Veteran actor Neena Gupta recently opened up about her tumultuous journey of finding a home in Mumbai during the 1980s and 1990s. Speaking on an episode of the YouTube channel ‘Housing.com’, the acclaimed actor revealed how financial challenges and unexpected events shaped her life in the city.
Having moved to Mumbai from Delhi in the early 1980s, Neena took an unconventional approach to homeownership. She avoided renting properties, opting instead to sell her apartments, add funds, and reinvest in better homes. However, this strategy occasionally left her in precarious situations.
During one such transition, Neena sold her apartment and invested the proceeds in a three-bedroom flat in a new project. With her finances tied up, she temporarily moved in with her aunt and uncle. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “I thought I could stay there as I spent most of my time at their place anyway. My aunt even helped take care of Masaba, who was little then.”
However, things took an unexpected turn when her aunt abruptly asked her to leave one night. “She kicked me out in the middle of the night. I had no money and nowhere to go with my baby,” Neena shared.
Fortunately, her uncle had a change of heart and arranged for her to stay in an old, unoccupied flat in Juhu. “The house had been shut for 20 years. It was covered in cobwebs and looked rusty. I cleaned the place with my baby, but soon, I was asked to leave that house as well,” she recounted.
Desperate, Neena approached the builder of her new home, explaining her dire situation and requesting a refund. In a gesture of kindness, he returned her money without deductions, allowing her to buy a ready-to-move-in house in Aram Nagar. Neena and her daughter Masaba finally found stability there.
A Glimpse into Neena’s Personal Life
Neena Gupta’s personal life has also been marked by resilience. In the 1980s, she was in a relationship with cricketer Vivian Richards, with whom she had her daughter, Masaba. Raising Masaba as a single mother, Neena faced societal challenges head-on. In 2008, she married Vivek Mehra in a private ceremony, finding a new chapter of happiness.
Neena’s journey is a testament to her strength and determination, both on-screen and off.