Showing posts with label Neha Dhupia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neha Dhupia. Show all posts
Sonakshi Sinha recalls being scared to tell Shatrughan Sinha she wanted to marry Zaheer Iqbal
9:43 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 16, 2026)
In the two years since Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal got married, the couple has given us glimpses into their lives — from their intimate wedding to their vacations and their funny reels. But this time around, Sonakshi has revealed what went down before that. Appearing on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s chat show Double Date, the actor opened up about one of the most emotional moments of her life when she told her father, veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, that she wanted to marry Iqbal.
Sonakshi recalled that despite being certain about her relationship with Iqbal, she was terrified of breaking the news to her father.
She recounted, “I was really scared to tell my dad. One day, I went to him and said, ‘I love this guy and want to marry him’. He asked me his name and what he does for a living. Then he suddenly said, ‘Haan, maine dekha tha newspaper mein’. I was surprised and asked him whether my mom (Poonam Sinha) hadn’t told him. I had told my mom two years earlier that I was dating Zaheer, and had asked her to tell my dad. But it took me two years to tell him myself.”
She further shared that after her parents spent time with the couple and witnessed their bond, their apprehensions disappeared. Sonakshi added, “My heart broke a little when dad told me, ‘Why did you wait so long? Mujhe bataya kyun nahin?’”
Neha Dhupia on 52 Blue: "It took a filmmaker from Egypt to see me like this"
9:08 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 13, 2026)
A day after the London premiere of 52 Blue, Neha Dhupia is still processing what she experienced. The actor, who stars in Egyptian filmmaker Ali El Arabi's international feature, says the biggest change isn't what the film might do for her career, but how it has changed the way she sees herself. "I would've accepted everyone's congratulations until yesterday," she says with a laugh.
"But the difference between speaking to you yesterday and today is that I've now seen the film. I'm genuinely proud because it's one of those films that adds something to your body of work. Every film has its own fate, I don't know where this one will go, but there's a dialogue my character Lakshmi says: 'Everything you do and everyone you meet is pushing you in a direction you're meant to be in.' That's exactly how I feel about this film."
What drew her to 52 Blue wasn't the prospect of an international project, but the opportunity to play someone she hadn't been allowed to play for years. "When they first called and told me about this woman from Kerala who's carrying so much emotional weight and eventually ends up living on an island, I was convinced I wasn't going to get the part. You fight for roles like these at the beginning of your career, and then somewhere along the way you stop expecting them."
The irony, she admits, isn't lost on her. "It took a filmmaker from Egypt to notice that he could see me like this. At one point, even I had forgotten that I could see myself like this. You start believing you have range, but then you slowly surrender to the box people put you in. I had opened one side of that box through films like Mithya and A Thursday, but after a point the rules become the same. That's why it's so special when somebody else's belief in you helps you rediscover yourself."
Her first meeting with Ali El Arabi happened over Zoom, but the director's instinctive reading of her stayed with her long after. "He told me, 'When I look at you, I feel like you've been through a lot. Your eyes tell me you're strong, but somewhere you haven't given up'. That's not something people usually tell you the first time they meet you. He also felt becoming a mother had given me something this character needed. Honestly, if this film had come to me before I had children, I don't think I would've been able to play Lakshmi the same way."
Years ago, Dhupia says, she actively chased the idea of crossing over into international cinema. "When I was younger, I really craved that crossover. Now, if this film opens doors internationally, wonderful. But even if it simply leads to more interesting work here, I'll be equally happy."
The biggest validation, she says, came immediately after the London screening. "Prakash Jha was in the audience yesterday. After the film, he came up to me, patted me on the back and said something that stayed with me. Sometimes all you need is for filmmakers to suddenly notice something in you that they hadn't seen before. Even that is enough."
Watching herself on a giant screen also became an exercise in confronting vulnerability. "This film made me braver than I've ever been. There's no makeup, no vanity, nothing to hide behind. You're completely exposed. I didn't think I was brave enough to do something like this. If I can be this raw and still feel proud of what I've done, then I know I can do so much more. I've always wanted to do a sports biopic because I've always been athletic. Maybe I'm older now, but then again, not every sports story is about an athlete at their peak. Some of the most interesting stories happen afterwards."
Despite working across films, television, OTT and podcasts over two decades, Dhupia admits she still feels her versatility hasn't translated into the kind of opportunities she craves.
