Neena Gupta, the 62 year old National Award winning film and television actress, is using social media to find work. While it is surprising that an actor, writer and director of her stature would need to look for work, but understandable at the same time because substantially good projects are probably hard to come by. It is equally heartening to see that she associates no shame in asking for work despite her accomplishments. She’s best remembered for her pathbreaking performances in Saans and Buniyaad, in an era when Indian television was actually progressive and intelligently entertaining.
In fact, Priyanka Chopra commented on her Instagram post saying she was “inspired” by her outlook towards work and life.
Neena posted a picture of herself with the caption “I live in Mumbai and working, am a good actor looking for good parts to play”. She even tweeted about it.
Neena Gupta’s daughter Masaba also celebrated her mother’s spirit with an emotional repost of the same message with her own caption:
Just the other day I was telling someone how I’m never afraid/shy to ask for work. It’s obviously genetic. My mother put up this post on her Instagram today. I mean, my 62 year old National Award winning mother. She told me I must always work, no matter what. It keeps you from getting old. She told me they don’t write for women her age anymore. I don’t think anyone can replicate what she did for TV anymore. She complains that she can’t do PR but says ‘I do good work, that’s my PR’. Time and again we’ve spoken about how whatever she asks for, in due time she gets. But that’s the magic of a pure heart. The universe just can’t refuse you. The only advice I have the guts to give her is... don’t work with anyone who won’e respect you at this age. That’s the bare minimum and it’s a strange strange industry she’s in. The advice she gives me in return is ‘Whatever you do, free ka PR mat khaana, you’re only someone’s wife/kid/niece/sister for this long. Prove yourself. Work. Walk the talk and fly.Masaba Gupta, Fashion Designer (Neena Gupta’s Daughter)
The veteran actor just hit the nail on its head in Bollywood’s ongoing nepotism debate, though probably unknowingly. At the same time, she also brings into focus the fact that the entertainment industry is barely even trying to break boundaries or tell unconventional stories. Though we absolutely loved her in the recent viral short film Khujli opposite Jackie Shroff, here’s hoping that a lot more interesting projects come her way, especially after this bold move.
(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue?
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