Being someone who has been fascinated with films and everything about it, I always wondered what keeps the fire in the belly going for these actors even after so many years. Then I met Neena Gupta, and talking to her I realized that when you do what you love, time just passes by. For her too, it’s been years in this industry, but still, there is a long list of roles she wants to play. With her latest film Shiv Shastri Balboa released I had spoken to her and I must say this was my most candid conversation with her. What I liked about this conversation was that it was every bit honest. Read on…

Taking about facing lows in life and still getting up, Neenaji said…

It has been so many times that I don’t even remember. Initially, every day was like you are down, you wanted to leave everything, then you bag a small role and you take it, so getting up has been a part of my life.

Sharing her thoughts on the relevance of being in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, she said…

It’s not the only thing that matters. It is a business, if your film is successful people will take you again because your market value goes up. We don’t have to be emotional about it, but be practical. If Badhaai Ho wouldn’t have been a hit I wouldn’t have been here.

We also spoke about how the concept of shelf life for actors has disappeared in this day and age, to this she added…

I am very impressed with people like Kareena Kapoor Khan, being a mother of two, she has continued working. Earlier it was like, your career would end after marriage, so after a child there was no question only to continue. But now Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Alia Bhatt, will all bounce back soon.

When I asked her what keeps her going even today? She shared…

I actually love my work. There are very few days when you get an amazing scene, and when that happens, I am at the top of the world. I can stay with that for some time. If it’s a good role, I don’t even feel hungry or thirsty.

Talking about her dream roles, Neena Gupta shared…

I still haven’t done much, I want to do Meryl Streep roles, Nicole Kidman roles. I want to do a musical, an action film. I was also offered an action film, but things have gone slow on it. So there is lots I want to do.

I must say, you never know when anyone leaves you so inspired. And to me, she did when she said that her motto in life was to be thankful for what she has in life and not cry over what she doesn’t. Having said that, I am very excited to see her in an action film and I hope the offer materializes soon.