Visiting Varanasi had always been on my wish list-Esha Gupta
7:55 AM
Meera Vohra (BOMBAY TIMES; November 8, 2021)
Actress and Miss India International 2007 Esha Gupta was in Varanasi recently. While in the city, Esha indulged in all things touristy, visiting the ghats for Ganga aarti, going for darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple and also going shopping for the famous Banarasi sarees.
The Baadshaho actress said, “I love travelling as my father was in the Air Force, so we have travelled with him and seen a lot of our country. Every holiday, we used to take a road trip and explore places. Varanasi was always on my wish list, so when my friend Abhishek Jalan invited me for a visit, I was more than eager to go there. I did what every tourist does in the city. I went for the boat ride, walked on the ghat and sought blessings at Kashi Vishwanath temple. I did not want to miss out on anything. I visited Spain recently and when they got to know that I am Indian, they expressed their wish to visit Varanasi. I really felt proud that people from such faraway places want to come and see our country.”
Esha, who hails from Amroha, in UP, said, “While coming to Varanasi, I was looking forward to UP ka khaana. So, I really binged on it the moment I landed in Varanasi. I started with an early morning breakfast of kachori and sabzi, then it was time for other Banarasi delicacies like sattu ka paratha, etc. Apart from the food, what I really loved about the city is the language. The tone and way people talk in Varanasi is so affable that it instantly strikes a chord.”
The Chakravyuh actress also performed puja and Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedha Ghat. She says, “This was my first experience of a live Ganga aarti and it was just beautiful. People watching the aarti from boats and the floating diyas in the Ganga made for a very mesmerising view. There is a different kind of smell, very earthy, which makes you feel that you are in the heart of India. Indians are basically very courteous and helpful, and this is what I also found in Varanasi. I feel my visit there was a divine calling.”
I was told to get my skin lightened, nose changed as its not sharp like other actresses-Esha Gupta
8:31 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 28, 2021)
During her childhood, Esha Gupta was often called ‘Kaali maa’ not because she was powerful like the Goddess but because she had a dark complexion. At that age, she never understood the name-calling and did not pay heed to it. However, the actor was shocked to have faced it again when she entered Bollywood with people taking it a step further and suggesting she go for skin whitening procedures.
“After my first film had released (Jannat 2, 2012), I used to go to meetings and auditions where people used to suggest, ‘Oh, you should get your skin colour lightened’ since a lot of actors have had it done,” reveals Gupta.
She adds that she is “absolutely okay” with her “body and features” and feels that the decision to alter one’s body should never be taken under any pressure. “There were moments when people also told me that I’ll never get that ‘girl-next-door’ roles, and I was fine with it. But I didn’t want anyone to say that it was because of my colour,” says the Rustom (2016) actor, who goes on to share that at one point, she was even advised to get her nose corrected as “its not sharp like other actresses”.
While it affected her mentally then, she is glad that nothing shook her confidence over the years. Gupta shares that during her modelling days everyone loved her “skin colour” and on foreign shores too, it’s hugely complimented. She shares, “During the Coronavirus pandemic when I was working in Spain, everyone would compliment my skin tone.”
Kunal Kapoor, Esha Gupta and Malaika Arora have never been out of shape; dole out tricks to maintain a good physique
8:13 AM
Kunal Kapoor, Esha Gupta and Malaika Arora, three actors who’ve never been out of shape, dole out details of their routine and tricks to maintain a good physique for decades
MID-DAY (August 25, 2021)
Kunal Kapoor
What egged you on to take to a healthy lifestyle?
People assume body-shaming is restricted to those who are overweight. But, I went through it because I was thin. I was a child who had bronchitis, and fell sick as soon as seasons changed. People always told me I needed to eat more. I [connected] with someone who, like me, was thin, but was able to bulk up, and began to train at an akhada. When you see results, and hear people compliment you, you are inspired. It started off with the desire to look good, but it evolved into something bigger. Eventually, I got deeply involved, and began to learn new things. I also recently went to London to do a parkour course.
A regimen that forms the crux of your routine I think martial arts and yoga are pretty comprehensive. They target different factors associated with wellness, including strength and flexibility training, apart from other essentials.
As someone with a high Basal Metabolic Rate, what are the tricks to bulk up for cinema ?
Compound movements, and lifting heavier weights. You need to also eat seven to eight meals a day, and up the carbohydrate intake. There have been days when I have had to wake up early only to eat a heavy meal. I also need to train, regardless of my shooting schedule [to prevent muscle depletion]. This may involve waking up at 4.30 am to exercise, or doing so at 1 am, after the shoot wraps up. Between shooting schedules, I also train in the vanity van. However, given a choice, I’d rather be lean and fast [than big and bulky]. There’s no point in looking great if you can’t do functional movements.
Misconceptions people have about physical transformations
An actor does it under supervision, with the involvement of a dietician, and nutritionist who monitor blood parameters. Don’t aspire to it.
Esha Gupta
I have been on a gluten-free vegan diet for 13 years. I was born in a vegetarian family, so becoming vegan was not a tough task. It definitely reduces your meal options though. The more I learn about the right kind of protein and fat that should be consumed, the more agile I feel.
A mistake you would never make
Fall for fad diets, or take pills to lose weight, as promoted by celebrities. I also know that staying fit involves taking to a fitness regimen as well. You cannot follow an unhealthy diet, and train, and wonder why you are not seeing the results you desire. On the other hand, any kind of training is important to keep the body mobile, and burn surplus calories.