"I don't value my versatility enough myself," she says candidly. "Maybe after conversations like this I'll feel good for twenty minutes. Then someone will call to negotiate a fee and I'll go back to being an earnest worker who's grateful to have work. I've been in this industry for over two decades. I'm grateful that people know who I am wherever I go. But I genuinely wish my body of work was much wider than it already is. Sometimes I see a filmmaker's work and think, 'I'd love to do something like that.' Then later I hear they never even thought of me. That's the part that still hurts."
Neha Dhupia says casting director’s remark affected her for years
8:59 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 30, 2026)
Actor Neha Dhupia has opened up about the impact of harsh beauty standards in the entertainment industry, recalling how a casting director’s comment about her smile affected her confidence for nearly a decade.
Speaking on her show Double Date, which she hosts with husband and actor Angad Bedi, Neha shared the experience during a conversation with actors Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem.
Recalling an incident from the beginning of her career, Neha said, “Jab main ekdum nayi thi industry mein, I was going for an audition for a TV show. I was sitting in a casting director’s car and he looked at me and I smiled. He said, ‘You don’t smile. You look bad when you smile. You have more power on your face when you don’t smile.’”
The 45-year-old said the remark stayed with her for years. “After that I even won Miss India but you see my photos, I am not smiling. It affected me for 8-10 years before I recovered,” she said.
The actor, who won the Femina Miss India 2002 title and represented India at the Miss Universe 2002 pageant, also revealed that losing Miss Universe had impacted her confidence and that she took nearly eight to 10 months to recover emotionally.
During the conversation, Huma also spoke about dealing with social media trolling after her second film, Gangs Of Wasseypur - Part 2 (2012). She said the criticism pushed her into a shell and eventually led her to seek therapy and begin journalling.
I told Novak Djokovic, ‘I’m not giving you a choice, you have to click a photograph’-Neha Dhupia
2:22 PM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; February 17, 2026)
Known for their love for sports, Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi were in for a treat in Melbourne, where they witnessed the clash between tennis greats Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. After the thrilling final, Neha met Djokovic.
An ecstatic Neha says, “I have been a die-hard Djokovic fan. I was screaming his name the whole time and rooting for him. We usually watch these games on TV, but watching the final live is a completely different experience. Even when the house was divided, it was united in its love for tennis. Both players had incredible support — people took sides but truly honoured the game and each player’s contribution. There was pin-drop silence during the match; you could actually hear the ball bouncing. I wasn’t sure if Djokovic would make it to the finals, but he did, and I got to witness it.”
Recalling her encounter with the tennis champ, Neha shares, “We were a group of 20 walking towards the centre court at Rod Laver Arena after the match when Djokovic happened to be walking out. For the first few seconds, I was speechless. I wasn’t sure whether to approach him. He had played exceptionally well but hadn’t won the trophy and looked exhausted. But I finally told him, ‘I’m not giving you a choice, you have to click a photograph,’ and he was so gracious. I told him we were from India and that this was a bucket-list moment for me. I was overwhelmed and thrilled.”
She adds, “This experience was extra special because I’m an avid tennis watcher and my entire family follows sports. My dad was thrilled that I got to witness this. Swedish legend Stefan Edberg was seated right behind us, while Rafael Nadal was in the front. It was surreal. I’m honestly falling short of words to describe how I felt... like a bumbling teenager. That definitely checked off a major item on my bucket list.”
Once an elderly lady filmed me sleeping on a flight. I was frightened when I woke up-Neha Dhupia
2:13 PM
Harsh Kashiv (BOMBAY TIMES; December 23, 2025)
It’s not easy balancing career with motherhood, but Neha Dhupia is managing it well. The actress, who is a mother of two, shares, “It’s a sea change once you have children. If you think you’re going to find your balance after becoming a mother of two toddlers, you’re living in a mythical world. My parents are at home looking after my children while I’m out working. Working mums get judged all the time — I’ve had people ask me questions at events. You are subjected to these jabs constantly. If you’re with your kids for two hours, give it 100 per cent. If you’re at work for eight hours, give it 100 per cent.”
‘DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO ADDRESS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION’
Talking about what inspires her to work for women’s empowerment through initiatives like Freedom to Feed, Neha says, “When we had our first child, I slipped into postpartum depression, and I didn’t even know how to address it. I wish there was a simple form for new mums asking about their mental health. Therefore, I started this community. Today, we have thousands of mothers with us. We get experts to talk about their life stories and mums can learn from them.”
‘I have utmost respect for paps in Mumbai’
On another note, addressing the invasiveness of pap culture, Neha shares a disturbing incident. “Once an elderly lady filmed me sleeping on a flight. I was frightened when I woke up. People should have boundaries,” she says.
