From ‘Badhaai Ho’ to ‘Panchayat’, Neena Gupta proves she’s only getting better with time.
She’s graced both art-house gems and big-screen blockbusters — and today, the radiant Neena Gupta turns 66, not that anyone could guess her age! With her fearless choices and natural charm, she’s shown remarkable range over the years. An alumna of the National School of Drama, she has long proven her calibre in both parallel and mainstream cinema. But what makes her journey truly remarkable is the stunning success she has achieved in the second chapter of her career — a feat only a rare few manage. On her birthday, let’s celebrate Neena Gupta by revisiting some of her most powerful performances in recent years.
Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, the comedy-drama ‘Badhaai Ho’ features Ayushmann Khurrana and Neena Gupta in lead roles, alongside Gajraj Rao, Surekha Sikri, Shardul Rana, and Sanya Malhotra in key supporting parts. The film was both a critical and commercial success — but what truly stole the spotlight was Neena Gupta’s standout performance. Playing the role of a middle-aged woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she not only won hearts but also bagged the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress and earned a nomination for Best Actress at the Filmfare Awards. The role marked a major turning point in her career, bringing her firmly back into the limelight.
Chef Vikas Khanna’s debut feature film ‘The Last Color’ shines a light on the long-standing taboo surrounding widows in Vrindavan and Varanasi. In this poignant story, Neena Gupta portrays Noor, a widow living in a Varanasi ashram, whose unlikely bond with a spirited young street performer named Chhoti becomes the heart of the film. Their friendship beautifully underscores the message that compassion and humanity can rise above even the most rigid social barriers. Thought-provoking and emotionally rich, ‘The Last Color’ is a must-watch for lovers of ethical cinema — and yet another recent gem in Neena Gupta’s acclaimed filmography.
Credit: India Today
‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’, directed by Hitesh Kewalya, is a romantic comedy and a spiritual successor to ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’. The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar in the lead, with Gajraj Rao, Neena Gupta, Pankhuri Awasthy, Maanvi Gagroo, and Manu Rishi in supporting roles. The film follows a gay couple trying to win over a traditional Indian family. Neena Gupta plays Sunaina Tripathi, a conservative mother caught between her love for her son and the pressures of society. With her natural charm and comic timing, Neena brings both heart and humor to the role.
No list of Neena Gupta’s best performances is complete without ‘Panchayat’. Created by The Viral Fever, this comedy-drama web series features Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Chandan Roy, Faisal Malik, and Sanvikaa in key roles. Neena shines as Manju Devi — the village Pradhan who’s also a homemaker — bringing quiet strength and subtle humor to the screen. The show has become a fan-favorite, running successfully across four seasons from 2020 to 2025, and Neena’s role remains one of its most memorable highlights.
‘Panga’, a sports drama directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, stars Kangana Ranaut in the lead alongside Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta, and Richa Chadha in key roles. The film was even named one of the best Bollywood movies of all time by magazine Marie Claire. Neena Gupta plays the role of Kangana’s mother — a brief but impactful part. Reflecting on her character, Gupta once shared, “I have a very small role but whatever it is, it’s very nice. I have a distinct colour to my character. I play Kangana’s mother but I make a difference.”