Toughest part of maintaining a physique post the age of 30
Women have it tough when it comes to maintaining weight. We get bloated during our periods, or at the slightest hormonal change. It is important to practice healthy habits from [a young age]. I used to play volleyball, now I play tennis. Also, when I head for [vacations] with my friends, we indulge in a lot of sports-related activities.
Malaika Arora
Biggest learning in maintaining a healthy physique
Working towards building a strong mind is as crucial as building a [physique]. Nourishing your body with wholesome food, staying hydrated, getting restful sleep, and being physically active are incredible tools to maintain fitness levels. Also, being self-assured is essential. That is what is also promoted in the show I judge, MTV Supermodels.
A principle that forms the crux of your regimen
I swear by the goodness of yoga. It’s an integral part of my lifestyle and has umpteen benefits. It helps me stay calm and feel good about myself, inside out. I can do the asanas anywhere, and it’s my go-to mantra whenever I need to clear the clutter in my mind. It makes me disciplined and peaceful. Also, I find joy in trying everything, be it yoga, pilates or weight training.
Toughest part of maintaining a physique post the age of 40
After a certain age, your athletic levels become apparent. Ageing takes its toll; metabolism slows down, and bones begin to weaken. To combat it, it is essential to prioritise taking to a healthy life, and treating the body like a temple. It is the best way to remain youthful and fabulous.
I’d love to play P T Usha on screen-Esha Gupta
8:02 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 17, 2021)
Actress Esha Gupta, currently in Europe completing a string of professional commitments, is elated about India’s performance at the recently concluded Olympic Games in Tokyo. The former Miss India International was a part of the National Volleyball Team and a track-and-field athlete in school. Like javelin-throw gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, she, too grew up idolising sports icons like Milkha Singh and P T Usha, the latter in particular, for breaking the glass ceiling as far as Indian women sports is concerned.
Talking about it, Esha says, “I used to run track, but only at the inter-school level. I would run 400 meters and have won a lot of championships and gold medals, which my parents have proudly showcased in their house and my house. Basically, my parents used to call me P T Usha when I was really young. My mother would tell me stories about P T Usha being the queen of track in India, and as kids, we would watch her on TV. She really inspired me because we didn’t have a lot of female Indian athletes at that time, and I was enamoured by her.”
Esha adds, “Occasionally, whenever I’ve been asked, I’ve openly expressed that I’d love to play P T Usha on screen. I was heartbroken when I heard that a biopic on her was being made, because I really wished I could have played her on screen. From what I have heard, it’s still not been made, maybe the biopic is waiting and it’s going to come to me. Who wouldn’t want to play P T Usha, after all? If that happens, it would be a dream come true to play one of the most iconic Indian sports figures. I think I even look like her. Our structures are similar, and our faces are similar. P T Usha, for me, is one of those iconic names from India that I would want my children to remember.”
Elaborating on how she feels about our Indian sports stars needing a better support system, she says, “We don’t have that kind of support, facilities, and provisions for our sports people that international sports stars have. So, I really wish that our athletes are given all of that. I feel proud when I see the new generation do so well at the Olympic Games without even having proper facilities. Most of them come from small towns, villages and they don’t even have a proper track to run, a proper stadium, a proper toilet or even air-conditioning and TV sets. In a country like ours, the only sport widely recognised is cricket. I would really love to see India on a bigger platform in sports. The country has the potential to become a top contender at the Olympics with an increased focus on its athletes.”
Talking about Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, the actress continues, “Neeraj Chopra is exemplary. He’s made us all teary-eyed; and when the National Anthem was played on his win, he couldn’t have made India prouder. He’s put us on a different platform like none of us have.”
Anyone who passes by my house in Spain will know that there is a desi living here-Esha Gupta
7:59 AM
The actress, who has been living in Spain for the last few months, hopes that she returns to India soon to resume work on her web shows
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; July 31, 2021)
It’s been a few months since Esha Gupta made Spain her new home. Right before the second lockdown, she flew there for work, and since then, she has parked herself there. “I left India before the lockdown for a fashion shoot in Dubai, where I was staying at my relative’s place. At that point, the second lockdown was announced in Mumbai. And I had to fly to Spain for another shoot in Marbella and from there I headed to Madrid. I have been living here for the last few months,” says Esha.
Like most other actors, Esha, too, saw her projects being abruptly halted when the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic hit us. “I had begun shooting for a web series in February in Kolkata. The vibe on the set was very good as everybody was happy to be back to work. After that project, there were two other digital projects that I was in discussion for. We were to begin the shoot, but all our schedules went for a toss due to the lockdown. I am eagerly waiting to hear from the respective teams and for the projects to go on floors again. I hope my phone rings soon and I am back in India for work,” she says.
Talking about her routine in Spain, the Commando 2 actress says, “I wake up early as my trainer comes over at 7 am and we do some high-intensity workout. I am following a strict diet where I eat only homemade food. I have my cheat meal once a week. I am keeping myself in shape so that the moment I get a call from India to come back on set, I can resume work looking perfectly fit.”
Esha shares, “Anyone who passes by my house in Spain will know that there is a desi living here, because I am a true North Indian at heart and I enjoy Indian khaana, and you can’t miss the whiff of that. I have found shops here from where I buy hing and jeera and stock my pantry with all Indian ingredients. I have a lot of Indian friends here for company.”
