Neena Gupta: Marriage 'out of compulsion,' not love

Neena Gupta recently disclosed that her marriage to chartered accountant Vivek Mehra was an act of "compulsion." Speaking in an interview, the acclaimed actress admitted that personal survival within societal norms influenced her decision. She explained that marriage offered a way to resolve the judgment and scrutiny she faced as a single mother.

Gupta, who raised daughter Masaba Gupta largely alone after her relationship with Vivian Richards, experienced significant social isolation in the 1980s and 1990s. Her marriage in 2008, she stated, provided a crucial sense of societal acceptance that she acquired "the hard way."

She further elaborated on her understanding of love, stating it's primarily for her child, and she doesn't comprehend other forms of romantic love. This candidness underscores her pragmatic approach to navigating life's complexities and societal expectations.

Gupta has maintained a dynamic career, marked by acclaimed performances and a recent resurgence with 'Badhaai Ho.' She continues to choose diverse roles in films and streaming projects, demonstrating enduring relevance and artistic choice.