Masaba Gupta has always been candid about the influence her mother, Neena Gupta, has had on her life and career. In a freewheeling chat, the designer-turned-actor opens up about Neena’s unapologetic approach to life, her inspiring career graph and her mom’s fashion choices that often face scrutiny on social media.

Talking about why trolls don’t bother her mom, whether it’s about her career, personal life or fashion choices, Masaba says, “There are people who don’t give a damn because it’s cool not to give a damn, and then there are people who actually don’t give a damn - my mom is the latter. She actually doesn’t give a damn because she’s only buying shorts online, wearing them and venturing out (laughs). She comes from a different time, and today, you can be unabashed and be yourself. She only believes in being happy internally and externally.”

Masaba, who in recent times has ventured into acting with shows like Masaba Masaba and Modern Love: Mumbai, says she deeply admires her mother’s continued success as an actor.

“It’s amazing that she’s having her second or third or fourth or fifth innings (laughs). She’s coming here to take all our jobs. It’s amazing because this is what she worked for her whole life. Her honesty and hard work have led her to this point. I’m so happy for her because I think at this age, very few people can achieve that,” she shares.

Sharing what advice her mom gave her about a career in acting, Masaba says, “I was lucky that I was extremely self-critical. I also took my mom’s advice that I would not be able to be a commercial film actress because Indian heroines have looked a certain way, and they will continue to look a certain way. That’s a seismic shift, which will not happen overnight. I was lucky enough to understand from her that if I wanted commercial success, I wouldn’t find it in this space. I was saved because I always had a Plan B and Plan C.”

Now that she has made a foray into acting through OTT platforms, does she hope to appear on the big screen? “Absolutely, I do, but the industry itself is going through a bit of an overhaul right now. Also, it’s not my priority at this moment because my other work takes up 99 per cent of my time. I think I will only take up something if it’s actually meaningful and it does justice to who I am.”

Two red lines on a test kit and a blood test confirmed that she was pregnant. Nine months later, she became a mother. Somewhere in between, she married the father of her child — but the world didn’t make it easy. After the last season of Freedom to Feed, actor and host Neha Dhupia faced backlash, with listeners targeting her personal life and criticizing her for getting pregnant before marriage.

When she found out she was expecting, she decided to tie the knot with her partner. Recalling the moment, she said, “I married Angad [Bedi, actor-husband], and after six months we welcomed our daughter [Mehr]. But the biggest conversation around our wedding was, ‘How did the baby come in six months? Ye ho kaise gaya?’”

Knowing she wasn’t the first woman to be scrutinized, Dhupia dismissed the commentary with humour. “Even now, I see stories and tags on female actors who get pregnant before marriage. I feel, at least, I’m on the same list as Neena Gupta and Alia Bhatt. But honestly, this is ridiculous,” she raged.

She added that no one had the right to dictate, question, or assume when a person should marry or have a baby. “Pregnancy is beautiful, and that’s it!” The criticism became the fuel behind her decision to launch Freedom to Feed, a platform that champions open, stigma-free conversations around motherhood.

Reflecting on her own journey into motherhood, Dhupia said she felt women needed a safe space to talk about pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, and “every challenge that comes with it.”

She added, “We need to normalize discussions around women’s health instead of treating them as taboo. [I wanted] to spread awareness, break myths, and remind women they are not alone in this journey. These subjects should not be swept under the rug. If I’m being trolled for talking about things that affect half the population, then so be it. I’m not going to stop.”

The spotlight is on Sunita Rajwar’s Kranti Devi in the fourth season of Panchayat, and the actor is relishing every bit of it. It feels sweeter considering she was dissatisfied by her character arc in the previous instalment of the comedy that also stars Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, and Jitendra Kumar, among others.

“In the third season, I wasn’t much involved in the series. So, I was low. But this time, all the scenes are interactive. When you have a good team of actors, you enjoy playing the part,” she smiles.

In the Prime Video series’ upcoming season, Rajwar and Gupta play bitter rivals vying to win the upcoming elections. But off-screen, the two enjoy a bond of trust and respect. Rajwar reveals she had shared her last season’s displeasure with Gupta, who helped her overcome the feeling.

“I was feeling awkward and reacting a lot [to the disappointment]. She made me understand things better,” she recalls, adding that her co-star is her go-to person for career and life advice. “If I go haywire, she is always there to guide me.”

Recently, Gupta told mid-day that she enjoys a beautiful working relationship with Rajwar (Today I’m wearing a saree, tomorrow I’ll wear shorts, June 14). Rajwar’s fondness for her is evident as she expresses her admiration for the senior actor’s grounded nature.

