Latest news with #SachKahunToh
News18
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
When Neena Gupta Was Advised To Marry A Gay Man During Pregnancy With Masaba
Neena Gupta opened up in her memoir Sach Kahun Toh about the societal pressure she faced as a single mother in 1980s India. Neena Gupta has long been a symbol of fearless individuality, known not just for her nuanced performances but also for challenging the societal status quo. In her candid memoir Sach Kahun Toh, the veteran actress revisits a time in her life that was anything but conventional—when she chose to become a single mother in a deeply conservative India. Back in the late 1980s, Neena was expecting her daughter, Masaba Gupta, with West Indies cricket legend Vivian Richards. But in a society that frowned heavily on motherhood outside of marriage, her decision drew both admiration and criticism. Friends, well-wishers, and acquaintances came forward with all kinds of 'solutions"—including a proposal from a friend to marry a gay businessman to ward off controversy. 'I laughed them off," she wrote, adding, 'I didn't feel right about getting married just to avoid social stigma. I knew I'd have to answer difficult questions, but I was ready to face them." She recalled how being in the public eye meant there was no real way to avoid scrutiny. 'Our lives—mine and my child's—would always be up for speculation. But I told myself I'd cross that bridge when I came to it. Until then, I'd hide behind loose clothes for as long as I could," she shared. Years later, after the passing of her close friend and iconic actor Satish Kaushik in 2023, Neena revealed an emotional moment that had remained private until then. At a tribute event hosted by Anupam Kher, she recounted how Satish offered her support in the most unexpected way. 'When I was pregnant, I was crying, anxious, and unsure about the future. Satish came home and said, 'Nancy, don't worry. If your child is dark, I'll tell everyone it's mine.' That was the kind of friend he was," Neena said, her voice full of emotion. Despite the pressure, Neena stood her ground and raised Masaba as a single mother—unapologetic, resilient, and resolute. Today, Masaba is a celebrated fashion designer and entrepreneur, and Neena Gupta is widely admired not just for her work but for the life she has boldly lived on her own terms. In 2008, Neena found companionship and stability when she married chartered accountant Vivek Mehra in a quiet ceremony. But even today, her story of strength, defiance, and dignity continues to inspire generations of women to embrace their truth, no matter how unconventional it may seem. First Published:
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Neena Gupta Was Advised To "Marry A Gay" When She Was Pregnant With Masaba
New Delhi: Neena Gupta is known for defying societal norms and living life on her own terms. In her biography Sach Kahun Toh, Neena recounted her fascinating journey of being pregnant outside wedlock in India. When Neena was pregnant with Masaba, many of her friends suggested her to get married to avoid social stigma. Neena knew what she wanted to do. She wrote in her biography, Sach Kahun Toh, that her friend Sujoy Mitra advised her to marry a gay businessman. Reacting to his proposal, Neena said, "I laughed them off because I didn't feel right about getting married just to avoid controversy. I knew I would have to answer very difficult questions." "Being a public figure meant that our lives, mine and my child's, would always be up for speculation. But I told myself I would cross that bridge when I come to it. Until then, I would hide behind loose clothes for as long as I could," Neena Gupta recalled. After Satish Kaushik's death in 2023, Anupam Kher hosted a musical event in memory of his dear friend. Neena Gupta, who's a dear friend of the late actor, revealed at that prayer meet that Satish Kaushik gave her a marriage proposal. "When I was pregnant, I was very worried because my pregnancy was very messy. It was very controversial, so he came to my house. So, I was very worried and I was crying, I said, 'I didn't know what would happen next'. Satish said, 'Nancy, don't worry. If your child is dark, then I'll tell everyone it's mine'," Neena Gupta said. Neena Gupta was dating former West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards in the 1980s. She gave birth to her daughter Masaba Gupta in 1989 and raised her as a single mother. In 2008, Neena got married to Vivek Mehra in a private ceremony.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘It came as a relief when..': Neena Gupta on breaking her pregnancy news to Vivian Richards
Neena Gupta is one of the strongest examples of a single mother who successfully raised her daughter — fashion designer Masaba Gupta — amidst societal hate and judgment. In her autobiography, Sach Kahun Toh, she recalled being 'giddy with joy' after discovering her pregnancy. However, she thought it essential to consult the father of her unborn child, Vivian Richards, an internationally renowned cricketer. 'I understood that I wasn't the only person who had a say in the situation. The baby's father, Vivian, had an equal right. So, I called him one day and spoke to him for a long time,' she wrote in her book. ''I'm pregnant, ' I told him. 'Would you have a problem if I were to have your baby?' Vivian sounded happy and said I should go ahead,' the Badhaai Do actor added. For her, this assurance was necessary. 'As much as I wanted this child, I also did not want to go ahead if the father wasn't on board. So, it came as a relief when Vivian supported my decision,' she continued. A post shared by Neena Gupta (@neena_gupta) Rima Bhandekar, Psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, told that the tone for a parenting journey is set by the support of a partner during pregnancy since the bond between parents and child starts even before childbirth. 'When the partner shows emotional participation in small things such as showing up for doctor's appointments, talking or playing music for the baby, or simply filling a pregnancy journal together, it helps build deeper connections and become cherished memories for both parents,' she explained. The anxiety experienced by a mother during pregnancy can increase cortisol levels, and if those levels are too high, they may interfere with fetal brain development. According to her, these small loving gestures by the partner help calm the mother's nerves, provide comfort, and increase feelings of togetherness. Bhandekar said that the partner does not need to be ready with all the solutions to pregnancy issues, or read every baby book ever written to provide support — but show their emotional presence by asking her how she's really feeling, normalizing her moods, making time for laughter, and saying comforting words. By being involved in a child's life from day one, the partner steps into the role as a parent and becomes more confident when the baby shows up,' she said. Pregnancy is the start of a new life, and the more love and support a partner shows to the mother, the safer, more loved, and emotionally secure she will feel.