However, she’s candid about the relationship between actors and visibility and adds, “We also want to put ourselves out there, right? Being there, being visible, it’s a big part of what we do. When did we suddenly become camera-shy? This is what we do — we love the camera. How’s the camera ever going to love us back? That’s our medium to the world.”
She adds, “I have utmost respect for paps in Mumbai. When our children are there, they ask if I want them clicked. You’ll never see any pap photos of my kids because they respect my children. If there’s misrepresentation or AI involved in projecting me in the wrong way, I will speak up.”
Mental health and AQI are the only two things mothers talk about-Neha Dhupia
10:00 AM
Stating that the theme of healthy parenting in ‘Perfect Family’ appealed to her, Neha Dhupia discusses doing away with gender roles at home to teach her kids
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; November 28, 2025)
Perfect Family appealed to the mother in Neha Dhupia before it did to the actor in her. She plays a therapist in the Gulshan Devaiah and Girija Oak-led series about a family that seeks therapy after the youngest member, a child, suffers anxiety.
“It wasn’t like I wanted to play a therapist. But when I started reading the script, I couldn’t put it down,” says Dhupia.
The series’ theme of parenting and mental health resonated with the actor, who is a mother to two kids, Mehr and Guriq. “When you have kids, you think everything you are doing is for them. So, you believe you can’t ever go wrong. But what is actually happening to the child? That’s such a huge conversation today. Mental health and AQI are the only two things mothers talk about.”
If on screen, she helps a family learn healthier ways to communicate, off it, husband Angad Bedi and she have their own ground rules to build a healthy home for their kids. Gender roles, she says, is the first norm they’re teaching their kids to challenge.
“We don’t look at anything as a girl or guy’s job. Recently, at home, my daughter asked me, ‘Mumma, what are you doing now?’ When I replied that I’m sitting with her, she asked, ‘You’re not going to work?’ So, it’s not tuned in her mind that I will sit at home and Papa will go to work. For meals, I lay the table and Angad picks the plates up. It’s the little things [that matter].”
Neha Dhupia opens up on getting pregnant before marriage: "I’m on the same list as Alia Bhatt or Neena Gupta"
10:34 PM
Neha Dhupia on embracing motherhood before marriage and how public scrutiny inspired her to launch her podcast, ‘Freedom to Feed’
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 24, 2025)
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.”
Anil Kapoor, Vijay Varma to star in Hansal Mehta's business drama, shoot to begin in Sri Lanka
9:44 AM
Sources say Hansal Mehta to roll his next, a business drama, in Sri Lanka this month; Anil Kapoor and Vijay Varma play rivals in the series about power and betrayal
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 4, 2025)
What’s Hansal Mehta’s next after Gandhi, said to be his most ambitious work to date? Murmurs over the past few months suggested that in a departure from his penchant for real-life stories, the filmmaker was set to explore a business drama (New show on the cards, Feb 21). Now, mid-day has learnt that Mehta is ready to take the web series on floors in Sri Lanka this month. The Netflix offering, starring Anil Kapoor and Vijay Varma, tells the story of power, money, and morals through two business rivals whose ugly clash sends shockwaves in the financial world.
Last month, Mehta apparently headed to Sri Lanka for a recce for the big-budget drama that is produced by Vikram Malhotra.
A source reveals, “Hansal and Vikram are keeping everything under wraps. With Anil and Vijay playing high-flying business magnates, the series will be shot across Mumbai, Sri Lanka, Serbia, and Georgia. The series — written by Niren Bhatt, Ankur Pathak, and Nikhil Nair — is an incisive look at the cut-throat nature of today’s financial world, where money, manipulation, and greed are part of the game. Anil and Vijay’s characters, though ruthless in their individual pursuit of power and wealth, are shown to have contrasting ideologies and work ethics. That sets the stage for a showdown, and the story follows how they take on each other. If things go as planned, it will be shot in a straight schedule from June to September.”
Joining the male leads in the drama are Neha Dhupia and Raima Sen. “Hansal is bringing together an eclectic ensemble cast. Neha and Raima portray strong women who wield power in their own way and exert influence in the big boys’ club,” adds the source.
From Shahid (2012) to Aligarh (2015), from Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020) to Scoop (2023), Mehta has created an enviable filmography based on true stories. However, the source says that this time, the creator-director has built a fictional world, one set in a field rarely seen on Indian screens.