“She doesn’t have an ego. If she suggests something and I have a different opinion, she will listen to my point of view. I learn so much by observing how she handles herself.”

Panchayat, over its last three seasons, has become one of those shows that bring a smile to our face. It has the same effect on Neena Gupta too. But the actor, who plays Manju Devi, one of the central characters in the dramedy, says that she was surprised by how the humour had been upped in the fourth season.

“This season has amazing humour. There are certain sequences in which all of us actors would start laughing while performing,” she chuckles.

The Prime Video dramedy also stars Raghubir Yadav, Jitendra Kumar, and Sunita Rajwar, among others. Gupta is among the senior cast members, and enjoys immense respect from her co-stars. Does she dole out advice to her younger co-actors, considering she has a rich four-decade career behind her? She knows better than doing that.

The actor explains, “These days, everyone’s ego is so [inflated] that you have to think a hundred times before you say something to someone. They don’t like it. I had a couple of such experiences [outside of the show]. Once, I said something in a friendly manner to another actor. That person took off on me. I was in tears.”

Such experiences have made her wary of reaching out to not only younger co-stars, but also those senior to her. “I had a senior co-star who would act well, but didn’t believe in give-and-take as co-actors. I can advise some people, like Sunita. She knows I don’t have ill intentions if I’m making her understand something.”

At 66, Gupta’s thriving career is an antidote to Bollywood’s ageist culture. But then, there has been nothing conventional about the veteran actor, be it her 2017 candid post about not getting work, or making style statements.

Breaking the rules is far from easy, she says. “You have to pay the price for [being unconventional]. But it’s my priority. Today I’m wearing a saree, tomorrow I’ll be wearing shorts. It’s what I feel like doing. I’m not hurting anyone, right? If it had affected the roles I would get, I might not have worn them. Also, I want to say that I didn’t get work because of what I wrote in that post. I got work because of Badhaai Ho [2018]. Basically, your film should be a hit and you should have a good role in it; only then you’ll get more roles,” she laughs.

Neena Gupta feels her life, currently, is a long-running dream. The National Award-winning actor has as many as four diverse stories to tell in the coming months. Not just that, she is also enjoying the precious position of being able to say no to what doesn’t feel right.

“When [good] work comes, I take it up. When it goes to someone else, I feel bad. Now, I am able to say no to projects I don’t enjoy listening to. That makes me very happy. Earlier, I couldn’t because I had to survive,” she smiles. Gupta begins the year with the JioHotstar film, Dil Dosti Aur Dogs, in which the actor plays an emotionally withdrawn woman, who finds an unlikely companion in a furry friend. The actor says she relished entering an unfamiliar territory. “I have never played such a character. It was a big challenge and interesting for me to do,” she says.

Dil Dosti Aur Dogs also offered the actor another opportunity in the comedy space. It’s a genre Gupta has often taken up over her four decade career—from the classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) to her hit OTT outing Panchayat. The actor says comedy is the trickiest genre, which needs the hands of an able director.

“Not everyone is gifted with comic timing and you cannot acquire it. The director has a big role to play in this. If you fall on the wrong note, no one can help you. Long ago, I had replaced an actor on a comedy show. I was told that I had to take it two notes higher that what I was performing on. The pitch of the show was loud. I was so unhappy doing it, but I agreed because that was their style. One has to adapt to various directors. That way, Panchayat is amazing because it is so real that we don’t have to do anything,” says Gupta, who has just finished filming the fourth season of the Prime Video series.

The year will also see the senior actor in director Anurag Basu’s romantic drama, Metro… In Dino, which also stars Konkona Sensharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Sara Ali Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal and Anupam Kher.

Gushing about her maiden collaboration with Basu, she says, “I keep asking him, ‘When are you casting me next?’ Mostly, my segment in the film is with Anupam Kher, but we aren’t playing a couple. We shot in Kolkata and Mumbai. There was so much spontaneity and improvisation on the set. It was great fun as well as a learning,” says Gupta.

She recently finished filming the sequel to her 2022 thriller, Vadh. And now, her eyes set on something more athletic.

“I want to do an action film or a spy thriller. I also want to play a glamorous, cool woman. There was a project in the action space that had come my way. I also had a double role in it but it didn’t work out due to financial reasons. It might work out tomorrow, who knows. I had gotten offered a spy film as well, but that also didn’t materialize. But that’s something I am inclined towards.”

Ram Kapoor has wowed the internet with his drastic physical transformation. The actor shared a selfie on Instagram showcasing his all-new dapper look. The 51-year-old, who was on a long social-media hiatus, left everyone amazed with his sleek and cool new look. It was in April this year when he shared a photo of himself at the gym, showcasing how he was at it!