Ask her if she is using this time visiting and familiarising herself with the picturesque locales in the country, and she says, “Yes, I am; I enjoy going to Ibiza. But then, the very next moment, I feel guilty and anxious about when I will resume work. You feel that yaar, tum yeh holiday toh kar rahe ho, but do you deserve it? I really feel that work life needs to be back on track. I get nervous. So, I have been meditating a lot. I also play tennis and golf to keep my mind occupied. Between all this, I have also been dubbing for the one web show I shot for. During COVID, we realised that actors could also work from home. Who knew that one could dub from the confines of your house! It’s just that I don’t have a soundproof room. So, I wake up at 5 am and dub, so that I can avoid even the sound of chirping birds.”
Last year, the actress was seen in a web show, and now she has three more web shows in her kitty. Esha seems to be riding high on the digital wave. “I am enjoying this medium of storytelling. In movies, there is only so much you can do in the run time of two-and-a-half hours. Through the pandemic, the OTT platforms gave actors a lot of opportunities and kept the ball rolling. There is so much scope in the digital space for actors to pick from. In movies, only a privileged few get this option. Through this medium, there are many people who are ready to bet on us.”
The other thing that Esha loves is the format of web shows, which she believes enjoys a longer shelf-life. She says, “If the word-of-mouth is strong, then even an old show can catch your attention. Like, look at Bobby Deol starrer Aashram. I didn’t see it at the time it dropped online. I watched it much later. It was such a wonderful show that I watched it with my whole family.”
While the web has caught her attention, Esha also hopes that she gets to explore some plum projects down South, too. In 2017, she was a part of a Telugu film called Veedevaduand in 2019, she was seen in a dance number in the Ram Charan-starrer Vinaya Vidheya Rama. She says, “I really like the South film industry. It’s very closeknit. The people there are very warm and share a lot of respect. Though their movies are over-the-top, the people are completely opposite, they are shy and quiet. Their level of professionalism is something else. There’s no favouritism there. I would really like to spread my wings down South.”
This is how I want my life to be, says Esha Gupta on her dream life in Spain
8:03 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 26, 2021)
A while back, Esha Gupta flew to Spain. Happy to be living the life of her dreams there, she is dividing her time between business and leisure. Talking on the importance on having a life beyond the world of showbiz, she shares, “I prefer having a life of my own since I love meeting new people and learn from them. Life happens when you plan other things. Look at me! I was a lawyer who became an actor. Life is way more than just the work we do and I’m blessed to have that. To each their own, but this is how I want my life to be.”
The actor travelled to Spain a few months ago. After isolating herself for a few days upon landing, she hit the road, vacationing in Marbella and Formentera. “Coronavirus is handled well here,” she says, adding, “People don’t need masks to go out on the streets anymore which makes me happy for all the elderly people as they can take their walks now and breathe the fresh air.”
Gupta has created a dubbing set-up in the basement of her house and is currently dubbing for her Bollywood projects from there. “It’s the only place in the house where no noise can come through. I use my headphones and phone to send voice recordings,” she further says.
However, adapting to this new way of working hasn’t been a smooth ride for the Total Dhamaal (2019) actor. “It’s tougher as your team or the technical team isn’t around. Coordination, placement and then overseeing the scene and the dubbing, isn’t easy. But everyone is making the best of what they have. However, I truly hope this way of dubbing doesn’t become our normal ever. It has, nevertheless, been an experience,” she ends.
I would love to do a sizzling photoshoot with Vidyut Jammwal-Esha Gupta
8:25 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; June 8, 2020)
Whether it is through the kind of roles she chooses or the gorgeous and glamourous pictures she posts on social media — Esha Gupta seems to be someone who is comfortable in her skin and brave enough to express herself freely. In a conversation with Bombay Times, the actress says that shooting intimate scenes is not as simple as it might seem, and she also tells us about the one actor she would like to do a sizzling photoshoot with.Elaborating on shooting intimate scenes, Esha, who made her Bollywood debut with Jannat 2 (2012) and was later seen in Raaz 3 (2012), recounts, “In Raaz 3, there was a scene where Emraan (Hashmi) and I feel spirits around us. We have a near-death experience, and I am crying in the scene as I am petrified. In such a scenario, I had to kiss Emraan. Firstly, I was a newcomer, and then, it was a tough scene to crack as the kiss, and our expressions had to look convincing. I am glad that Emraan, who is very patient with newcomers, was my co-star.”
The actress adds that with people watching content made across the world, today, bold scenes on the big screen aren’t as big a deal as they used to be. She says, “I have kissed thrice on-screen — twice with Emraan and once with Vidyut (Jammwal).” Esha, who is extremely impressed with her Commando 2 co-star’s fitness and physique, says, “I would like to do a sizzling hot photoshoot with him. Have you seen him working out! The other day, he posted a video in which he was pulling a bullock cart by himself. He is one good-looking, macho man with an amazing physique. I would love to pose with him. We have done two films (Commando 2 and Baadshaho, 2017), and he is a good friend.”
You can mock my looks or my ignorance, but don’t label me a racist-Esha Gupta
8:54 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; February 6, 2019)
Esha Gupta is visibly shaken. Despite trying to put on a brave front, she breaks into tears as she speaks about being labelled a ‘racist’. The actress has faced a massive backlash on social media for sharing a screenshot of her WhatsApp conversation with a friend on Instagram stories a week ago, which had some unsavoury comments on Arsenal’s Nigerian footballer Alexander Iwobi. In the conversation, Esha’s friend called Iwobi “gorilla faced” and said “evolution stopped for him.” Esha replied, “Haha... I don’t know why they don’t bench him more.”
