Neena Gupta has opened up about the intense scrutiny she has faced over her personal life and revealed how she dealt with recent pregnancy rumours that emerged after her appearance at Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s wedding reception.
The veteran actor has spent decades navigating public conversations around her personal choices, including her relationship with former West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards and her decision to raise daughter Masaba Gupta as a single mother. In a recent interview with News18, Neena reflected on the questions, judgments and unsolicited opinions she has encountered over the years.
Neena Gupta recalls being questioned about marriage
Speaking about the social scrutiny she experienced, Neena recalled being repeatedly asked when she planned to get married. She said she would question why other people were concerned about her personal decisions when she was living independently.
“People would ask me when I would get married. I would tell them that main tere baap ka nahi khaati, apne baap ka rahi hoon, toh kya problem hai? I’ve faced judgment from neighbours too. They had once complained about me. I came to know who did it, and I don’t speak to them nicely anymore,” she said.
Neena has previously spoken about how her choices did not always conform to conventional expectations, particularly when it came to relationships, motherhood and her life outside marriage.
Pregnancy rumours followed Neena Gupta’s reception appearance
The actor found herself at the centre of another round of speculation after attending Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s wedding reception in Hyderabad earlier this year.
Photos and videos from the event circulated widely online. Some social-media users speculated that Neena appeared to have a slight bulge around her stomach and began suggesting that she might be pregnant.
Neena has now explained that the appearance was simply the result of the way her saree was draped.
Neena explains the ‘baby bump’ speculation
According to Neena, she had worn a saree made from relatively thick fabric for the reception. One of the pleats fell across her stomach in a way that created a visible bulge.
“I wore a saree to the wedding. It was made of a thick fabric. The pleat fell in such a way that there was a bulge over my belly. And soon, people started saying that I got pregnant in my 60s,” she told News18.
The actor said she eventually chose to respond to questions about the rumour with humour rather than repeatedly explain the situation.
Neena Gupta jokes about being pregnant in her 60s
Neena revealed that she began playing along whenever someone asked her about the speculation.
“Eventually, whoever asked me about it, I started telling them that yes, I’m pregnant. Waise, I heard that a woman in her 70s gave birth to twins, toh iska matlab mera chance hai abhi (laughs),” she said.
While Neena found humour in the situation, she also admitted that the repeated questions became irritating.
“I got annoyed with it,” she said.
Her response reflects the actor’s characteristic use of humour when addressing intrusive conversations about her personal life.
Neena Gupta has often spoken about public judgment
The pregnancy rumour is only the latest instance in which Neena Gupta has faced public commentary about her appearance and personal choices.
Her relationship with Vivian Richards and her decision to raise Masaba as a single mother have been discussed publicly for years. The actor has also faced criticism over her fashion choices, particularly when she has worn outfits that some people considered unconventional for her age.
