Published: 10:47 AM, 09 September 2026
Neena Gupta says older actors have more ego, insecurity
Neena Gupta has been a part of the entertainment industry for over four decades. In a career that has seen her appear in some of the biggest Bollywood films, TV shows, and international productions, she has worked with a wide range of performers and personalities. But the 67-year-old says she feels most at home with the younger actors, a generation junior to her. The reason, she tells Hindustan Times in a chat, is the ‘ego and insecurities’ that actors of her generation have.
Neena Gupta began her career with small parts in films such as Gandhi and Mandi in the early 80s, before making a name for herself in Indian parallel cinema. The last decade has seen her extensively in mainstream Bollywood films and web series such as Panchayat and Masaba Masaba. The actor is currently promoting her upcoming show, Chumbak. Ahead of its release, she sat down with Hindustan Times for a chat with her co-stars. We noted that she has worked with almost 4-5 generations of actors and asked if there is one she finds the most ‘exhausting’. True to her outspoken self, the veteran actor replied promptly, “The older generation!”
Neena added that she prefers working with the younger actors. “I get along so well with this younger generation. Lagta hi nahi ki main inse bahut badi hoon (I don’t feel like I am much older than them). When I work with (actors of) my generation, bahut taqleef hoti hai (it is very difficult).”
The veteran actor says she found that actors of her generation were riddled with insecurities. Recalling an incident, she tells us, “They have so much ego. Once during a shoot, this actor was standing behind me, and he thought he wasn’t visible (in the frame). So he pulled me back and took my spot. This is how it is. They have ego problems and insecurities.”