The actress is being trolled for laughing at the comments, this despite being perceived as the club’s ambassador in India. Esha immediately deleted the screenshot and apologised on Twitter, stating, “Guys I am sorry you thought it was racist. Was bad on my part, being a sports lover. Sorry guys, forgive the stupidity. It was our frustration during the game. Sorry as I didn't realise it directed towards racism. We laughed over the spur of the moment which was the game results. I have been the victim of racism before. This is not something I am proud of. It was a fault. Sorry guys!” The apology invited further trouble for the actress as her words, ‘you thought it was racist’, didn’t go down well with those calling out the evident racism.
Meanwhile, Arsenal has condemned the incident in a statement and clarified that Esha is not the official club ambassador. It read, “This person is not an official club ambassador and we totally condemn racist language of this nature, which has no place in our game or society. As a club, we work hard to break down barriers and ensure everyone feels part of the Arsenal family.”
The actress rushed to Mumbai from Delhi, where she was tending to her ailing mother and in an emotional chat with Bombay Times, she introspects on the situation and why the backlash has deeply affected her. Excerpts...
What transpired in that conversation with your friend?
The Arsenal game was on and the frustration of it was being discussed on a group chat on WhatsApp. We all do it when we watch a crucial game in any sport. Even while watching cricket, we say things like, ‘Kya yaar, dhang se khel.” My friends were saying something, I was laughing at it because we were discussing other things, too. The only thing that I wrote was, “Why don’t they bench him?” I am very passionate about sports and Arsenal has been my life.
You didn’t make the ‘gorilla’ and ‘Neanderthal’ comment, but you laughed at it. Isn’t that as bad as partaking in the name calling?
I didn’t make those comments. I mentioned the benching. My mistake was the ‘haha’, but honestly, when you are discussing hundred things on a group chat while the game is on, you don’t tend to read each and every comment that’s written. It was all about the frustration of the game, and my ‘haha’ was in response to that emotion.
Call it dumbness, ignorance or me not thinking it through, it was a spur of the moment reaction. I really didn’t know the repercussions that the word (gorilla) could spark. In India when we use the term (monkey for instance), we don’t look at it as a derogatory word. Bandar toh hum masti mein bol dete hai. In a playful way we say things like, “Yeh toh bandar lag raha hai.” It’s never used as a cuss word. If I have to abuse someone, I’ll perhaps use a Punjabi gaali. No one ever uses (Gorilla) as a gaali. I really didn’t know that (it has a racial slur). When the backlash began, at that time I didn’t know, ke log kis baat pe bhadak rahe hai. So my first reaction was ‘sorry if you thought it was racist’.
Don’t you think the situation needed a better worded apology? It seemed half-hearted.
You write better worded apologies if there’s even remotely something in your heart that tells you that you may have done something wrong. It was a spontaneous tweet. If I had any hate or negative thought behind posting that chat, I wouldn’t have done it in the first place. Main jaan boojhkar khulley mein kyun bolungi ke main racist hoon? People should think about it. Is it even logical? My first apology wasn’t a planned one. I wrote what I thought at that moment. All the sports fanatics across the world, who were quick to label me as ‘racist’ should know that even I am a person of colour. Nothing comes easy to us! I would be the last person to do it to someone. The word racist has affected me the most. It’s a hate crime! How do I explain or make someone believe that I am not a racist? They will believe what they want to. I feel helpless. It took me two days to realise what happened. I can face hate for something that I know I have done.
Have you reached out to Alexander Iwobi and apologized to him?I have sent an apology letter via email to Iwobi directly, as well as the club (a copy of which is with BT). There was no point reaching out to him on Twitter. I wanted the statement to reach him first and I have done that. The person who is affected by it the most should know that I am really sorry. I hope to say sorry to him in person as well, because my love for sports is so deep that I will be the last person to disrespect a sportsman on the basis of his colour.
Have you met Iwobi before?
I haven’t met him yet. Had I met him before, he would have known that I am not what people have labelled me as. I am an actor who has refused to endorse fairness creams at the beginning of my career, because I don’t believe that if you are light skinned, you will get married easily, find work and things will fall into place. I have never endorsed that mindset for money. People said things like she stands against sexism but not against racism. Are you saying I only support brown women? What does that even mean? I am one of the few actresses who has always stood for things and have been vocal about it.
You have always been an Arsenal loyalist, but many demanded that you be dropped as the club’s ambassador in India since you don’t align with their values.
I am not Arsenal’s brand ambassador. I am a female celeb who follows football. My dad follows football. I was 13 when I saw Arsenal play at the Highbury stadium (home of Arsenal FC, till 2006). The biggest highlight of my life was meeting Thierry Henry. He is the reason I started following football. I love the sport and Arsenal has always been my favourite team. If I had an issue with someone’s nationality, I wouldn’t have followed club football; instead, I would have just followed countries and their national teams. Be it actors or sportsmen, we can’t call ourselves global citizens if we were just pro this and pro that.
Do you think that making loose comments that hint towards colour bias, is considered quite normal amongst us. Be it our obsession with fair skin tones or the recent episode where the stump mic captured Pakistani cricket captain Safraz Ahmed making a racist comment ( kaaley) against South African allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo.
I was always against ‘gorapan bechna hai’. I am not your gori chitti heroine and I am proud of who I am. Yes, I have heard people say things like “yeh Punjabi hoke bhi kaali hai.” Maybe, we use these terms lightly, but we don’t always look at it in derogatory fashion as India is so diverse. We grow up among people of different colour and we celebrate our diversity.
