Veteran actress Neena Gupta, who will be seen in commercial drama Badhaai Ho, said that she is glad to work in times when opportunities have opened up for senior actors in content-driven films. Gupta has been a part of notable films like Gandhi, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Mandi, Utsav and Mulk. She has also worked in television shows like Saans and Buniyaad.
Last year, she took to social media to ask for work. Her message, "I am a good actor looking for good parts to play", brought attention to how despite being a National Award-winning actress, writer and director, she did so.
Since then, her visibility has increased. In Badhaai Ho, she plays an old woman who gets pregnant again after having two grown-up children.
Asked how it feels to be in a period where senior actors are getting an opportunity to play meaty roles in content-driven films, she said, "Yes...it never used to happen earlier. It feels really nice to be in times where senior actors are getting meaty roles in content-driven films."
She is grateful to the film's team for roping her in for the film.
"It's my first full-fledged role in a commercial film, which will have a good release as well. So, I feel very fortunate to be part of this film."
Badhaai Ho tackles the subject of a couple expecting a baby in old age -- something that society in India is likely to make fun of.
Asked how she felt being part of an ageless love story, Gupta said: "You shouldn't call it an ageless love story. It's an 'ageful' romance and there shouldn't be any kind of objection to it. I think it's a personal choice of a husband and wife if they want to extend their family.”
"It also depends upon various factors which we have talked about in this film is that whether you can afford to have a child, whether your health permits you to look after your child... So, it is between the couple what they want to do in their life,” she added.
Apart from Gupta, Badhaai Ho also stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Sanya Mahotra, Gajraj Rao and Sheeba Chaddha in key roles.
The film is directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma and produced by Vineet Jain, Aleya Sen, Hemant Bhandari and Priti Sahani under the banner of Junglee Pictures and Chrome Pictures. It will release on October 19.