“While the West has had sterling business dramas, Indian OTT entertainment hasn’t quite explored the genre. Hansal and Vikram wanted to tap into the genre by weaving a tale of ambition and betrayal.”
mid-day reached out to Malhotra and Mehta. Both remained unavailable for comment.
Neha Dhupia joins Kunal Kemmu in Shashank Khaitan’s Single Papa
11:08 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 25, 2025)
In January, reports emerged that filmmaker Shashank Khaitan — currently wrapping up the Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor-starrer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari — would make his OTT debut with Single Papa. Following Kunal Kemmu’s casting, sources now reveal that Neha Dhupia has joined the family entertainer, in a pivotal role.
A source close to the production reveals that the series is currently underway. “The show is in its final phase of shooting. Neha Dhupia has joined [the cast] to play one of the key leading parts in the show. The makers are [trying to] build a strong ensemble, bringing in actors with sharp comic timing. Neha brings both warmth and sharp wit to the table — qualities that perfectly complement Kunal’s energy,” shares the source.
The insider added that the dynamic between their characters forms the emotional and comic core of the show. “Shashank was clear he wanted an actor who could hold her own opposite Kunal. Their pairing brings a fresh spark to the screens,” expressed the source, adding that the slice-of-life entertainer will “most likely stream on Netflix.”
Neha Dhupia says Bollywood colleagues did not support marathon to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene
8:23 AM
Neha Dhupia, who is organizing a marathon to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene, rues that Bollywood colleagues didn’t support the initiative despite her requests
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; November 14, 2024)
It was an encounter during one of her morning runs that led Neha Dhupia to organise a marathon to spread awareness about menstrual hygiene. The actor recounts, “I saw a senior coach scolding a boy, saying, ‘Why are you running like a girl?’ I found that offensive and questioned the coach, asking him, ‘Sir, what do you mean by that? Girls are outrunning everyone.’ It bothered me that even today, we talk like this. Anita Lobo, who is also a runner, saw this and asked me if I’d be interested in initiating a marathon.”
Set to take place on December 8 at MMRDA Grounds, GoFloRun aims to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and women’s health. “In cities, we’re talking about tampons, menstrual cups, etc. But in rural places, girls have to drop out of school after the onset of their periods. That’s the disparity we are staring at,” she exclaims.
Besides putting her might behind the cause, Dhupia requested her colleagues in Bollywood to lend their support. But she was left disappointed. “I reached out to many people and told them to do a photo-op. But all of them turned down, saying they were busy. Otherwise people are free. But when it comes to helping, no one does it,” she rues, adding, “I get when artistes choose to be silent over certain matters on which their opinion can cause hurt. But for these causes, it’s good to use our voice.”
Dhupia, who is currently shooting Roadies 20, says that even at work, she ensures that her surroundings are gender-sensitized. She notes, “Our sets have become much better when it comes to access to hygiene for women. I’m doing a show where we’re on the road, and we all are sensitive about the hygiene and comfort of all the women working with us.”
Forget comparing with others, I’ve stopped comparing myself with how I was a few years ago-Neha Dhupia
8:32 AM
Breaking her own 100-metre sprint records and losing 23 kilos in the process, Neha chronicles guiding principles that helped her tackle post-partum weight gain
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; July 17, 2024)
Neha Dhupia hops on a call with us at the end of a rather busy day. It began with a flight that took her to Delhi for a professional commitment and concluded with an interaction with a friend later that evening. She tells us that she heads on a road trip the next morning and will be “driving to Chandigarh for work”.
“I’m going to get up at 7 am, check on my kids, and hit the gym. If the gym’s not good enough, I’ll do a quick five-kilometre run, and then go about my day. It’s not about ‘getting the workout out of the way’. It’s about knowing that you’ve started your day by looking after yourself. That’s a really big thing,” says the actor.
Dhupia has advocated for physical well-being for several years, but the last one has been particularly instrumental in enabling her to shed 23 kilos. Unlike her contemporaries, who’ve sprinted to shed their post-partum weight, her return to her pre-delivery athletic levels has been synonymous with a slow and steady marathon.
“Forget comparing myself with others, I’ve stopped comparing myself with how I was a few years ago,” she says when we ask her the recipe for success.
“Since I’ve been training with intention, my fitness levels have improved by a notch or two. The more I push, the more I can push.” She speaks elatedly about achieving fitness milestones, including “clocking my personal best on 100-metre sprints after giving birth to two children”.
“[This has been possible] because I have been [appreciative] of how my body feels. There are days when you feel powerful and able enough to conquer the world. And then there may be days when you feel exhausted. You must have a conversation with your body each day because a fitness routine has to be part of your life.”