On Thursday, the actor took to Instagram to share a stylish mirror selfie and captioned it: “Hi guys, sorry for the slightly long absence from Insta, was working on myself quite extensively (sic).” The post featured him flaunting his fit, dapper look in a classic T-shirt and denim look, leaving fans in awe. He shared another pic with wife, actor Gautami Kapoor, which mentioned, “42 Kapoor”, hinting at losing 42 kg.

His post earned a lot of attention from the fraternity and other internet users. While actor Neena Gupta quipped, “What is that u (sic),” actor Karan Wahi dropped several heart emojis. A user wrote, “Has he done gastric bypass surgery?? (sic),” while another joked, “AI generated hai (sic).”

In 2019, Kapoor had undergone a remarkable weight-loss transformation, shedding 30kg in seven months.

You may remember her as Kitty from Karamchand in the 80s, the unforgettable Mangala Dadi from Golmaal (2006), or countless other roles she’s brought to life with flair. That’s Sushmita Mukherjee for you. Last seen on TV in Meri Saas Bhoot Hai (2023), the seasoned actress is currently focusing on her first love — the stage and is busy with her solo play Naaribai. Sushmita portrays an impressive 26 characters, including three lead parts in the play.

She says, “Performing in this play has been an ego-crushing process, as I personally reached out to people to come watch it. This play has been very fulfilling, allowing me to explore different sides of myself as an artiste.”

Sushmita, who has been on a break from TV, shares, “In my 40-year journey in showbiz, I have played all sorts of roles, including those in the saas-bahu era of television. However, I feel that the language of the medium has become stressful and heavily market driven. But I plan to return to the small screen next year. After all, an actor without work is like a dog without a bone.”

Ask her whether she feels she hasn’t got her due in films compared to television and she replies, “People often tell me that, but I tune it out. If it were meant to be, I would have taken a specific path to achieve it.”

Sushmita holds fond yet bittersweet memories of her time as Kitty in Karamchand. She recalls, “It was a strange phase for Pankaj (Kapur) and me. We couldn’t afford rickshaws, and we were too recognizable to take the bus because of the show’s popularity (laughs!).”

After Karamchand, Sushmita chose not to work for an entire year, determined to avoid being typecast. She explains, “I kept receiving Kitty-like offers, but I didn’t want to repeat myself. Taking up those roles would have limited my career to five or seven years.”

While Kitty made her a household name, Sushmita confesses the constant association with the character felt like a burden for a long time. She says, “At that time, I was ungrateful and didn’t realize the value of that role. I wanted to be like Shabana Azmi because of my love for art cinema and playing a character like Kitty felt bizarre, especially with my NSD background.”

‘Neena Gupta has opened doors for senior actresses, proving that age is no barrier to meaningful roles’

Sushmita holds deep admiration for her National School of Drama (NSD) seniors, including Neena Gupta, applauding them for carving their own paths and creating meaningful opportunities for senior actresses. Sharing a personal connection, Sushmita recalls playing Neena’s mother-in-law in the play The Trojan Women (1983).

She says, “When Neena and her contemporaries entered the industry, opportunities for artistes like us were limited. She has challenged stereotypes and opened doors for senior actresses, proving that age is no barrier to meaningful roles.”

Masaba Gupta is about to take on her most stylish role yet – motherhood. As she awaits the arrival of her mini-me, the actress-designer dishes out on her pregnancy journey, her recent baby shower, and embracing the unknown. “I am equally excited and nervous. I am heading into something that's a little bit unpredictable and at the same time very exciting. But I am prepared for the unpredictable,” she tells us. Excerpts as followed...

Talking about her current headspace, Masaba shares, “I have absorbed the massive change that's going to come in my daily life. It took me about two-three months to absorb that. I've never felt more organized.”

The baby is expected next month in October. The 34-year-old admits her routine is “pretty similar to what it was before” she got pregnant. She starts her day with a prayer or a meditation, followed by workout or a yoga class.

“I am spending a lot more time with my mother (Neena Gupta, actress) and my husband (Satyadeep Misra). I'm spending a lot more time on my own, which is amazing. I'm suddenly in this mode of managing the cupboards and the furniture. I'm just preparing the space physically for what's to come," Masaba shares, adding, “I always wanted to be active during my pregnancy and so, asked my doctors to tell me what I can and cannot do."

Ask Masaba if she feels the pressure to be a perfect parent in the future and she replies, “Not at all. I don’t know what kind of parent I will be, but the one thing that I’m clear about is that I will not take advice from 20 people. I ask people to back off when they give me unsolicited advice because I don’t need it. Of course, there will be a support group of people from different walks of life who I look up to. I’m a big fan of how kids were raised in the past.”

