"Kamasutra is a symbol of sex, it’s not Esha Gupta": Actress opens up on getting titles she never asked for

In a world that often mistakes beauty for identity, Esha Gupta is speaking up, and how. In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube show, the Jannat 2 actress opened up about her journey in Bollywood, her battles with labels, and the unseen pressure behind her striking image. Known for her bold screen presence and powerful features, Esha shared how she’s long been tagged as “hot” or a “sex symbol”, a title she never asked for.

Opening up about the beginning of her career, Esha revealed that her debut plans were initially derailed due to internal politics. A director-producer had asked an agency not to launch her, preferring to promote another rising artist. To add to the setback, people also made her feel insecure about her natural looks. “I didn’t stereotype myself; people did,” she said firmly, adding that it's not the media, but the people who create such images.

The conversation then took a deeper turn when she addressed the long-standing “sex symbol” label. “What is a symbol of sex? Kamasutra is a symbol of sex, not Esha,” she quipped, making it clear that while she accepts her looks as a gift from nature or Kamdev, being reduced to just that is far from flattering. In fact, she admitted that such stereotyping had once affected her confidence. “You start thinking, ‘Should I not look like this? Should I try to blend in?’” she said, recalling how someone once even suggested she get a nose job, which she proudly refused.

Over the years, Esha has carved her space with memorable roles, be it her debut in Jannat 2 or her recent turn in Bobby Deol’s hit series Aashram. Now, she’s gearing up for a comeback with Dhamaal 4, sharing screen space with comedy legends like Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh. Meanwhile, her Instagram remains a buzz-worthy space, equal parts glamour, fitness, and fierce confidence. But behind every post is a woman who has learned to stand her ground.