Tough love
It’s perhaps apt to caution that Dhupia’s tendency to alter her training based on how she feels is in no way lackadaisical. “If I say that I perform 10 bouts of 100-metre sprints, which amounts to one kilometre, people may [find that to be insufficient]. But, to complete that kilometre, I will do a 30-minute warm-up session, a 40-minute session of core-strengthening exercises, and a stretching leg that goes on for 20 minutes. Also, when my trainer asks me to sprint, I give it my all, and that makes the process worth it. For the next two days, I will rest, and may spend the following two weeks simply running seven kilometres each day. People ask me how I manage to run in the rain. The truth is, I wait for the downpour so that I can put on my hoodie and run. You have to be mindful of how your own body reacts to weather conditions. I practice running, strength training, and yoga, and clock in three sessions of each format in a week, thereby executing nine exercise bouts. And as a mother of two, if I can make time to train this much, I give myself a pat on the back.”
And while her social life has taken a back seat (“I don’t fear leaving a party at 10 pm because I need to go back to my kids,” she says), she enjoys indulging in fitness sessions with her friends. “Perhaps that’s why I get along well with Soha [Ali Khan]. We like to hang out over a yoga session. I can [brew] a cup of tea and have a long conversation with friends while consuming it, so that I don’t add extra calories to my diet while [meeting social obligations]. There are compromises to be made. I tell my friends I love them very much, but I love myself more.”
Training with intention
Having transitioned from “marking her attendance” at the gym, where her regimen would be interrupted with social conversations, Dhupia now exercises in isolation. “I set goals daily and push myself more. If my yoga teacher says, ‘Let’s do 15 suryanamaskars’, I’ll say, no, sir, let’s do 25. And I want to do each one with intention. If I am to head for a run, and my trainer doesn’t show up, I would previously simply finish running six kilometres and say, I’m done. But, now I want to do better even if my trainer is not around. I have a stronger connection with my body now than ever before.”
It’s been a journey that she has navigated after being left “heartbroken” when she first stepped on the track after a delivery. “I have previously done six to eight half marathons. But, post-delivery, I had gained a lot of weight. I had never lived in a body of that size. While attempting a run, my legs wouldn’t move [as freely] as they did, and my knees would crumble. I have worked on myself a lot since then, and can see the change in my form. The hardest part isn’t running fast or deciding what time you must train. The hardest part is to simply show up. I want to tell those who are struggling that things get better over time, and when the kids grow up. As soon as my children started having a routine, I started having one too. Before my kids wake up, I finish my first yoga session. I head to bed at the same time as they do. I need to emphasise that [mothers] need eight hours of sleep. If you are well rested, you can train better.”
Having a partner who shares her goals serves as an advantage. “When we are on vacation, Angad [Bedi, husband] and I wake up early and hit the gym before our kids can even reach the breakfast table. It’s great to have somebody who is as enthusiastic as you are. Like me, he also doesn’t consume gluten or sugar. So, we don’t need to sit with a drink to have conversations in the evenings. We simply have different kinds of tea instead.”
A different story for each one
She encourages mothers to give themselves the time that they need to return to routine. “For some, it may be two years after delivery, for others, it may be four. But once you think you are ready, get up and show up each day. You won’t see results every day; there will be days when you will indulge in emotional eating or skip a session, but don’t let that dictate your actions thereafter. If you’ve only lost one kilo, and feel like that is a drop in the ocean, remember that you are still one kilo closer to your desired goal. Don’t give up. I was a beauty pageant winner; and I know the pressure [I had to live with]. Don’t let opinions weigh you down.”
In an industry where semaglutides are speculatively widely consumed, she says she would “never put it in my body”. She may be “open to having a conversation” around the risks and benefits associated with its use, but “for me, it’s a big no-no”. “I know that it’s been medically [tested] for people who suffer from diabetes, and hope that it is consumed by those who have sought appropriate guidance in the right proportions. It is going to become something that everyone is going to talk about. But, it’s not for me.”
Neha Dhupia sheds 23 kgs, says ‘noticed an increase in offers’
3:40 PM
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 3, 2024)
Actor and mother of two, Neha Dhupia, is making headlines for her significant weight loss — shedding 23 kilos in one year. The actor reveals that her weight-loss transformation has not only impacted her physical well-being but also rejuvenated her career.
“I feel so much better, especially in a profession where physical appearance matters a great deal. But, I have always embraced who I am,” she reflects. Despite the push for inclusivity, there’s still a preference for fit actors. “Professionally, I’ve noticed an increase in offers, and I feel and look better in my clothes,” Dhupia says.