She adds, “I intend to be a hands-on parent like my mother because she did a lot by herself. I will be perfect in some areas; I will be imperfect in some and I will be learning every day. Babies are super resilient. I don’t want to put any pressure even on my mother and ask her to be around the baby because she has her own life.”

Talking about her husband Satyadeep’s take on life, she says, “Sattu comes from another planet (laughs). He has a very different take on life. He was also raised differently because his parents are civil servants, and they travelled a lot. What we have in common is that we both believe that we have to learn how to wing it in the best and worst of circumstances.”

Masaba’s mother Neena Gupta is often seen as the quintessential modern mother. Ask her about the tips that she’s got from her mum and she replies, “We were just talking about it the other day that there is no photograph or documentation of her pregnancy at all on the internet. She had to hide her pregnancy. She was telling me how she (even) did a dance number in her eighth or ninth month. I asked her if she was nervous, as she had to hide the whole pregnancy. She said, ‘I didn’t have the money to give you protein. I didn't have the money to be on any diet or nutrition plan. But I was very happy to have a child.’ The only thing that she told me is that, ‘A child can be born and be raised very well and become anything that you imagine or aspire the child to be from a footpath and from a mansion’. So that’s my manual. She always reminds me that children are born on the footpath in this country and they turn out okay, so I should make the most of the resources I have got and not have this expectation that my child would turn out to be greater."

Masaba’s decision – unlike her mum’s - to be out in the public eye, rocking the bump, was not preplanned. “I don't think I planned too much. I was just so happy to be pregnant and so happy to be a healthy pregnant person. For the first time I was not at war with my body. I am somebody who cares deeply about how I look and how my fitness levels are. I was so happy to be putting on that weight, to be growing a healthy bump and to be looking fuller. I just wanted to be able to have every experience the way I have been having when I was not pregnant. I didn’t want to hide it from anybody. Women look good when they're pregnant. They look so wholesome. There is an inherent joy, and you have to celebrate that with the world,” she elaborates.

Masaba adds, "I was greatly inspired by Kareena (Kapoor Khan, actress) because she was just out and about. She was working, having dinner, having lunch and living like a normal pregnant woman would live. Even Alia (Bhatt, actress). She had to promote a film; she promoted a film. It was not a big deal. We make too much of a deal out of it. You should just celebrate pregnancy."

Recently, several media reports claimed that actor Jitendra Kumar, widely known as Sachiv Ji on the hit web series Panchayat, is paid a mere Rs. 70,000 per episode. To top that, reports claimed that his co-star, the remuneration of the much senior Neena Gupta, who played Manju Devi, was just Rs. 50,000.

But when we reached out to Kumar and Gupta, both refuted the information. Indicating that the reports couldn’t be further from the truth, trade analyst Taran Adarsh tells us that the earnings for popular OTT stars are “much higher” than the range rumoured for the Panchayat actors. A source suggests that Kumar was paid Rs. 1.5cr- Rs. 2cr for the show.

It is natural to wonder if OTT could be on par with theatrical films when it comes to fat paycheques for stars. “I won’t be able to comment about Jitendra’s remuneration, but stars who are popular on OTT, charge a massive amount, sometimes it can go up to crores,” says Adarsh, adding that a lot depends on producers’ willingness to invest in talent.

Trade analyst Atul Mohan concurs, “These are actors who are loved by the audiences. Seeing the scale [of their popularity], [their remuneration is ] almost at par with leading actors who appear in big-screen films.”

An industry insider shares that when a talent is locked for a series, the actor is signed on for the following seasons as well. “It is believed that in a standard contract, every actor is expected to get an average of 5% to 10% increase for the next season. This, however, is subject to show’s popularity,” adds the insider.

Building on the above point about how a show’s popularity and actors’ remuneration go hand-in-hand, Mohan notes that successful stars like Kumar, who are pivotal to shows like Panchayat, witness substantial increase in pay as their importance and impact grows across seasons.

“It’s different with every season, as and when popularity increases. Good actors, who have a strong following, can demand a hefty amount. Jitendra is the face of Panchayat. From the first season to the third one now, he has had the maximum impact,” Mohan explains.

A look at the repertoire of several female actors in Bollywood will make it seem that an industry once obsessed with fair-skinned women has taken strides to amend its ways. But, actor Sanvikaa, set to return with the third season of the comedy series, Panchayat, tells us the change is coming about at a pace that’s slower than we’d appreciate.