You were slammed on social media for saying you have been a victim of racism, too.
Are you saying we don’t face racism when we travel abroad? Things do change once you become a celeb, but you still face it. Tell me one person who hasn’t faced it. I was 17 years old when I faced it in Europe. We were in a restaurant and despite repeated requests, the waiters refused to attend to us. They kept looking through us as if we didn’t exist. Everyone calls us ‘curry’ internationally. Even we face it, so why would I do it to someone else? The picture that is being painted is wrong. Why accuse me of something I have not done? That’s not our upbringing.
In hindsight, what do you regret the most?
I didn’t say this till now, but social media is a big regret. It’s easier to get onto your phones and start ranting against people without even giving the person a chance to speak. Everyone thinks that they can make news, courtesy social media and they do that. Lack of knowledge is my only regret here. You can call me anything. You can mock my looks or my ignorance, but don’t label me a racist. For me, it’s as bad as being called a criminal. You are saying I hate a player because he is black? I have been following the club since I was a child and they have always had players of colour. This is not the first time.
You were linked to Arsenal footballer Hector Bellerin two years ago. Even he was addressed in tweets and was told about what his ex has done.
Why are we dragging those who are not involved in this situation? I worship sportsmen. Be it Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alexandre Lacazette, Thierry Henry, Rafael Nadal… no true sports fan can be racist.
Even though women are often better than men in various fields, we are still fighting for equality-Esha Gupta
8:09 AM
Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; August 8, 2018)
Giving new meaning to bold and beautiful, Esha Gupta pursues adventure sports with great passion. In fact, such is her love for thrills that she prefers adventure sports over run-of-the-mill vacations. She says, “Every year instead of a luxury holiday, I plan trips based on adventure sports. I try out at least one new adventure sport and I loved it when I went skydiving. This year I was busy with work and I didn’t get time but, when I do have some time off, I plan to go deep sea diving.”
Talking of sports, the actress often praises female athletes on social media when they excel at various international competitions. She says, “Social media reflects our lives and thoughts and I make it a point to always support our athletes, especially women sportspersons. Even though women are often better than men in various fields, we are still fighting for equality. I am not saying that girls are equal to boys that can be an unfair comparison. After all, only women have the ability to give birth and even after that they still play sports. In fact women don’t let hormonal changes that occur after a certain age act as a deterrent in pursuing sports. I also hope the government recognises athletes in sports other than cricket, so they don’t have to sell their gold medals for bread and butter.”
I am made to feel bad about the way I look when 90% girls in India look like me-Esha Gupta
8:00 AM
Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; August 28, 2017)
Few would know what it is
like to be in the eye of a storm for following what their heart says.
Esha Gupta (Miss India International 2007), for one would know. The
former pageant winner, who represented India on an international
platform, flagged off her acting career in Bollywood with consecutive
successes. Her golden run was interrupted by a few duds but she's
clearly taken it all in her stride. Gearing up for
the release of her next -heist drama, Baadshaho, directed by Milan
Luthria, Esha talks to BT about the unpredictability of the business,
being slut-shamed and why racist comments don't affect her... Excerpts:
Baadshaho features a strong line-up of actors - Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'Cruz, Emraan Hashmi, Vidyut Jammwal and Sanjay Mishra. What were you looking for when you decided to come on board as the sixth 'badass'?
I don't know what I'm looking for, but I know what I'm not looking for. I am being selective because one mistake can derail my career. I won't have anyone to fall back on. When I hear a script, I try to understand how instrumental my role is. I also think about whether I've done something similar before. I wanted to be a part of Baadshaho because it's a role I haven't done before. Also, despite being a heist film, it doesn't feature cars being blown up mindlessly. There's a lot of substance here.
No one can predict if a film will be a hit or a flop. Does the unpredictable nature of show business scare you?
Being an actor in Hindi cinema doesn't mean that you have a confirmed job. The industry is like the share market. You don't know when your position will be on top and when you will hit rock bottom. But that's the beauty of the industry. You never know who makes it big. Look at Shah Rukh Khan. He made it completely on his own and inspires so many of us. I was aware of these things even before I stepped into the business. Life is all about taking risks; I have always been a risk-taker. I grew up in a family where there was no family business to take over or fall back on. My father was in the Air Force and I knew I had to do something on my own.
Several of your contemporaries and you are gunning for the same roles. How difficult has it been to navigate your way in the business?
A lot of people believe that attending film parties will get you work. I don't understand how within 10 minutes of having a drink, meeting a person and chatting with them can get you work. A party is the worst place to discuss work. I have never done it and I don't think I can ever do it. I believe that if someone wants to give me work, they will. No matter how much I suck up to someone, I won't land a role. In fact, behind my back, they will speak ill about me. But most actors do get work like that and good for them.
Nepotism has been a point of conversation lately...
(Cuts in) Nepotism exists in the industry. It's easy for star kids because they don't have to think about where their rent will come from. They don't have to worry about their basic necessities or their expensive dance classes. Outsiders who move to Mumbai have to worry about all of the above. It's very easy for the industry to dismiss an outsider. They keep pushing their own people even if they deliver consecutive flops. When you continue to give opportunities to someone, they will improve and become better actors. For outsiders, those opportunities are far lesser. That's the only time I feel, that maybe, I should mingle around a little.
In retrospect, while your first two films turned out to be successful at the box office, subsequent films like Chakravyuh and Humshakals didn't set the cash registers ringing. Do you regret those choices?
