PLAYING FOR KEEPS

NEENA GUPTA IS ENJOYING HER SECOND INNINGS. TANISHA BHATTACHARYA CHATS WITH HER ABOUT THE NEW PHASE

- TANISHA BHATTACHARYA

What are your biggest takeaways from your second inning? Are there things you don’t think of anymore?

(Laughs) I don’t think about money so much anymore because I do have some now. I had to do everything for money earlier. So it’s a big relief that I don’t have to do any movies or roles just to run my house. I can afford to say no to a few projects. Earlier, I didn’t have this option. It is relaxing now that way. The mind is more at peace, helping me concentrate to bring my best to the screen.

What advice would you give to your younger self today?

I would say to focus on whatever work you want to do. Focus on yourself first. Don’t focus on men. Because women have this tendency, their main focus becomes men. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old. But men are not like that. They’re quite the opposite. In fact, the focus of a man is always his work. I also suffered because my focus changed. I was lonely with no work in Mumbai, so I wanted to be with somebody, and that changed the whole trajectory of my life. So I want to give this advice: It’s okay to be alone; watch a movie alone, but don’t hamper your work because you feel lonely. Invest in yourself first, then in a man and a relationship.

Youngsters always look up to you because you come across as a broadminded individual. Is this the kind of relationship you have with Masaba?

No, I tell her that at my level of experience, I can do certain things, but she can’t. So I tell her to be quiet. I told her