“The roles I get are similar to the ones I have played. Perhaps, that’s due to my dusky complexion. In the industry, if you are dusky, you are offered characters who belong to the middle-class or lower-middle-class background. This stereotyping existed earlier, and continued to exist even after the release of Panchayat,” says the actor, who plays Rinki, the daughter of the village pradhan in the Prime Video series.

She, however, adds that she is no longer perturbed by the practice. “I think I look beautiful the way I am. The audience connects with me. Their love has made me comfortable in my skin.”

The unassuming show, which released soon after the lockdown was imposed in 2020, quickly found favour among the audience. Its success led to the making of a subsequent season in 2022. Part three is up for release this week. Having collaborated with cast members Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav over the years, Sanvikaa says she has forged a bond that extends beyond professional boundaries. Working with Gupta has been of particular interest.

“If the director wants her to say a dialogue in a different way, she is able to swiftly switch her delivery to meet the requirement. I learned different ways to modulate and express the same dialogue from her.”

Last November, it was heard that Rakul Preet Singh and Neena Gupta were set to collaborate on a comedy, although details of the project were scarce at the time. Now, mid-day has found out that the film, tentatively titled Ameeri, is a sharp look at the rich-poor divide in society. The slice-of-life comedy sees Singh and Gupta play domestic help while Chunky Panday and Simone Singh portray an uber rich couple.

Ashish R Shukla, who previously directed the popular thriller series Undekhi (2020) and Richa Chadha-led Candy (2021), has helmed the Sunir Kheterpal production. We hear the project went on floors in Alibaug last November and was wrapped up in February.

A source reveals, “It’s a wild, fun movie that examines the glaring difference in the lifestyles of the rich and the poor. Simone and Chunky play a snooty, powerful married couple from the upper crust of society in a metropolis, while Rakul and Neena play their disgruntled, underpaid domestic help. After being continuously mistreated by their employers, the two decide to take matters into their own hands and change their situation. Hilarity ensues as the two classes clash against each other. Through its tongue-in-cheek humour and laughs, the movie notes how amid the constantly widening social divide, the elite turn a blind eye to the needs of the underprivileged.”

The film is said to be an adaptation of a 2009 Panamanian satire that struck a chord with Kheterpal, who felt that the theme would resonate with the Indian audience. The source adds, “Ameeri has everyday incidents that Indian viewers across different strata will relate to. While Neena ji and Chunky have always been known for their comic timing, Rakul and Simone have matched them spark for spark.”

Currently, the cast—also including Anant V Joshi, who was seen in Kathal and 12th Fail (2023) —are dubbing their portions, after which the team will release a teaser sometime in May. We hear the makers are planning a theatrical release in the second half of 2024.

New Delhi: Some of the most iconic actresses of the seventies and eighties are back in the spotlight - as faces of major brands.

Zeenat Aman, Neetu Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore and Neena Gupta have signed several endorsement deals in recent months and brands say the trend is not about the allure of nostalgia but to leverage how these actresses are reinventing themselves and breaking the stereotypes.

These associations help brands ride on their legacy and cut through clutter, industry executives said. Besides, these yesteryear stars charge only about one-fourth of the charges of A-listers such as Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt, they said.

"There is a noteworthy focus on age inclusivity now," said Darshana Bhalla, chief executive of talent management company D' Artist Talent Ventures. "While acknowledging the accomplishments of the youth is essential, it's equally crucial not to underestimate experience, credibility and maturity," she said.

Cosmetics and beauty company Forest Essentials, Oppo phones, and fintech platform Cred signed Zeenat Aman.

Neetu Kapoor has been roped in by Mankind Pharma's petcare brand and PepsiCo's Lay's chips, while Neena Gupta now endorses electric vehicle Eblu Feo and P Mark edible oil.

Sharmila Tagore's recent campaigns include ITC's Vivel soap and beauty line and Mamaearth shampoo where she is seen advising granddaughter Sara Ali Khan.

Most of these yesteryear icons have huge social media following.

Zeenat Aman made a successful Instagram debut in February last year, while Neetu Kapoor and Neena Gupta regularly post pictures and updates on social media platforms or interact with fans and paparazzi. Neena Gupta and Sharmila Tagore have also featured in OTT shows or talk shows. This helps brands they endorse deepen consumer connect, executives said.

The return of these legends as brand ambassadors is unlike the older men celebs like Amitabh Bachchan or Kapil Dev who have always been in public domain and hence have been seen in ads consistently, brand experts said.

"Traditionally, women actresses had a shorter shelf life," said brand strategy consultant Harish Bijoor. "All that is now getting elongated and many of them are back with a bang. Many of the legacy actresses are now digital stars of their own making, and personify contemporary retro, which is drawing in brands," he added.