You can't regret the choices you make. Chakravyuh didn't work at the box office, but I got a chance to work with a prolific filmmaker like Prakash Jha. His films are hard-hitting despite the uncertainty of the commercial outcome. Chakravyuh was critically acclaimed and applauded. There is never any guarantee with any film, but it's a risk worth taking. I have carved my niche in the industry and the choices, good bad or ugly, are mine.
The humour in Humshakals went horribly wrong. Is it difficult to understand if a comedy, which seems to work on paper, can translate well on screen, too?
It's a human error. Sometimes, we get over confident and also take the audience for granted. But the audience is not dumb. That's the reason why big budget films, which don't have good content, are failing to make a mark. When I saw Fukrey, and more recently, Hindi Medium, I was blown away by the content and I really wanted to be a part of these films.
Another aspect of being a celebrity is endorsements. You refused to endorse a fairness brand. Does our country's obsession with fair skin baffle you?
I am proud of the way I look. In Europe, brown skin is celebrated. In India, I have to face discrimination for my complexion. I am considered kaali and there are people who refer to my skin colour as kaala. It's sheer hypocrisy. I am made to feel bad about the way I look when 90 per cent girls in India look like me. They have the same skin tone as mine, dark brown eyes and are voluptuous. There are very few women who have a light skin colour. There is a reason I spoke openly about not wanting to endorse a fairness brand. I am okay with the fact that a cream can make me look bright but I cannot endorse something which talks about lightening my skin tone.
The brand had reportedly threatened to drag you to court over the deal...
Yeah. When I refused to be a part of it, I was told that the matter will be sorted out in court. I was ready to take them on. However, it didn't reach that stage since the brand would have been affected more than me. Commercials show how fair skin helps a girl get a job, get married and also depict her gaining the confidence to conquer the world. As a society, we have perpetrated stereotypes associated with fair skin. Internationally, Rihanna and Beyonce are celebrated. In our country, a girl with my complexion will be offered hot and sexy characters, and the gori chitti girl will be cast as the seedhi sadhi ladki. Are they trying to say that brown-skinned girls can't be seedhi sadhi? And why just skin colour? We're also judged for what we wear. If I wear a salwar kameez, you will call me a behenji and if I wear a short skirt, you will call me a w***e. Why is it that my attire affects you so much?
Baadshaho features a strong line-up of actors - Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'Cruz, Emraan Hashmi, Vidyut Jammwal and Sanjay Mishra. What were you looking for when you decided to come on board as the sixth 'badass'?
I don't know what I'm looking for, but I know what I'm not looking for. I am being selective because one mistake can derail my career. I won't have anyone to fall back on. When I hear a script, I try to understand how instrumental my role is. I also think about whether I've done something similar before. I wanted to be a part of Baadshaho because it's a role I haven't done before. Also, despite being a heist film, it doesn't feature cars being blown up mindlessly. There's a lot of substance here.
No one can predict if a film will be a hit or a flop. Does the unpredictable nature of show business scare you?
Being an actor in Hindi cinema doesn't mean that you have a confirmed job. The industry is like the share market. You don't know when your position will be on top and when you will hit rock bottom. But that's the beauty of the industry. You never know who makes it big. Look at Shah Rukh Khan. He made it completely on his own and inspires so many of us. I was aware of these things even before I stepped into the business. Life is all about taking risks; I have always been a risk-taker. I grew up in a family where there was no family business to take over or fall back on. My father was in the Air Force and I knew I had to do something on my own.
Several of your contemporaries and you are gunning for the same roles. How difficult has it been to navigate your way in the business?
A lot of people believe that attending film parties will get you work. I don't understand how within 10 minutes of having a drink, meeting a person and chatting with them can get you work. A party is the worst place to discuss work. I have never done it and I don't think I can ever do it. I believe that if someone wants to give me work, they will. No matter how much I suck up to someone, I won't land a role. In fact, behind my back, they will speak ill about me. But most actors do get work like that and good for them.
Nepotism has been a point of conversation lately...
(Cuts in) Nepotism exists in the industry. It's easy for star kids because they don't have to think about where their rent will come from. They don't have to worry about their basic necessities or their expensive dance classes. Outsiders who move to Mumbai have to worry about all of the above. It's very easy for the industry to dismiss an outsider. They keep pushing their own people even if they deliver consecutive flops. When you continue to give opportunities to someone, they will improve and become better actors. For outsiders, those opportunities are far lesser. That's the only time I feel, that maybe, I should mingle around a little.
In retrospect, while your first two films turned out to be successful at the box office, subsequent films like Chakravyuh and Humshakals didn't set the cash registers ringing. Do you regret those choices?
You can't regret the choices you make. Chakravyuh didn't work at the box office, but I got a chance to work with a prolific filmmaker like Prakash Jha. His films are hard-hitting despite the uncertainty of the commercial outcome. Chakravyuh was critically acclaimed and applauded. There is never any guarantee with any film, but it's a risk worth taking. I have carved my niche in the industry and the choices, good bad or ugly, are mine.
The humour in Humshakals went horribly wrong. Is it difficult to understand if a comedy, which seems to work on paper, can translate well on screen, too?
It's a human error. Sometimes, we get over confident and also take the audience for granted. But the audience is not dumb. That's the reason why big budget films, which don't have good content, are failing to make a mark. When I saw Fukrey, and more recently, Hindi Medium, I was blown away by the content and I really wanted to be a part of these films.
Another aspect of being a celebrity is endorsements. You refused to endorse a fairness brand. Does our country's obsession with fair skin baffle you?
