Neena Gupta is known for a number of movies – right from ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron’, ‘Mandi’ to movies like ‘Badhaai Ho’ and ‘Uunchai’ in recent times. But Neena doesn’t feel shy to ask for work even now. The actress admits that she approaches the producer or director if she gets to know a film is announced even through social media. Neena who is gearing up for her next, ‘Metro…In Dino’ with Anupam Kher has revealed that these days one gets to know that they are replaced in a film through Instagram. She also recalled an old film where she was suddenly replaced. Neena also spoke about the difference in the way male actors still get roles as heroes, as opposed to female actors of her age who get ‘dadi’ roles.Neena said duirng a chat with Nayandeep Rakshit, “Men of my age or even older continue to play heroes on the big screen, but I am considered for a grandmother also at times. Men have more character roles, and we don’t. I know other actresses who are friends, and they still don’t have any work.”She added, “I still message and reach out to people for work. If I see on Instagram that a film has been announced or I see an actor visiting a producer’s office, then I call my manager and get the director’s number and send a message asking if there is anything for me. You need to do that, no matter how big a star you are.”Neena recalled that recently she saw a paparazzi video of another actress of her age on Instagram visiting a producer’s office and that’s how she got to know she was replaced. Gupta said, “There have been times when people sign you and then replace you. Recently, I was called for a film and they said you have to do it. I said okay. They were discussing the money and dates, but a few days later, I saw on Instagram that an actress of my age is going to their office. I asked my manager to find out and learned that she was signed in my place. Instagram is not stupid; sometimes it’s very useful. Then I wrote a message to that producer saying that they should at least inform if they changed their mind. He realised his mistake, and said sorry. Now, we are doing a film together soon.”Recalling an earlier time, she said, “Once, in an older film of mine with Amitabh Bachchan, my blouses were stitched, the costume was ready, and they went ahead and took Tanuja for that role. Then I got to know I was no longer in that film. But one should not feel bad and bitter about it, just move on.”While Neena didn’t name the film, Tanuja and Amitabh Bachchan had starred together in a film called ‘Pyaar Ki Kahani’ in 1971. Other films which starred Amitabh Bachchan and Tanuja both, included Yaarana and Khuddar