The 43-year-old reveals that each of her pregnancies led to a substantial weight gain — around 23–25 kgs — well above the typical 17 kgs mark.
“After Mehr (her daughter, born in 2018), we went into lockdown. I eventually lost the weight as we were at home, and I could work on a deficit (diet). I lost that weight, but then I got pregnant again [this time with my son Guriq, born in 2021],” she explains. “It was a crazy span of four years, where I lost and put on weight time and again.”
Dhupia shares that her weight-loss journey didn’t start immediately after delivery: “I breastfed both my children for a year, which kept my appetite high and energy levels low. It wasn’t until a year ago that I really committed to exercise and a proper diet, shedding a total of 23 kgs since then.”
Discussing her regimen, she explains, “I enjoy running and occasionally hit the gym. I’ve cut out sugar, fried foods and gluten.”
When I first heard Chandu Champion, I couldn’t believe it was a true story-Kartik Aaryan
11:12 PM
Kartik discusses how he transformed physically to depict different stages of Petkar’s life in Chandu Champion
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 12, 2024)
For the final episode of her chat show No Filter Neha, host Neha Dhupia was joined by Kartik Aaryan as a guest. The two talked about all things Chandu Champion. Kabir Khan’s directorial venture is based on Murlikant Petkar, who sustained grave injuries in the 1965 India-Pakistan War and rose against the odds to become India’s first Paralympic gold medalist. The actor revealed that he was in a state of disbelief when the project came his way.
“Chandu Champion is one of the toughest films that I have done because it has so many elements. Murlikant Petkar ji’s journey is unlike any other. When I first heard the film, I couldn’t believe it was a true story. He was not associated with one sport alone; there were different sports and different phases in his life. Also, he was an army officer. So, the log line of the film is a man who refuses to surrender,” said Aaryan.
From New York (2009) to 83 (2021), Khan is known for his eye for detail. It wasn’t any different for the biopic. The leading man says that he had to undergo physical transformation to step into Petkar’s shoes.
“We are showing him at 17 years old, 24 years old, and in later [years]. So, you’ll see a complete transformation in me throughout the film. My [fitness] routine was based on how the character had to look—he had to look childlike at one stage, mature in another. The shoot lasted a year, and I didn’t do anything else during that time.”
The worst thing about Vijay Deverakonda is that he is too serious all the time-Rashmika Mandanna
8:33 AM
On Neha’s chat show, Rashmika says rumoured boyfriend Vijay and she bonded over their middle-class backgrounds
Mohar Basu (BOMBAY TIMES; April 6, 2024)
From eagle-eyed fans spotting common backdrops in their holiday pictures, to engagement speculation, Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s rumoured relationship constantly makes news. The two, however, remain tight-lipped about it. On the latest episode of Neha Dhupia’s chat show, No Filter Neha, Mandanna opened up about their equation. She said the two gravitated towards each other because of their similar backgrounds.
“We come from middle-class families, so our thinking and perspectives are alike. I love that because it’s real and easy. The worst thing about him is that he is too serious all the time. It’s just work and work for him,” she said.
That Mandanna counts Deverakonda among the people closest to her was evident in another segment of the JioTV show. When Dhupia asked her whom she considers her therapist, the actor joked that her Dear Comrade (2019) co-star is her all-time, unpaid therapist. She also revealed that her nickname for Deverakonda is Vijju.
When people say that they won’t watch a film because I’m in it, that makes me feel bad-Ananya Panday
3:12 PM
On Neha’s chat show, Ananya says she alternates between being unaffected and deeply hurt by criticism
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 29, 2024)
With her latest season of No Filter Neha, host Neha Dhupia hopes to bring stars’ authentic and vulnerable side to the fore. Ananya Panday features in the upcoming episode of the JioTV offering. The actor may have initially battled criticism and social media hate, but she has slowly come into her own, giving mature performances in Gehraiyaan (2022) and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023).
In the episode, Panday reflected on how she dealt with criticism, saying, “If [the critics] are giving constructive feedback, then I don’t think it’s anything to bother with. On some days, the nastiest of things [said by trolls] wouldn’t bother me because I was having a fine day and feeling confident. [But] when I’m having a bad day, then [even a remark] about my hair being greasy will freak me out. When people say that they won’t watch a film because I’m in it, that makes me feel bad, not for myself, but for the hundreds of other people who have worked on the film.”
