The photo is over four decades old!
Neena Gupta and Raghuvir Yadav, as the Pradhan couple in 'Panchayat', are undoubtedly the heart of the show. And their chemistry feels so effortless because of the genuine friendship they share off-screen. The two have been working together for decades now, and their comfort with each other shows in almost every frame. Every now and then, an old photo of them pops up on social media, where both can be seen as young, cheerful, and holding ice creams. Yadav, as always, looks adorably quirky, while Neena stuns with her charm. You’ve definitely come across this photo before, so I won’t go into the obvious. But have you ever wondered...where is it actually from? A film set? A casual day out? Well, on Neena Gupta’s birthday today, let’s uncover the story behind that viral snapshot.
The now-iconic image first re-emerged in 2020 when Neena Gupta herself posted it on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Jab Pradhan aur Pradhan Patni jawan thay.” Since then, it keeps doing the rounds, most recently after 'Panchayat' Season 4 dropped. Every time it surfaces, it sparks a new wave of curiosity.
Credit: neena_gupta
At first glance, some assumed it was from the sets of 'Mandi', the Shyam Benegal classic where both actors appeared. But that theory doesn’t really hold up, because the vibe of this photo implies otherwise.
So, where is it from?
Neither Neena Gupta nor Raghubir Yadav has ever officially confirmed where the photo was taken. But based on multiple reports and visual clues, it’s widely believed to be from a TV performance in the early 1980s (particularly 1982). Some even suggest it could’ve been a light-hearted musical or cultural program, typical of Doordarshan’s golden age.
In fact, Prime Video India once shared the photo as part of a “How it started vs. How it’s going” post, celebrating their Panchayat journey. That alone tells you how timeless this one frame has become.
The reason this photo resonates so deeply isn’t only because it looks vintage and lovely, but also because it captures two artists at the very start of a journey that would span over decades.
Neena and Raghubir go way back. Both are National School of Drama alumni and were part of the alternative cinema wave in the 1980s. They’ve worked together on and off over the years, bonded over plays, shared struggles, and built a friendship that’s as rooted in respect as it is in humor.
In interviews, Neena has often called Raghubir “brilliant” and “effortless.” He, in turn, speaks of her courage and honesty that have shaped her journey as an artist. Together, they’re comrades.
Their real-life rapport spills beautifully into their roles as Manju Devi and Brij Bhushan Dubey in 'Panchayat'. She is the sharp, no-nonsense village Pradhan; he is the overly involved husband who still wants to call the shots.
Credit: Prime Video India
That black-and-white photo is a symbol of how far they’ve come. From doing stage gigs and parallel cinema in the '80s to becoming the soul of a modern-day cult favorite like 'Panchayat', their journey is proof that talent (and friendship) gets only better with time. And maybe that’s why this photo keeps going viral.
Happy Birthday, Neena Ji!
