Exclusive Interview of Actress Neha Gupta

1) Your item number ‘Daana Daana’ from south film ‘Namoor Haiklu’ became so popular that you were named the Daana Daana Girl of the industry. Anything you would like to say to your fans?

Even today people from south personally message me on Instagram about how they loved the song and my dance, I feel lucky be a part of such an amazing film which is not vulgar, it’s entertaining and enjoyable.

This movie is a bit serious movie but also has many entertaining moments, my song being a part of these moments.

When I went for the launch of this movie I could really see audience loving and appreciating me for my work.

It is said that there is culture in south that whenever people like a song or any moment on the silver screen, they start showering money towards the screen and start dancing in front of the screen.

So, during the launch when I experienced these moments for my song and I was extremely happy with the showers of love I received. So thank you for all the love.

2) How did you bag this item number?

Before this song came to me it had gone to many people and a very popular face was finalized for this song.

So, I thought maybe I lost this opportunity. But later the finalized actress suffered from an injury when the song was supposed to be shot, so eventually this song came to me and I became the Daana Daana girl of South. I feel blessed to be a part of such a successful film at the start of my career.

3) What preparations did you have to do for the item number? Any memory during the preparations that you would like share?

We had only 2 days to finish the shoot and dance was not my forte but I decided to not back down from this challenge and give it my best shot.

I asked for proper training and worked real hard for this song. There was one step where I had to be thrown up in the air and I had to roll three times in the air before landing.

So, after practicing it so many times, during the rehearsal this step was executed perfectly.

But during the main shoot I don’t know why this step became very difficult in coordination with everyone. We practiced and prepared real hard for this special dance and the rest is history.

4) Film ‘Namoor Haiklu’ got immense appreciation specially for the message it gave to the society, anything you would like to say on this topic?

The plot of this film revolves around all the problems related to the village life and all the issues that are faced by the people living in rural areas.

For example, like in the film a pregnant lady is not able to reach the hospital as it’s far away and also to reach the city hospital, there comes a river in between.

Due to the lack of facilities the lady and her child die while crossing this river. It was really a very emotional moment in the film where everyone cried.

Although many things have improved and facilities have been made available now in rural areas but the film shows how tough it was during earlier times.

Due to such an amazing concept film also received a lot of appreciations, acclamation and nominations.

5) How has your experience been in the south film industry and one major difference you find in Bollywood industry and South industry?

I haven’t completely set my foot in the Bollywood industry so I won’t be able to compare without knowing both the sides properly.

But from whatever experience I have I feel one major difference is emotional connection.

In south industry everyone connects with the film emotionally, it’s not just a job there. In Bollywood you see it is like a work and audience also appreciates it as a work, as the competition is very high in Bollywood.

South Industry has this culture of being connected. Both the makers and the audience understand as well as relate to the plot and message of the film equally.

Entire south audience makes the artist and everyone a part of the family, they have a feeling of pride that something is made by and from our culture.

In future, I would love to work in this South Industry because the love given there is unmatchable and I guess everyone worked in South Industry once will agree with me.

6) After being a part of superhit show Naagin 5, you are all set to debut on the OTT platform as the lead actress in a web series. How was your experience shooting for the web series?

Recently I have worked for a MX Player web series as a lead actress. My character is very simple and innocent and soon to be married to a guy with an opposite nature.

The best part while shooting for this series was meeting with senior artists who were a part of the Shaktiman series, they are playing the role of my parents.

Acting with them was such a great opportunity where on set everything came so naturally and in a flow, because they created such a realistic environment.

I learned a lot from them about acting and changes in the industry from past years. Director sir was also very helpful. The series season one will soon be announced.

7) Do you feel in recent times OTT platforms have garnered more love from the viewers and has replaced TV serials and Cinema to some extent?

Yes 100%, one positive thing that this pandemic gave all of us is the emergence of OTT platforms.

Due to these OTT platforms we are able to watch many artists which were long gone from the industry.

If there is a job availability how many people will you be able to interview and see, very less right.

But in the same way if the job is available in 10 different locations then you will be able to see and meet more people. This same has been happened with the emergence of OTT platforms.

Artist numbers have not increased but the platforms for them have increased due to which many people are getting various opportunities to be on screen.

We are able to see so many legendary artist on screen once again due to this. I feel OTT is here to stay, I won’t be able to say whether it will replace cinema or no but this platform is here to stay in the long run.

Talking about TV I would say it’s like salt. You can do experiments in cooking, make new dishes and all but salt is what remains always in any and every dish.

No matter what salt will be there, so in the same way TV serials will always be there. It cannot be replaced. Every Generation above teen in every household is watching TV serials even today.

8) If you get a chance to work for an OTT platform or for TV industry what would you select?

I would like to select a third option called audience. I am doing everything whether its movie, TV or OTT. From whichever platform I get love from my fans and audience I will be there in that platform.

9) After being a household name in the South Film industry you are all set to mark your territory now in the Bollywood, so can you tell us what’s next on your bucket list?

Personally I have not considered anything whether Tollywood or Bollywood or TV etc. different from the other. These are all platforms.

I won’t say I want to do this or that, no. I am an artist and personally I am a little sensitive for somethings and if I get these sensitive things early in my bucket list I will surely do it first.

And if no then still I won’t accept my defeat and sit, I will work hard and achieve all. Every artist has a personal zone which reflects their life so they choose accordingly.

They choose roles according to their thinking, comfort and how easily they feel they will be able to do justice to the role.

10) Due to the ongoing pandemic the entire Entertainment and Media industry has been affected, any such difficulties you have personally faced during this time?

This pandemic was un-expected for all. Everyone had certain things planned out professionally as well as personally and due to this pandemic and lockdown things came to a still.

All the tasks that used to keep one motivated had to be stopped, but I am sure things will get better and on track for all and all will be fine. We should never let go off the hope