The first few years weren’t a smooth ride for Panday as she was scrutinized for her choice of films. When Dhupia asked her about her first few movies, she said they shaped her as an artiste. “I don’t think I would be the actor I am, if not for the lows. Ups and downs make you.”
It’s very hard to cast women in their 40s. We don’t want to play mums to old kids-Neha Dhupia
9:51 AM
Noting that 40-something female actors can’t play young parts or mother to older kids, Neha glad to find that sweet spot with her international debut film, Blue 52
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 11, 2024)
The roles of a chat show host and producer come easy to Neha Dhupia, but she asserts that she will always be an actor first. Naturally then, she is delighted to showcase her acting on an international stage with Blue 52. Egyptian director Ali El Arabi’s film revolves around a 22-year-old boy Ashish, who, raised in Kerala by a controlling father and a loving mother, escapes to Qatar with the hope of meeting his idol Lionel Messi at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“After all these years, I managed to get an international film. Maybe the time is right for me now,” smiles Dhupia, excited about her international debut. Adil Hussain and she play the protagonist’s parents in the drama that was shot in Kochi and Qatar.
“I felt so liberated every day on that set. My look was different; it was exactly how I wanted to be cast for a long time. It didn’t happen in India for me. I’m hoping more filmmakers see the movie and think of me in different roles. Adil is such a wonderful actor and a great teacher. You feel cocooned in his company.”
Blue 52 gave her not only a rich experience, but also an age-appropriate, meaty role. The actor reflects that in India, female artistes in their 40s are hardly seen in diverse parts. “I’ll be honest. It’s very hard to cast women in their 40s. We don’t want to play mums to old kids, and we aren’t getting cast as young women. I’m offered acting jobs, but the ones I want to do are few and far between.”
Dhupia juggles her acting commitments with her production, No Filter Neha. She has taken the chat series’ latest season from a podcast to a video show. What does she say to the same celebrity guests over and over again after six seasons?
“You never run out of conversations. For instance, Vicky [Kaushal] wasn’t married when he came the first time, and now, he has a wife. This time around, one of the most pleasant things I heard was from Ananya Panday. She spoke about learning from Deepika Padukone on Gehraiyaan [2022]. She learnt how sometimes if your hair or dialogue delivery is not right, [one must] ask for a second take. I had never asked for what’s mine on set. But Ananya [noted that] as long as no one is being inconvenienced, it’s okay to ask. It’s a part of giving your 100 per cent.”
Gulshan Devaiah and Neha Dhupia team up for a web show on mental health
9:47 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 11, 2024)
Actor Gulshan Devaiah is all set to star in his next web series that focuses on mental health, and it marks his first collaboration with actor Neha Dhupia. In October 2023, Dhupia confirmed that she’d mark her web debut with a series soon. The show is titled Therapy Sherapy and it’ll shed light on the subject of mental well-being in a unique way.
Making the news official, Devaiah expresses how important the subject of the show is for him. He says, “I think if every family can become a safe space for its members, then a lot of troubles that we have in this world will disappear. People will be happier, more content. The story of Therapy Sherapy is about an average middle-class family, and it brings to light these things. I’m looking forward to people making their homes and families a safe space to nurture each other, slowly and steadily.”
Devaiah also raves about Dhupia. “It was such a pleasure to do the intense and emotional scenes with Neha, who has totally hit a hundred with her part in this.” He is impressed with the child actors playing his children as well.
The actor also shares the screen with actors Seema Pahwa and Manoj Pahwa. Sharing his excitement, Devaiah says, “They are such skilled and experienced actors. It was a great joy to watch them create complex emotions with such ease. I also totally adore Girija Oak (actor), who is a multitalented artiste. I don’t know why we weren’t cast together before.”
The filming of Therapy Sherapy is currently underway. It’s being shot in Mumbai and Delhi, with the latest schedule wrapped up last month.
With motherhood, my style has become practically fashionable-Neha Dhupia
2:28 PM
Neha Dhupia reveals how becoming a mother elevated her personal style
Shweta Sunny (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 5, 2023)
For actor Neha Dhupia, self-love has played a central role in her life. But the turning point was when she became a mother. “I’m baffled by the beauty of how my body changes when I become a mum. Yes, postpartum bodies are a real thing and you have to own up to it. Just like how every body is different, similarly, every postpartum body is also different,” she tells us during a shoot with HT City Showstoppers.