NDTV
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Neena Gupta Says She Continued Her Affair With Vivian Richards For "A Few Years" After Masaba's Birth: "He Was As Involved As Possible"
New Delhi: In 1989, actor Neena Gupta made headlines when she chose to have a child outside of marriage with West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards. In her autobiography Sach Kahun Toh, Neena opened up about the decision and how it changed her life. She recalled feeling "giddy with joy" when she first found out about her pregnancy, but also felt it was important to inform Vivian. At the time, he had already returned home. After a long phone call, Neena shared that Vivian supported her decision to have the baby, which gave her the confidence to go ahead. Neena first met Vivian at a dinner party hosted by the Maharani of Jaipur, shortly after watching him play. They connected instantly but lost touch when he returned home, as they hadn't exchanged contact details. They met again at the Delhi airport and soon began a relationship. When she found out she was pregnant, Neena received mixed advice from those around her. Some suggested "abortion", while others warned about the challenges of single motherhood. But after considering everything, she decided to continue with the pregnancy. She said, "Vivian and I had an affair, and I got pregnant. Some people advised me to get an abortion. Others cautioned against the perils of being a single parent. I listened to everyone patiently. They were all very concerned, I know. But once I was back home and alone, I asked myself: What do you think? How does this make you feel? The answer was: I was giddy with joy." She continued, "I also understood that I wasn't the only person who had a say in the situation. The baby's father, Vivian, had an equal right. So, I called him one day and spoke to him for a long tome," she wrote and added, "'I'm pregnant', I told him. 'Would you have a problem if I were to have your baby?' Vivian sounded happy and said I should go ahead. This assured me that I was doing the right thing. As much as I wanted this child, I also did not want to go ahead if the father wasn't on board. So, it came as a relief when Vivian supported my decision." She said Vivian was "as involved as possible" after Masaba's birth. Their relationship continued for a few years, going through different phases. At the time, Vivian was already married, and their long-distance relationship had its ups and downs. "Our relationship continued on and off for a few years and we had some beautiful moments and also some ugly ones. It was long distance and a very different kind of relationship," she concluded. Neena raised Masaba as a single mother. Years later, she got married at 59 to Vivek Mehra, a chartered accountant.
News18
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Neena Gupta On Having Masaba After Affair With Vivian Richards: 'Some Suggested Abortion'
Last Updated: In her book, Neena Gupta said she met Vivian Richards at a dinner and started an affair. In 1989, when Neena Gupta found out she was expecting a child, she was overjoyed — but she also knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. Choosing to have the baby as a single woman was a courageous decision, made more complex by the fact that the father was West Indies cricket legend Vivian Richards, and they weren't married. In her memoir Sach Kahun Toh, Neena recounted feeling an initial rush of happiness upon learning she was pregnant. Still, she wanted to talk to Vivian before making a final decision. When he said he supported her, she felt relieved. In her book, Neena Gupta said she met Vivian Richards at a dinner after watching him play cricket. They got along quickly but lost contact. Later, they met again at Delhi airport and started seeing each other. Neena became pregnant after Vivian had returned home. 'Vivian and I had an affair and I got pregnant. He had already returned home when I found out," she wrote. She continued, 'Some people advised me to get an abortion. Others cautioned against the perils of being a single parent. I listened to everyone patiently. They were all very concerned, I know. But once I was back home and alone, I asked myself: What do you think? How does this make you feel? The answer was: I was giddy with joy," she wrote. She thought about it quietly and realised she was truly happy about the pregnancy. She asked Vivian if he had a problem with her having his baby. 'I also understood that I wasn't the only person who had a say in the situation. The baby's father, Vivian, had an equal right. So, I called him one day and spoke to him for a long time. 'I'm pregnant', I told him. 'Would you have a problem if I were to have your baby?' Vivian sounded happy and said I should go ahead. This assured me that I was doing the right thing. As much as I wanted this child, I also did not want to go ahead if the father wasn't on board. So, it came as a relief when Vivian supported my decision." After Masaba was born, Vivian Richards stayed as involved as he could. He was married, and because they lived in different countries, their relationship was not easy and changed over time. 'Our relationship continued on and off for a few years and we had some beautiful moments and also some ugly ones. It was long distance and a very different kind of relationship," she wrote. Masaba Gupta shares a close relationship with her father, Vivian Richards. First Published:
