The 2018 movie Badhaai Ho turned the fortunes of two neglected actors - Neena Gupta and Gajraj Rao. Both have expressed their undying gratitude to Badhaai Ho director Amit Sharma. Neena even told me she might have quit acting if Badhaai Ho hadn’t come along.
Reacting to this Amit Sharma says, “It is very kind of Neena ji and Gajraj ji. But it’s their own talent, hard work and their good fortune that they’ve come to this belated stardom. Neena ji’s career is now rocking. She is so much in demand that she has to turn down roles. Gajraj ji tells me his life and career have changed completely. Not just Gajraj ji but also his wife and children are enjoying his success.”
Amit Sharma has also signed Neena Gupta for his next, co-starring Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan. In fact, he promises to cast Neena Gupta and Gajraj Rao in all his films. “Gajraj ji has a solid part in my Maidaan (featuring Ajay Devgan). There was no role for Neena ji in Maidaan. But she is definitely a part of my next film The Intern with Amit ji.”
Amit shares Gajraj Rao’s excitement at being papped. “The other day he called to excitedly tell me he was in a showroom when he heard shouts of ‘Gajraj Sir’ behind him. When he turned around it was the paparazzi wanting to take his pictures. Gajraj ji said he had never thought in his wildest dream he would one day be chased by the paps.”
Badhaai Ho also featured Ayushmann Khurrana, Sanya Malhotra and late Surekha Sirki in pivotal roles.
Image source: Instagram/iamitrsharma/neena_gupta, SpotboyE archives