Throwback: Did you know that Neena Gupta said yes to Sooraj Barjatya’s film ‘Oonchai’ without even hearing the script?

Veteran actress Neena Gupta, who has appeared in films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Mandi, Swarg, Khalnayak, has made a strong comeback with the 2018 film Badhaai Ho. Neena has spoken openly about her journey in Hindi cinema so far. The 65-year-old actress recently won a National Award for playing a supporting role in Sooraj Barjatya’s 2022 film Oonchai. Did you know that Neena agreed to do the Barjatya directorial without even reading the script?

During an interview with Pinkvilla in 2022, Neena Gupta shared her experience of achieving the ‘height’ of Rajshri Productions and how she couldn’t miss the opportunity to work with Sooraj Barjatya.

“Main to chaunk gaya tha. Mujhe bulaya unke apne office me script narration ke liye. Main soch rahi thi na bhi sunao tab bhi karungi. (I was shocked. He called me to his office to narrate the script. I was thinking that even if I didn’t hear the narration, I would have done it)” Neena had said.

“Kyunki 30 saal se integar kar rhi thi, milne ke bhi shamana nahi hoti thi unse. Uske baad yeh hua toh main unchi udaan bhar raha tha (Because I had been waiting for 30 years, there was no possibility of meeting her. Then this happened..)” he added.

Neena Gupta further said that in the initial phase of her career, she was not able to meet famous directors. The Badhaai Ho actress said that she neither had any contacts nor a godfather in the industry.

Neena Gupta told that it was very difficult to meet filmmakers at that time. Praising Mandi director Shyam Benegal, Neena said that he used to meet her because she was from the National School of Drama. The actress told that Benegal did not give her any big role in his films, but he used to meet her.

In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Neena Gupta revealed her first reaction. She said that after reading her name in the winners’ list, she asked her manager to double-check.

Apart from Neena, the film ‘Unchai’ featured actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Danny Denzongpa and Sarika.