Veteran actress Neena Gupta brought equal parts wit, wisdom, and realism to her session at FICCI Frames Day 2, reflecting on the nature of success in the Indian film industry and how it came to her late, but in full bloom.
“In our industry, you need that one big hit, that one big break,” Gupta began. “The moment you get it, if the film does well and your role is good, you’re suddenly a very good actor. You also start looking very beautiful. And that’s what they call a ‘break’.”
For Gupta, that pivotal moment came with Badhaai Ho—a film that changed not only her public perception but also her career trajectory. “I got my break very late in life, with Badhaai Ho. After that, everything changed. Suddenly, I became a great actor. People started writing roles for me. I did some really good work after that. But honestly, if Badhaai Ho hadn’t been a hit, I’d still be doing small roles—mother roles, side parts.”
Following her success on the big screen, the streaming boom brought her richer, deeper parts. “On OTT platforms, I started getting really substantial roles. And I loved it. Earlier, there was hardly anything written for someone my age. But then I started doing meaningful work.”
However, even this second innings came with its own twist.
“There was a moment when I had several good projects lined up. But strangely, many of those people who had initially approached me—just disappeared,” she shared, with a bemused smile. “I told my manager, ‘What’s going on?’”
Gupta pointed to a shift in the OTT landscape as one of the reasons. “Suddenly, the big, successful producers also jumped into OTT. And the smaller, independent creators who were earlier giving me work—they got sidelined. Yes, I still have work now, but that initial gush—the fountain that had burst open—has settled down.”
Her words resonated with many in the audience—actors, creators, and dreamers alike who understood the fragility of fame and the unpredictable waves of opportunity in the entertainment world.