Motherhood is known to come with responsibilities and less time to look after oneself. But for Dhupia, the chapter helped her elevate her style. “When you are in your 20s, you are looking around and following trends. But I feel like once you are in your 40s, you get very comfortable in your skin. My current style is comfortable and mildly androgynous because I like collars. I prefer basic and tone-on-tone palettes. But every once in a while, I shock myself by wearing fuchsia pink. With motherhood, my style has become practically fashionable but it hasn’t drastically changed. When I’m with my kids, a classic white shirt, a pair of denims and shoes are my go to,” adds the 43-year-old.
Dhupia, a mother of two, is not one to shy away from sporting grey hair. “I was born with a birthmark on the left side of my head so I had grey hair since then. I never coloured it because I didn’t see anything wrong with the fact that I had a natural grey streak. It is just that people have started taking note of it now,” the Sanak (2021) actor explains.
She feels that self-love does not come from being selfish, but from being selfless. “You’re a better person when you indulge in yourself a little bit. There should be no guilt or sorrow in taking time out for yourself because you’re just working towards being better,” Dhupia continues.
Accepting one’s body, according to her, is a long journey. “Over time, you learn how to love your body and live in it. Strangely, in most cases, a lot of people learn how to do that much later in life,” she wraps up.
Devi was born with two holes in her heart-Bipasha Basu
8:37 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (August 7, 2023)
In a recent Instagram live session with Neha Dhupia, Bipasha Basu opened up about her daughter Devi, whom she welcomed in November last year, being born with two holes in her heart. The actress broke down as she talked about her li’l girl having to undergo open heart surgery when she was three months old.
“I got to know on the third day of me having a baby that she is born with two holes in her heart. You feel so sad, burdened and conflicted because how can you put such a small child through an open heart surgery,” Bipasha said, adding, “But if you love your child, you must do it however difficult (it can be). It’s for the future of your child.”
‘DEVI HAS BEEN FABULOUS; SHE IS A FIGHTER’
Talking about their journey as parents, Bipasha said, “The last three months were fine, but the first five months were very difficult for us. But Devi has been fabulous from day one. She is a fighter.” The actress also shared that Devi is doing well now. She added, “It is the toughest thing to have your little child and have these 10 doctors explain to you what all can happen. Devi had a very successful operation, but those six hours when she was in the OT (operation theatre), my life felt like it had stopped.”
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (August 7, 2023)
Actor Bipasha Basu has revealed that her daughter, Devi Basu Singh Grover, was born with ventricular septal defect (VSD) in November last year. During an Instagram live session with actor Neha Dhupia, an emotional Basu revealed how she and her husband, actor Karan Singh Grover, navigated through the difficult times.
“On the third day [after delivery], we found out that Devi was born with two holes in her heart,” said the 44-year-old.
She added, “We didn’t even know what VSD was. It was a crazy period. We wanted to celebrate the birth of our baby, but Karan and I were numb. She had an open-heart surgery when she was three months old and those six hours [when she was in the operation theatre] were the toughest for us, I felt my life would end. But Devi has been fabulous since day one. She is so strong. She gives us a lot of strength.”
Neha Dhupia to host live 'Mommies and me' session with Bipasha Basu, Dia Mirza, Soha Ali Khan
8:39 AM
Leading Freedom To Feed that focuses on the importance of breastfeeding, Neha to host discussions with actor-mothers Bipasha, Dia and Soha
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 4, 2023)
In 2019, Neha Dhupia started the social media campaign, Freedom to Feed. With the initiative, the actor wanted to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding so that public spaces are made conducive for the act, and break the stigma surrounding it. Dhupia says that in the past four years, it has turned into a strong online community of over 55,000 mothers, parents and experts.
To mark the ongoing Breastfeeding Awareness Week, she will now host live sessions with actor-mothers Bipasha Basu, Dia Mirza, Gauahar Khan and content creator Masoom Minawala. The idea is to shed light on their personal breastfeeding journeys, share insight, and address common misconceptions related to nursing.
For Dhupia, who is mother to Mehr and Guriq, the cause is incredibly close to her heart. “I have personally experienced the challenges and joys of breastfeeding. It’s an empowering journey, but it’s also essential to recognise that every mother’s experience is unique and should be celebrated without judgment or shame. Through my initiative, I aim to shed light on this crucial aspect of motherhood and break the barriers that prevent mothers from openly embracing this natural process,” she says.
This year, the actor will also take the initiative on ground, hosting an in-person conversation with actor Soha Ali Khan and wrestler Geeta Phogat in Mumbai on August 7. “I am determined to educate, dispel the myths, and foster a more supportive and inclusive environment for all mothers,” adds Dhupia.
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