I am proud of the way I look. In Europe, brown skin is celebrated. In India, I have to face discrimination for my complexion. I am considered kaali and there are people who refer to my skin colour as kaala. It's sheer hypocrisy. I am made to feel bad about the way I look when 90 per cent girls in India look like me. They have the same skin tone as mine, dark brown eyes and are voluptuous. There are very few women who have a light skin colour. There is a reason I spoke openly about not wanting to endorse a fairness brand. I am okay with the fact that a cream can make me look bright but I cannot endorse something which talks about lightening my skin tone.
The brand had reportedly threatened to drag you to court over the deal...
Yeah. When I refused to be a part of it, I was told that the matter will be sorted out in court. I was ready to take them on. However, it didn't reach that stage since the brand would have been affected more than me. Commercials show how fair skin helps a girl get a job, get married and also depict her gaining the confidence to conquer the world. As a society, we have perpetrated stereotypes associated with fair skin. Internationally, Rihanna and Beyonce are celebrated. In our country, a girl with my complexion will be offered hot and sexy characters, and the gori chitti girl will be cast as the seedhi sadhi ladki. Are they trying to say that brown-skinned girls can't be seedhi sadhi? And why just skin colour? We're also judged for what we wear. If I wear a salwar kameez, you will call me a behenji and if I wear a short skirt, you will call me a w***e. Why is it that my attire affects you so much?
Men tend to have a problem if a woman goes bold. Their manhood is challenged-Esha Gupta
8:08 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 14, 2017)
For the last two weeks, Esha
Gupta has turned into a sensation on the internet with pictures from a
photo-shoot where she's flaunted her body beautiful with aplomb. The
actress collaborated with two of her friends, a stylist and a
photographer for the shoot which was done in the comforts of her own
house. Ever since she started posting these pictures, her social media
page went into a tizzy with comments varying from fabulous, flattering
to outright mean and nasty. Trolls came down heavily on the actress, who
will next be seen in Baadshaho. Esha even admits she was expecting negative reactions, and they don't surprise her.
“In our country, women are eternally blamed. They are accused when a girl child is born, they are even accused even when they raped. So, somewhere I knew that I will also have to face a lot of heat. After all, it's easiest for some faceless and redundant people to pull a celebrity down at the first opportunity. I've done shoots like this one when I was a model. I've gone topless and naked, too. No one ever asked me about that. And who are these people who have 'issues' with my pictures? It's my body and it's been shot aesthetically. There's a thin line, which if you cross, you look vulgar. No one can say my pictures are vulgar. I got more love than hate, but it's better to be hated than to be forgotten. And right now, I'm in my best shape. Although we knew where this could lead, we thought, 'If not now, then when?'“ argues Esha, who is also accused on social media for trying to look like Angelina Jolie.
Bring this up and she continues, “Find me a doctor who says I went under the scalpel to look like that. It's not my fault that I look a certain way. I'm a carbon copy of my mother, who's far prettier than me. So, should we then say that Angelina Jolie has aped my mother's looks? No, we won't, right? On both sides of my family, fuller lips are common feature. We have a beautiful country but people like the out-of-job-web-junkies spoil it for all of us.“
On the brighter side, Esha (Miss India International 2007) has found plenty of women who have posted appreciative comments about her recent photo-shoot. When asked if this was a liberating experience for her, the actress points out that she was always liberated. “Men tend to have a problem if a woman goes bold. Their manhood is challenged. They are prudes; they must have even saved these pictures on their phone. And here we are in the country of Ajanta and Ellora, and Kamasutra, objecting to a woman's photo-shoot which she has done on her own will. So, my attitude is, 'S***w them', and that's the point I wanted to make. The pictures turned out so beautiful that I didn't want to hold them back. The thing is that I've been comfortable and confident about my body all along,“ says Esha.
In situations like these, parents often become soft targets for trolls and naysayers. The actress insists that her parents, who probably aren't even aware of the social media hullabaloo about her pictures, have never interfered with her work. The only time they insisted on something was when they wanted her to pursue a degree in law. “I'm blessed with the nicest family. Initially, they were taken aback with the way this place functions and how everything from an engagement to a break-up becomes news. But today, they don't pay much attention,“ says Esha, adding, “As a law graduate, I know what I'm doing. I've survived this industry on my terms and that's not changing. I'm not a girl from the woods who has made it here. And for those ready to give me lessons on behaving Indian, I'm more Indian they can be. My father has served the nation and I represented it proudly on an international platform (Miss India and Miss Universe).“
Did her film industry colleagues react to her pictures? The actress chirps, “Yes. Some of them did. Like Milan Luthria told me, 'You're killing it with these photos. I'll be there for you if need arises.' I'm relieved and happy. Now, isn't that what we all seek?“
“In our country, women are eternally blamed. They are accused when a girl child is born, they are even accused even when they raped. So, somewhere I knew that I will also have to face a lot of heat. After all, it's easiest for some faceless and redundant people to pull a celebrity down at the first opportunity. I've done shoots like this one when I was a model. I've gone topless and naked, too. No one ever asked me about that. And who are these people who have 'issues' with my pictures? It's my body and it's been shot aesthetically. There's a thin line, which if you cross, you look vulgar. No one can say my pictures are vulgar. I got more love than hate, but it's better to be hated than to be forgotten. And right now, I'm in my best shape. Although we knew where this could lead, we thought, 'If not now, then when?'“ argues Esha, who is also accused on social media for trying to look like Angelina Jolie.
