In an interview with Rajeev Masand, Neena Gupta got candid about her daughter, Masaba Gupta and said that raising her without a conventional family was selfish on her part. Details inside!
Badhaai Ho actress, Neena Gupta is a power-woman, undeniably. It was in the 1980s when she met West Indian cricketer, Vivian Richards in Mumbai and fell in love with him. The love between the two was as passionate as it gets, and she knew that the wedding with him wasn't possible when she discovered that she is pregnant. Against the wishes of her friends and family members, she gave birth to her child as a single mother and named her, Masaba Gupta. (Suggested Read: First Look Of Sharad Malhotra And Ripci Bhatia From Their Mehendi, She Dazzles In Floral Jewellery)
Masaba Gupta got married to Madhu Mantena in 2015 but they filed for trial separation in August 2018. Last month, in March 2019, they got legally divorced. Masaba Gupta and Madhu Mantena had recently released an official statement confirming their divorce, which could be read as, “After much thought and consideration, we have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters. We have decided to move forward separately and get divorced. We are two individuals who respect and care for each other and have made our own choices. We would appreciate if we are given our privacy at this time.”
Neena Gupta recently gave an interview to film critic, Rajeev Masand and Neena ji spoke candidly about her daughter, Masaba. Commenting on her choice of depriving Masaba of her father and a normal family, Neena Gupta said it was selfish on her part. She was quoted as saying, "Very much. All the time. I feel it was a very selfish act on my part. Some of my friends told me it won’t be fair on part of the child, but kaun sunnta hai uss waqat, blind hotey hain (who listens at that age, people are blind). I also feel sad because she was lonely. I wish I had another child but circumstances weren’t like that)."
Neena Gupta also shared that she had advised her daughter, Masaba Gupta against choosing an acting career in Bollywood. She had told Masaba that she could never be a Hema Malini or an Alia Bhatt in this country with her looks and complexion. Nena ji retorted, "I told her ‘If you want to be an actor then you go abroad. Jis tarah tumhara shakal hai, body hai, tumhe yahan Indian milieu mein bahot kam role milenge (The way you look, the way your body is, you will get very few roles in the Indian milieu) even if you become a good actor. So tumko woh heroine nahin milegi. Toh Hema Malini nahin banoge, Alia Bhatt nahin banoge (You will never become a heroine, you will never become Hema Malini, you will never become an Alia Bhatt)’ (sic)." (Also Read: Lara Dutta's Ex-Boyfriend, Kelly Dorjie Is All Set To Exchange Wedding Vows With Model Maya)
Neena ji also commented on Masaba's divorce and said, “Like a normal mother, I said don't take any decision in a rush. Think about it because me and my husband both loved Madhu and still love him. He's a very nice man and we still love him. But... nahi bana toh nahi bana...Humne bola socho isko, aisa nahi hai ki immediate decision liya, they thought about it. It was a very big shock to me.”
Earlier, before finalising their divorce, Masaba Gupta and Madhu Mantena had gone for trial separation. She had taken to her Instagram handle and wrote, “To, our family, friends, acquaintances, With a lot of sadness, Madhu & I have decided today to go on a trial separation in our marriage. Both of us have taken this decision after consulting professionals and our parents. The only thing we are ready to say right now is, 'what we both want out of life individually and separately is putting unnecessary pressure on the marriage and the love that we share. Hence, we would take time off from each other and our marriage to figure out for ourselves what we want out of this life.”
The note could be further read as, “We are not strong enough to explain ourselves to even friends who deserve an answer from us.... All we can say to them is to give us time and to give us love when we reach out to you. We now need a lot of it”. And concluded with, “While we know, given the world and the lives we live in will lead to speculation, rumours and dragging us down into the dirt at this time. We are communicating and encouraging each other to be brave and reminding ourselves the only priority at this time is the well-being and protection of our own selves and our families. Madhu & Masaba.” (You May Like: Hina Khan's Boyfriend, Rocky Jaiswal Showers Ladylove With Expensive Gifts As He Returns From London)
How did you feel after reading Neena Gupta's statements about Masaba Gupta and her advice to her daughter about an acting career in Bollywood?