‘Kam se kam bata dena chahiye tha’: When Neena Gupta found out she was replaced from a movie through Instagram

Neena Gupta revealed how she discovered through Instagram that she had been replaced in a film role (Source: Instagram/Neena)

In the unpredictable world of show business, even seasoned actors face moments that test their emotional resilience. Veteran actor Neena Gupta recently shared one such moment on a talk show, recounting how she discovered she was replaced in a film through Instagram.

“So meri ek movie ke liye mujhe bulaya aur bola ‘karna hai, karna hai, you have to do, you have to do’. I said okay, okay,” she began. The makers had even started discussing dates and payment with her. But then, she continued, “Thode din ke baad maine dekha Instagram mein… ek meri umar ki actress unke office mein ja rahi hai.”

Her suspicions were confirmed when she discovered that the role had been given to someone else. “Pata chala ki meri jagah usko le liya hai,” she said. Neena didn’t hold back and decided to address the matter directly. “I wrote him a message. I said, ‘Kam se kam bata dena chahiye tha. Theek hai, aapka mind change ho gaya… You think wo actress better rahegi role ke liye.’”

To the filmmaker’s credit, he responded sincerely. “He said, ‘Sorry, maine galti ki. I should have told you.’ And now we are friends, aisa kuch nahi hai.”

But the emotional sting of being replaced, especially without communication, is hard to ignore. According to Srishti Vatsa, counselling psychologist, such moments require a balanced, emotionally intelligent response: “Acknowledging your shortcomings is important because it puts you in a growth mindset and helps you manage emotions when facing setbacks,” she says.

Rather than slipping into self-doubt or shame, Vatsa advocates for realistic self-assessment.

“It means being aware of your limitations without judging yourself. This self-awareness enables you to reassess your skills and potential realistically. You can focus on improvement rather than perfection.”

She adds that being open to help and collaboration is crucial during such phases.

“Accepting your weaknesses is not about failure but about developing resilience and a stronger sense of self.”

Neena’s calm confrontation, without burning bridges, offers a lesson in grace.