INDIAN INDUSTRY often shaped by appearancesandexpectations,veteranactorNeena Gupta has spoken candidly about the difficult but defining conversations she had with her daughter, designer and actor MasabaGupta,whileguidingher through therealitiesofHindicinemaandcreative life. Speaking to ANI,NeenaGupta recalled an early moment when Masaba was considering acting. Addressing whether she supported or directedMasaba’seventualmoveinto fashion,Guptasaid theshiftwasneveraplanned decision. “It was not her decision. It just happened. Circumstances were like that,” she explained, adding that Masaba initially did not want to act but considered it because others around her were doing so.

 

Gupta said she chose to be honest with her daughter about the industry’s rigid standards at that time. “I told her, look, your face is like this, your body is like this. You won’t get the heroine of a Hindi film because you don’tlook like that.It’s a fact.You don’t look like the heroine of a Hindi film of that time,” she said. Gupta added that she encouraged Masaba to consider character roles and formal trainingif she wanted to pursue acting. Despite her practical advice, Gupta admitted she was deeply movedbyMasaba’sperformance abilities. “I cried when I saw her work. She is such a good actor. She’s very natural,” she said, acknowledgingherdaughter’s talent.