Veteran Indian actress and director Neena Gupta enjoys a prolific career spanning decades. Her talent has garnered her numerous accolades and a dedicated fanbase.

Wiki/Biography

Neena Gupta, born on Thursday, 4 June 1959 (age 64 years as of 2023), hails from Delhi. A Gemini, she received her schooling at The Lawrence School, Sanawar in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. She furthered her education, earning an M.A. and an M.Phil in Sanskrit from Delhi.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5’3″
• Eye Colour: Black
• Hair Colour: Black

Family, Caste & Husband

Born into a Hindu family, Neena’s father was the late R. N. Gupta, and her mother, Shakuntala Gupta, passed away from cancer. She has one brother, Pankaj Gupta.

Her first marriage, at 16, to a boy from Calcutta (an IIT Delhi alumnus), ended after two years. Rumors of an engagement to veteran actor Alok Nath later surfaced, followed by a relationship with Shaarangdev, son of Pandit Jasraj. These relationships ultimately did not lead to marriage.

Her well-known long-term relationship with West Indies cricket legend Vivian Richards resulted in the birth of their daughter, Masaba Gupta, a successful fashion designer, in 1989. Despite never marrying Richards, they remain amicable.

In 2002, Neena met Vivek Mehra, a Delhi-based chartered accountant, on a flight to Mumbai. They married in a private ceremony in the US on July 15, 2008. While Neena resides in Mumbai, Vivek remains in Delhi.

Career

After graduating from the National School of Drama in 1982, Neena began her acting career. Her Bollywood debut was in “Saath Saath” (1982), quickly followed by a notable role in the international film “Gandhi”.

She has appeared in a wide range of films, including “Mandi” (1983), “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron” (1983), “Rihaee” (1988), “Swarg” (1990), and “Drishti” (1990). Her television career started with “Khandaan” (1985), and she’s appeared in numerous serials, such as “Daddy” (1989), “Saans” (1999), and “Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin” (2004).

Neena’s contributions extend beyond acting; she directed the TV serial “Saans” (1999) and hosted the game show “Kamzor Kadi Kaun” (2002). Her recent work includes roles in “Badhaai Ho” (2018), “Veere Di Wedding” (2018), and “Panga” (2020), showcasing her versatility.

She also ventured into web series scripting with “Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain” and continued to act in films like “The Last Color” (2019) and “Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan” (2020).

Controversies

Neena’s relationship with Vivian Richards and subsequent decision to raise their daughter without marriage generated significant media attention and criticism in the late 1980s.

Awards & Honours

Neena has received numerous awards throughout her career, including:

Favourite Things

• Food: Rajma Chawal
• Actor(s): Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna
• Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
• Colour: Cherry Red

Facts/Trivia

• She is a National School of Drama alumna.
• Her mother reportedly wanted her to become an IAS officer.
• She played hockey on her college team.
• She earned Rs. 10,000 for her role in “Gandhi”.
• She was reportedly engaged three times but never married until later in life.
• She maintains a good friendship with Vivian Richards.
• She has appeared in numerous TV commercials and magazine covers.
• She enjoys a healthy vegetarian diet and has hobbies including reading and travelling. She is an animal lover, owning a pet dog.
• She is a devotee of Lord Ganesha.
• She released a pop album, “Go To Court”, in 1997.
• She received an appreciation letter from Amitabh Bachchan after “Badhaai Ho”.
• Her autobiography “Sach Kahun Toh” details various aspects of her life.