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Neena Gupta Warns Young Actresses: Avoid Comedy Roles Early to Escape Typecasting

Veteran actor Neena Gupta has cautioned young actresses aiming to be leading heroines against taking comedy roles early in their careers. She revealed her own role in the 1982 hit 'Saath Saath' became a "disaster" for her leading lady prospects due to its massive popularity. Gupta recalled playwright Girish Karnad predicting at the film's premiere that she would never get a heroine role again, which largely came true. She continues to be acclaimed for her recent work in series like 'Panchayat' and 'Masaba Masaba'.

Key Points: Neena Gupta's Career Advice: Why Young Actresses Should Avoid Comedy

  • Early comedy roles can lead to typecasting
  • Popular 'Saath Saath' role was a career "disaster"
  • Girish Karnad predicted her struggle for lead roles
  • Breaking the comic image is challenging for actors
3 min read

Comedy shuru mein mat karo: Neena Gupta advises young actresses on early career choices

Veteran actor Neena Gupta advises against early comedy roles to avoid typecasting, sharing her own experience from the hit film 'Saath Saath'.

"Comedy koi jisko lead karna hai koi ladki comedy mat karna shuru mein - Neena Gupta"

New Delhi, February 2

Veteran actor Neena Gupta, celebrated for her versatility in Indian cinema, opened up about the twists and turns of her career, reflecting on how early choices, especially in comedy, shaped her journey and led to years of typecasting.

Speaking to ANI in an exclusive interview, Neena advised young actresses to think twice before taking up comedy roles early in their careers if they aim to become leading heroines. She emphasised that while comic roles can be hugely popular, they can also box actors into a particular image, making it challenging to break into more serious or leading roles later on.

The 'Panchayat' actor described her supporting role in the 1982 film 'Saath Saath' as the "sabse bada disaster" of her career--not because the film failed, but because it succeeded too well. In the film, she portrayed a bespectacled, know-it-all girl, a character that became extremely popular with audiences.

"Sabse bada disaster jo maine kiya maine ek film ki 'Saath Saath'. I did a role of a lallu ladki..it became such a hit maine bola 'I have arrived'." she said. The film, which also starred Farooq Shaikh, Deepti Naval and Satish Shah, went on to become a big hit. However, Gupta felt that the popularity of her role typecast her, making filmmakers reluctant to cast her as a leading heroine.

Recalling an incident at the film's premiere party, she said playwright, actor and film director Girish Karnad bluntly predicted the impact the role would have on her career.

"There was a party for the premiere. Girish Karnad came. He knew me from NSD. He said, 'Now you are finished. You will never get a heroine role.' That's what happened," she said, further adding, "Comedy koi jisko lead karna hai koi ladki comedy mat karna shuru mein because then they can't think of you for heroine..I got at least 8 such roles. "

Drawing a comparison, Gupta reflected, "Mehmood was so good-looking, handsome, a good actor. Did he ever get a hero. I think of Sunil Grover, he's such a good-looking, handsome, great actor. I don't know whether, maybe things will change now...Sunil is a good-looking, smart, tall fellow... Abhi Kapil Sharma ko mila hai..kuch film ki usne.. Let's see, chalo, kuch to break hua hai.."

Neena Gupta continues to earn acclaim for her performances in projects such as 'Panchayat', 'Masaba Masaba', 'Uunchai', 'Vadh 2', among others.

Her performances have been recognised with numerous honours, including the National Film Awards, the Filmfare Awards, and the Filmfare OTT Awards.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Respectfully, I disagree a bit. Times are changing. Look at Vidya Balan in 'Tumhari Sulu' - she was hilarious and still gets serious roles. It's about talent and choosing scripts wisely, not avoiding a genre. But Neena ji's experience was from a different era.
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Sarah B
As someone who follows Indian cinema from abroad, this is fascinating. The typecasting seems very strong there. In Hollywood, actors like Melissa McCarthy can do comedy and then win awards for serious drama. Maybe the Indian industry needs to evolve on this front.
A
Arjun K
She's absolutely right yaar. It's not just about heroines. Look at the male comedians she mentioned - Mehmood, Sunil Grover. Brilliant, but stuck in a box. The audience and filmmakers both need to broaden their vision. Talent should define roles, not past images.
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Kavya N
Her honesty is refreshing! "Sabse bada disaster" because the role was a hit – that says so much about our industry's mindset. But thank god for OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon. Shows like 'Panchayat' are finally letting actors like her shine beyond typecasts. 👏
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Michael C
It's sad that such a talented actress felt limited for years. Girish Karnad's prediction coming true is heartbreaking. Hopefully, the new generation of directors is more open-minded. Her career resurgence is inspiring though!

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