Executives said the yesteryear names evoke nostalgia and grace, and are helping relevant brands connect better with consumers they are targeting.

"Our association with Aman brought her personality, gravitas and authenticity to the narrative," said Sanya Dawar, marketing and brand communications lead at Forest Essentials.

The beauty company's recent festive campaign with Zeenat Aman has been one of its "most engaged" social media campaigns, she said.

Aman's campaign for Cred in August got over 1.4 million views in a day, according to the company.

Rajeev Juneja, vice chairman of Mankind Pharma, while announcing that Neetu Kapoor and her son Ranbir Kapoor would endorse the company's petcare brand PetStar, had said, "We believe their association will not only elevate the brand's visibility but also resonate with pet lovers."

According to Umesh Verma, general manager, marketing and communications, at Puri Oil Mills, which roped in Gupta along with Boman Irani for P Mark edible oils, the choice of Gupta was a well-thought-out strategic decision based on multiple parameters. "Neena Gupta suited the script, and her recent roles in many popular OTT series have increased her fan following among young generation viewers who constitute an important customer segment for the brand," he said.

The visibility, social media presence, and public engagements that the actresses have themselves worked upon are a big change from even a year or two back when they were rarely seen in public domain, experts said. Previously, the yesteryear actresses such as Rekha, Hema Malini and Dimple Kapadia would be seen endorsing only one-off brands.

"Instagram has been my playground for the past year or so... It is simply extraordinary to me that I can connect with quite literally hundreds of thousands of you through this page," Aman, who now has 665k followers on Instagram, wrote on her page recently.

Executives at talent companies say fees of the seventies' stars, currently about 20-30% of what a Priyanka Chopra or a Deepika Padukone charge, could well go up at least by another 20-30% in the years to come, if brands see higher returns on investment. Padukone is known to charge about Rs 5 crores per endorsement, they said.

Neena Gupta began her journey in the world of entertainment at Prithvi Theatre. During a Stage Talk session held at the Prithvi Festival, which concluded recently, she reminisced, “We (the NSD gang) would often hang around here hoping producers and directors watching the plays might spot us and offer work. During that time, I met Prahlad Kakar (ad guru), who used to manage the café here. He offered me some work in his ad films and let me work in the café. This is where I learnt to make Irish Coffee, one of the most popular items on the menu. On one occasion, I prepared baingan ka bharta in the kitchen and Prahlad enjoyed it so much that he requested me to make it daily and in return, I received complimentary dinners.”

Sharing that her parents opposed her joining films, Neena said, “My mother looked down upon Hindi films and preferred only English cinema. However, once I saw myself on the big screen in ‘Aadharshila’ (1982), I thought, ‘Mujhe yahi karna hai.’ Ussi samay main tabaah ho gayi (smiles).”

Originally, she planned to stick to theatre. She recalled, “In college, I was mostly cast in male roles and as male house helps in plays because I was taller than the other girls. I was too shy to ask the director for the main part. I would rehearse the lines of the heroine at home and felt that I performed better than the heroines. My first ever significant act in a play was ‘Aadhe Adhoore’.”

Talking about her experience on stage, she said, “Theatre is truly magical, and there’s no comparison. As an actor, when you are on stage, nobody can touch your performance. In films, they have the power to touch your work, edit scenes, or even remove your part entirely. However, when I am on stage, I am the king. Facing a live audience is an incredibly exhilarating experience. I used to be extremely nervous during my initial shows at Prithvi because it felt like the audience is right on your lap, but that’s the ultimate test of an actor.”

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for her. At one point she found herself being typecast as the comic relief side-character. After ‘Saath Saath’ (1982) became a hit, in which she played a small part of a naïve girl, she recalled Girish Karnad telling her, “You’re finished, and you will never get a heroine’s part again.”

She said, “Unfortunately, that’s exactly what transpired, and all I got offered for the next two years were similar roles.” The turning point in her career was ‘Badhaai Ho’ (2018). All praise for director Amit Sharma, she said, “I loved the script, but the thought of wearing a stomach pad throughout the film and not looking glamorous did not sit well with me at first. But Amit Sharma brought out the best in me. He made me give 20-25 takes even for a simple line like ‘Jaldi Chalo’. Ek toh confidence shake hota hai. Amit would enact the scene so brilliantly ki abhi tak ek line hai jo main uske jaise nahi kar paati hoon and I am reminded of it every month. Similarly, I still can’t do what Naseer (Naseeruddin Shah) does. The reason for it is we are not focused and relaxed.”

