Recently, Neena Gupta revealed that she feels jealous when her friends or contemporaries bag a role in a project, which she auditioned for as well.
Neena Gupta, a prominent figure in Indian showbiz, embarked on her career in the ‘80s. However, it is only now, at the age of 64, that she is receiving the recognition she deserves for her versatile performances. Her portrayal of ‘Manju Devi’, the 'Pradhan of Phulera', in the popular comedy-drama, Panchayat, has particularly catapulted her to fame. Currently, Neena Gupta is basking in the success of the show's latest season.
Recently, Neena Gupta revealed that despite being friends with many actors, she feels jealous when she loses out on a role to someone else. While conversing with India Today, the actress discussed one such incident when a young filmmaker approached both her and her good friend, Sunita Rajwar, who plays ‘Kranti Devi’ in Panchayat. Sharing her thoughts on the incident, Neena Gupta added:
“I kept wondering why would she reach out to both of us if she didn’t want to cast me. Sunita and I are very good friends but we look so different from each other, so how can one approach both of us for the same role? There are no similarities.”
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Further continuing her chain of thoughts, the 64-year-old actress shared that she feels that jealousy creeps into her heart when her friends or contemporaries bag a role that she wants. However, Neena Gupta mentioned that she takes these setbacks in good spirits. In her words:
“There is a bit of jealousy. I feel jealous when my friends or contemporaries bag apart, and I don’t, but I also take it in a good spirit.”
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Previously, while speaking with News18 Showsha, Neena Gupta talked about her earlier days and revealed that she would accept any role as she needed money back then. The actress also mentioned that she would wholeheartedly pray to God for those films not to be released on the silver screens. In her words:
“Need ke hisaab se it (the choice of script) has changed. Pehle zarurat thi paise ki zyada toh paise ke liye bahaut bure bure kaam karne padte the. Kai baar mai bhagwan se prarthna karti thi ki yeh picture release hi na ho. Ab mai na keh sakti hoon, pehle kabhi na nahi keh sakti thi. Jo script mujhe bahut achi lagti hai, role bahut acha lagta hai woh haan karti hoon aur jo nahin acha lagta woh nahin karti hoon.”
According to a report by Moneycontrol, Neena Gupta charges around Rs. 50,000 for each episode. As the latest season of Amazon Prime’s comedy-drama, Panchayat has eight episodes, the 64-year-old actress’ total fees for this season add to Rs. 4 lakh.
What do you think of Neena Gupta’s honest confession to feeling jealous when she doesn’t bag a role?
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