Soul survivor

NEENA GUPTA SAYS SHE'S ENJOYING THE BEST PHASE OF HER LIFE. SUMAN SHARMA CHATS WITH THE GUTSY ACTRESS

Neena Gupta is on a roll. After making the audience sit up and take notice of her histrionics in Panchayat Season 2, she wowed us again in the poignant drama Goodbye, where she was paired with Amitabh Bachchan. She worked with him again in her most recent release Uunchai, where she's paired with Boman Irani. The film, which is an ode to friendship, is making waves at the box office despite starring senior actors. Neena says she's feeling content in both professional and personal space currently and is raring to do more. Excerpts from a heart-to-heart interview with the talented actress.

Your role in Uunchai has been greatly appreciated.

People liked my role because it gives you hope and warm feelings. Masaba has not seen the film but my husband. liked it very much. He saw it in a theatre with lots of relatives, and they all liked the film very much. It gives you confidence, and obviously, you feel happy.

How was the experience working with Amitabh Bachchan and other actors?

I have done Goodbye with him earlier. It feels nice to work with such an exerienced actor. You learn a lot by just watching him act. It used to be great fun on the set. All of us used to sit and chat or play a game between shots. Sometimes Amit ji used to tell stories or poetry. Or he'd regale us with anecdotes about his father. The best thing was that there was no competition or ego. Sooraj ji is such a calm and nice person that there used to be no chaos on the set. It was a relaxed atmosphere. A tiffin would come from his home every day. I am a vegetarian, so I used to enjoy the home food.

Your equation with Boman Irani was quite good.