Bring this up and she continues, “Find me a doctor who says I went under the scalpel to look like that. It's not my fault that I look a certain way. I'm a carbon copy of my mother, who's far prettier than me. So, should we then say that Angelina Jolie has aped my mother's looks? No, we won't, right? On both sides of my family, fuller lips are common feature. We have a beautiful country but people like the out-of-job-web-junkies spoil it for all of us.“
On the brighter side, Esha (Miss India International 2007) has found plenty of women who have posted appreciative comments about her recent photo-shoot. When asked if this was a liberating experience for her, the actress points out that she was always liberated. “Men tend to have a problem if a woman goes bold. Their manhood is challenged. They are prudes; they must have even saved these pictures on their phone. And here we are in the country of Ajanta and Ellora, and Kamasutra, objecting to a woman's photo-shoot which she has done on her own will. So, my attitude is, 'S***w them', and that's the point I wanted to make. The pictures turned out so beautiful that I didn't want to hold them back. The thing is that I've been comfortable and confident about my body all along,“ says Esha.
In situations like these, parents often become soft targets for trolls and naysayers. The actress insists that her parents, who probably aren't even aware of the social media hullabaloo about her pictures, have never interfered with her work. The only time they insisted on something was when they wanted her to pursue a degree in law. “I'm blessed with the nicest family. Initially, they were taken aback with the way this place functions and how everything from an engagement to a break-up becomes news. But today, they don't pay much attention,“ says Esha, adding, “As a law graduate, I know what I'm doing. I've survived this industry on my terms and that's not changing. I'm not a girl from the woods who has made it here. And for those ready to give me lessons on behaving Indian, I'm more Indian they can be. My father has served the nation and I represented it proudly on an international platform (Miss India and Miss Universe).“
Did her film industry colleagues react to her pictures? The actress chirps, “Yes. Some of them did. Like Milan Luthria told me, 'You're killing it with these photos. I'll be there for you if need arises.' I'm relieved and happy. Now, isn't that what we all seek?“
I'm used to such link ups-Esha Gupta on her dinner date with Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin
7:07 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 28, 2017)
After she sent gossip mills into an overdrive last September by going out on a dinner date with Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin, Bollywood actress Esha Gupta returned to the Queen’s City to unveil the Highbury-based football club’s new kit recently. Insisting that she’s been a sports girl all her life, she says, “I’ve been an Arsenal fan for as long as I can remember. Like every Indian I’m crazy about cricket but football has also intrigued me and I it’s history and geography. Modeling the team jersey was an opportunity too good to miss.”
Speaking of how the opportunity, she informs that she has been invited to sit in the VIP box and watch the game before. “This time, I happened to be in London and when they asked, I told them that I’d love to launch ‘the new awaken’,” she says, adding that despite her interest in the game, she likes to take someone knowledgeable along for matches for company. “It is so I wouldn’t just be the cheer girl in a stadium packed with screaming fans. I watched my first Arsenal game six years ago. They were up against Chelsea. I hope to be their lucky mascot for them during the upcoming match on Saturday so I can hear fans chanting the Arsenel anthem and booing the opponents. From an 'Oh-my-God!’ moment during kickoff to the 'God, save us!' during an penalty, I feel I’m one with thousands of the club fanatics at the stadium.”
She credits her dad with her current interest in football. “My dad is a fan and would rave about how Arsenal always gets and trains amazing new young players. Players like Andre Santos and Lucas Perez are my absolute favourites. It just happens that they also get the most good-looking players,” she laughs.
So, how good a friend is Hector, the club’s 21-year-old star? “That dinner was last year. Honestly I’m used to such link-ups. It’s just that the paparazzi didn’t catch me at any other dinner. I wouldn’t want to comment,” she demurs.
So who’s her favourite player? “Right now I love Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud. I’m also excited about Alexandre Lacazette who has just been signed. At the jersey launch I was asked what number I liked and I picked 9 which was my way of welcoming Lacazette. The moment he signed up, I posted about him online. I’m a fan and get excited when great players are taken on. Talks are on with Thomas Lemar and I hope he comes on board too. We need good players like him,” she asserts.
And has she got any of the players interested in Bollywood yet? “Not yet. Robert Pires came to India some time ago. I met him and I’m guessing he knows about Bollywood and its actors now. If I get a chance, I’d like to screen one of our films for the players. I’ve been an ardent fan of Arsenal for 16 years now but Bollywood comes first,” she signs off.
Hector Bellerin asked me out to dinner and I said, yes-Esha Gupta
7:50 AM
But Esha Gupta rubbishes tattle about her dating Arsenal defender Bellerin
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; November 18, 2016)
Esga Gupta may keep her lips sealed when it comes to her love life, but you know what they say about a picture speaking a thousand words. Late September, the Internet saw pictures of the Rustom actress with Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin in London. Esha posted snaps from inside the stadium, and with Roberto Pires. But it was Hector, 21, who she spent the rest of the evening with.
Esha said, “I am single and not dating Hector. Everyone knows I am a big Arsenal fan and I was in London to watch a match. After the game, I met Hector and a few other players. We clicked a few photographs. Later, he asked me out to dinner and I said, yes. It was a fun evening and we had a good time together.”
Love, in any case, will have to wait because Esha has a busy time ahead of her. She has just wrapped up Commando 2 and will now begin Baadshaho where she is paired opposite Emraan Hashmi. “I am excited to work with Emraan again. I think we make a good onscreen pair and our chemistry turns out well.”
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