Talking about how the changing landscape of cinema has enabled actresses to explore and experiment with characters, Neena shared, “I wish I were younger, as there are far more opportunities now for the new era of actors. I aspire to do comedy and romance. I want to write a romantic story for myself. I want to do a full-blown action film. In fact, I am eager to take on an action film offered to me where I have a double role, but I have yet to hear back from them.”

However, she also agrees that today she is content with her current filmography. “Today, I can afford to turn down projects. In the past, I had to say yes to everything. I remember feeling liberated the first time I declined a project (laughs!). Today, If I have to think twice about taking on a role, I won’t take it up. It’s as simple as that,” she signed off.

“I’ve manifested this,” smiles Priyanshu Painyuli, who has realised his dream of working with Vishal Bhardwaj, thanks to Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley. Four years ago, he was set to lead Bhardwaj’s Midnight’s Children, but the project was shelved. The actor, however, was optimistic that some day, he will get the chance to collaborate with the filmmaker. And his belief has paid off.

Being on a Bhardwaj set, Painyuli says, felt like an exciting match as the duo built his journalist character Sitaram Bisht. “Vishal sir ropes you in with the confidence that you know your craft; he wants to see what you bring to the table. Every day was like playing a new match with him, as I improvised the scenes, and he had fun seeing that. My approach to acting has changed after working with him.” 

The actor has a newfound admiration for the auteur’s keen eye for details. “[He taught me how small things like] keeping a glass on the table after sipping water can also be dramatic.”

When Lust Stories dropped on Netflix in 2018, India hadn’t witnessed too many homegrown anthologies. But creator Ashi Dua was willing to bet on the format, having previously tasted success with Bombay Talkies (2013). Five years and an International Emmy nomination later, Dua is ready with Lust Stories 2, which brings together directors Sujoy Ghosh, Konkona Sen Sharma, R Balki and Amit R Sharma.

“Casting [the right] directors is key to an anthology, and getting everyone together is hard. Thematically, we were in sync, but the brief was to experiment. Sujoy took the idea of lust and made a thriller. Amit went to Rajasthan and made a story about a family. Balki did a wacky story. Getting Konkona was the toughest. She had not directed anything after A Death In The Gunj [2017]. When I went to her, she came up with a cool story,” smiles Dua.

For the creator, having a woman director on board was non-negotiable as it would bring the female gaze to one of the stories.

“I was clear we needed at least one female filmmaker, if not two. To see things from female writers’ and directors’ perspective was important to elevate the idea. Another important facet is to have directors who tell stories sensitively. We don’t need to show sex to reflect lust. We didn’t want to titillate, and that’s a value we have stood by.”

The upcoming anthology stars Kajol, Neena Gupta, Vijay Varma, Tamannaah Bhatia, Mrunal Thakur and Tillotama Shome, among others. What’s interesting is that all four segments are led by women. Dua says it happened organically. “When we finished the shorts, we realized that all protagonists were female and not by design. The male actors have great roles, but each film is led by a woman.”

Actor Anupam Kher sustained injuries on the set of his upcoming film, Vijay 69. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Kher shared a picture of himself with an arm sling and wrote, “Aap sports film karo aur aap ghaayal na ho!! Aisa kaise ho sakata hai? Kal #vijay69 ki shooting ke dauran kandhe mein achi khaasi choth lagi (sic).”

He jokingly added, “Dard to hai par jab kandhe par sling lagaane vaale bhaiya ne bataaya ki unhone hi @iamsrk aur @hrithikroshan ke kandhon ko is sling se sajaaya tha to pata nahin kyon dard ka ehasaas thoda kam ho gaya (sic).”

Kher added that he would rest it out for a couple of days to let the pain subside: “Ek do dinon baad shooting jaari rahegi.”

The 68-year-old said his mother, Dulari, claimed that he fell prey to the evil eye: “Waese maa ne suna to boli, ‘Aur dikha apni body duniya ko!! Tujhe nazar lag gayi!’ Maine jawaab diya, ‘Maa! Girte hai shahasvaar hi maidaan e jang mein. Vo tiphal kya girega jo ghutno ke bal chale!’ Maa jhaapad maarte maarte rukh gayi (sic).”

Reacting to the picture, actor Neena Gupta asked, “Oh what have you done?” To which, Kher replied, “That’s what happens to great artists like you and me! Mild injuries (sic).”

Tales of love never get old, and Anurag Basu is set to depict four unique ones in his next venture. His upcoming relationship drama remains untitled as of now, and will feature an ensemble cast.

Basu tells mid-day, “We haven’t decided the full cast of the project yet, and are yet to arrive on a title, but, we plan to start shooting in January.”

With the premise seeming all too familiar to Basu’s 2007 film, Life In A Metro, we ask him if this offering is a sequel to the drama. He responds in the negative.

