MUMBAI: Actress Neena Gupta known for successes like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and Khalnayak made a big impression with her 2018 comeback in Badhaai Ho. She won a National Award for her performance in Sooraj Barjatya's Uunchai, and she is now 65 years old.
Despite not having seen the script, Neena accepted the part! She had mentioned in a 2022 interview with the popular news portal how the opportunity to collaborate with Barjatya was too excellent to pass up.
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“Main toh shocked thi. Mujhe bulaya unhone apne office mein script sunane 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.
She further added, “Kyunki 30 saal se wait kar rahi thi, milne ki bhi sambhavna nahin hoti thi unse. Uske baad yeh hua toh I was flying high (Because I was waiting for 30 years, there was no possibility of meeting him. Then this happened).”
Uunchai, which was released in 2022, was directed by Sooraj Barjatya and revolved around three septuagenarian friends who embark on a trek to the Everest Base Camp.
Neena Gupta stated she "didn't believe" her win at first in an interview with the well-known news outlet following the significant success. “I was happily surprised. I told my manager to reconfirm it. I didn’t even know that the National Awards winners would be declared on this date (August 16)! It has now sunk in, and I feel really good. This proves that if you really work hard, you’ll get something truly rewarding in return,” shared the 65-year-old.
In addition, Sooraj Barjatya received recognition for Uunchai as the Best Director at the 70th National Film Awards. As they discussed it, Neena said, “I was even more thrilled when I came to know that Sooraj ji won the Best Director award. I have great respect for him. It was a dream come true when he called me and offered me a role.”
She feels that her life has completed a circle with Uunchai. “I used to try really hard to meet him some 30-35 years ago. I could never meet him. From there to now, it feels great. I’m very happy that he received the honour. He always told us that the film came straight from his heart and that he had been wanting to make a film about four friends for a long time,” she added.
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Credits – News 18
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