‘Ma-behen ki gaali di’: Neena Gupta recalls abuse on set and admits she needed the money

Veteran actor Neena Gupta has spoken candidly about facing verbal abuse on film sets and accepting work she did not enjoy due to financial pressure. In an interview with Times Now, the actor reflected on a difficult phase of her career when survival took priority over creative satisfaction. Her comments shed light on the realities many actors face when choices are limited.

Neena admitted that she took up several roles she later regretted. She said there were films she wished had never released. “Maine aise aise kaam kiye hai chi main ghar aake Bhagwan se prarthna karti thi yeh picture na release ho. Ek mein Shakti Kapoor ke gang ki member thi. Utna hi mera role tha.” She explained that these roles offered little scope and left her feeling dissatisfied.

The actor also recalled being verbally abused by a director on set. She said the abuse was not linked to her performance or mistakes. “You can’t imagine, I have been abused on set. I have been given Ma-Behen ki gaali without my fault. The director used those words.” Neena added that she tolerated such behaviour because she needed the money at the time.

Reflecting further, she said, “Situation mein phasi nahi thi, paise chahiye the na. Kuch aur milta toh yeh nahi karti.” Neena clarified that she was not trapped creatively but was financially constrained, which pushed her to accept work she would otherwise have refused. Her remarks underline how economic pressure often silences resistance on sets.

Neena also revealed that she has recently been approached to direct projects. However, she said she does not wish to explore that path at the moment. According to her, her acting career is currently in a good space and she wants to focus on performing rather than taking on additional responsibilities.

Over the years, Neena Gupta has built an extensive body of work across film, television and digital platforms. Her films include Saath Saath, Gandhi, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Mandi, Khalnayak, Badhaai Ho, Veere Di Wedding, 83, Goodbye, Uunchai and Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, among others.

On television and OTT, she has appeared in shows such as Saans, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Made in Heaven, Panchayat, Masaba Masaba and Charlie Chopra. Neena was last seen in the crime thriller Vadh 2, directed by Jaspal Singh Sandhu, alongside Sanjay Mishra and Kumud Mishra.