While Basu refuses to confirm the news, sources suggest that Neena Gupta and Ali Fazal are on board this new venture, which will depict four stories. Meanwhile, Basu has Aashiqui 3 with Kartik Aaryan in the pipeline.

Most actors will tell you that working with Sooraj Barjatya ranks high on their wish-list. Neena Gupta is no exception. Four decades and countless films later, the senior actor has manifested her long-standing wish. To her, Uunchai is a personal milestone rather than a professional one. “When Sooraj narrated the script, I probably wasn’t even listening because I was so honoured that he had a role for me. I couldn’t believe it was happening,” beams Gupta.

She joins Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Danny Denzongpa, Sarika and Parineeti Chopra in the drama that is centred on three sexagenarians who trek to the Himalayas to fulfil their friend’s dying wish. Gupta believes that through the movie, Barjatya beautifully depicts that friendship is among the most unconditional forms of love.

“Long ago, a friend had told me, ‘Dosti budhape ka khazana hota hai.’ As you get older, kids grow up and move on, and you tend to feel lonely. It’s always your friends who come to your side at this stage. Today, I cherish my friendships.”

In the November 11 offering, the actor plays Shabina, a devoted homemaker whose life revolves around her family. Asked whether she identifies with the character, she notes that every person — in real-life or on reel — is the product of circumstances. “People should read my book to know who I am. [People] tell me, ‘You live by your own rules’, but I have not always done what I wanted to do. Everybody has to succumb to the circumstances. That said, I have made the most of what [came my way].”

Having a Sooraj Barjatya film is a matter of pride for an actor. Anyone who has worked with Barjatya will tell you that the soft-spoken director is a man of few words, keeping his praise and critique to the bare minimum. This often left the cast of Uunchai—comprising Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Parineeti Chopra, Neena Gupta, Sarika and Nafisa Ali—in a quandary, as they wouldn’t understand whether the director was happy with their shot or not. However, as filming progressed, the actors realised that he had a unique, and almost involuntary, way of expressing his appreciation.

A source reveals, “During shoots, Sooraj is quiet and almost poker-faced, and does not react at all. Since many of these actors were collaborating with him for the first time, they used to look to him for feedback on their shots. But soon, they realised he has a habit of doing a small jump whenever a shot has turned out perfectly.” The source adds that on the last day of filming, Bachchan, Kher and Irani mimicked Barjatya’s jump to show him how much they enjoyed collaborating with him. At a recent promotional event, the senior actors repeated the act, leaving the filmmaker in splits.

Reflecting on his first association with Barjatya, Bachchan shares that it was a delight to discover his quirky way of appreciation. “When Sooraj is happy with the shot, he smiles and does this little, involuntary jump. Then, we all know we have done well,” beams the megastar. Irani adds that the director has a distinct way of expressing his dislike as well. “When Sooraj is not happy, he lets out this little sound, and says, ‘It was a nice shot, but the camera was out. So let us take another shot.’”

For Barjatya, Uunchai—which revolves around three senior friends who trek to the Himalayas to fulfil their deceased friend’s last wish—is a special project. The director says that teaming up with the veteran actors has enriched him. “Amit ji teaches us discipline and to shoot at one go. Anupam ji is someone I go to when I need advice. He can connect with the technicians, crew and everyone. Boman ji’s sense of humour puts everyone at ease. Neena ji and Sarika ji are wonderful artistes. Working with them was a learning experience.”

With a career spanning over four decades, actor Sushmita Mukherjee believes in going with the flow and adapting to the times.

“There are just two ways — you either rue and retire or keep moving with the new world order. Today, we are blessed to have so many opportunities,” says Mukherjee, who enjoys working in theatre, television, films or OTT.

With changing times, there is an abundance of opportunities for artistes of all ages. The Batti Gul Meter Chalu (2019) actor is glad to see strong roles being written for senior actors in mainstream cinema. “Just look at Neena’s (Gupta, actor) role in Badhaai Ho (2018). I’m so happy for her. It has benefited us all. Good roles are being scripted for senior actors, too.”

While the veteran actor has worked on several TV shows, she wishes to take a break from the medium to explore other platforms. “I am an artiste and my job is to express to my best capability. Like a river creates its own path, work too finds its way irrespective of the medium. [But] I have done quite a few daily soaps. Now, I am trying other mediums as well,” says the Karamchand actor.

In fact, Mukherjee has already done web shows such as Mind The Malhotras and shot for Laxman Utekar’s untitled film, in which she plays actor Sara Ali Khan’s mum. She has also explored writing: “My fourth book, Khajuraho Conundrum, will hit the stands in October.”