'You are a JOKE, how DARE you?': Ulka Gupta reveals Malayalam director REJECTED her after The Kerala Story 2

Actress Ulka Gupta, who is currently seen in The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, recently opened up about a shocking experience she faced with a Malayalam filmmaker.

In an exclusive conversation with India Forums, the actress revealed that she was once in advanced talks for a Malayalam film but was eventually rejected after the director told her she had become "meme material" in Kerala following the release of The Kerala Story 2.

Ulka shared that she has always admired Malayalam cinema and had long hoped to be a part of it. However, the experience left her deeply hurt.

Speaking about the incident, Ulka said, "You know, I am a big fan of Malayalam films. And I have so many favourites. I look up to them. I have always wanted to work in it. In fact, I was in talks for a Malayalam film before The Kerala Story. And I got a call from that director. I don't want to name him. We had done the script reading and almost everything."

She further explained how the conversation with the filmmaker took an unexpected turn.

"And he called me and said, 'You know, you are a meme material in our state. So many memes are being made on you. You are a joke. How dare you? Why did you take this movie up? For money?' And he said, 'I don't want to work with you.'

The actress admitted that the remark left her shocked and emotionally affected, especially because it came from a filmmaker.

"I was really heartbroken. I didn't think that he would take it like that or anybody would take it like that — and that too a filmmaker. I mean, I am an actor. I have nothing against the state. And I am so proud of my country, proud of each and every state and its culture."

You know, I am a big fan of Malayalam films. And I have so many favourites. I look up to them. I have always wanted to work in it. In fact, I was in talks for a Malayalam film before The Kerala Story. And I got a call from that director. I don't want to name him. We had done the script reading and almost everything.

And he called me and said, "You know, you are a meme material in our state. So many memes are being made on you. You know, a joke. How dare you? Why did you take this movie up? For money?" And he said, "I don't want to work with you?"

I was really heartbroken. I didn't think that he would take it like that or anybody would take it like that — and that too a filmmaker. I mean, I am an actor. I have nothing against the state. And I am so proud of my country, proud of each and every state and its culture.

But I don't think I disrespected anything. It was very surprising. But yeah, that's what I signed up for. And I hope I get better chances and I get to work in Malayalam films

- Ulka Gupta

Ulka clarified that she never intended to disrespect any culture or community through her work and believes actors should not be judged personally for the roles they choose.

"But I don't think I disrespected anything. It was very surprising. But yeah, that's what I signed up for."

Despite the setback, the actress remains hopeful about her future in the Malayalam film industry. She expressed that her admiration for the cinema and its storytelling remains unchanged.

"And I hope I get better chances and I get to work in Malayalam films."

With The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond now released, Ulka Gupta continues to move forward professionally while hoping that opportunities in Malayalam cinema will eventually come her way.