Sayani Gupta Opens Up About Mother's Extreme Opposition to Acting Career
In a candid revelation, actor Sayani Gupta has shared the intense resistance she faced from her mother when pursuing her dream of becoming an actor. The Article 15 and Four More Shots Please star disclosed that her mother went to extreme lengths to dissuade her, including making threats and locking her in her room.
Mother's Drastic Threats and Beliefs About Actors
Sayani Gupta recalled that her mother, who raised her single-handedly, was horrified when she decided to quit her high-paying corporate job at age 21 to pursue acting. "My mom said, 'I am going to slit my wrist if you go and she couldn't believe it'," the actor revealed during a conversation on Cyrus Says.
The opposition went beyond mere disapproval. Sayani shared that her mother held deeply negative views about the acting profession, often referring to actors as "prostitutes". This belief was so ingrained that it shaped her parenting approach throughout Sayani's childhood.
Years of Restriction and Eventual Acceptance
"All my life, growing up, she didn't let me go for theatre rehearsals and locked me in my room saying actors are prostitutes. That was the idea of actors that she had," Sayani explained. The situation became particularly tense when she gained admission to the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.
Her mother's reaction was so severe that she refused to speak to Sayani for an entire month after learning about her FTII admission. While Sayani's father was supportive, her mother remained the primary decision-maker in the family, making her opposition particularly challenging to overcome.
The Turning Point at FTII
The breakthrough came when Sayani's mother visited her at FTII. Witnessing the campus environment and seeing her daughter's dedication began to change her perspective. "She eventually came around when she visited me at FTII and got offers to star in 5 student films within a few minutes as there was a dearth of older actors on campus," Sayani recalled.
After accepting three of those parts and watching her daughter perform, her mother finally softened her stance. She told Sayani, "Maybe if you have to do this for the next 2 years, it's not so bad also." This marked a significant shift from her previous extreme opposition.
From Corporate Success to Acting Passion
Sayani Gupta had achieved considerable corporate success at a young age, describing herself as a workaholic who made substantial money. However, she found herself unfulfilled. "I was bored out of my skull those one and a half years. I made a lot of money because I was a workaholic but this is not what I saw for myself," she confessed about her corporate career.
Despite the familial challenges, Sayani persisted with her acting ambitions. She has since built a successful career spanning over a decade, with notable performances in films including:
- Jolly LLB 2
- Pagglait
- Article 15
- Axone
Future Projects and Industry Insights
In the same interview, Sayani Gupta hinted at potential future developments for her popular series Four More Shots Please. She suggested that after the fourth season, the creators might consider making a film adaptation, similar to how Mirzapur is transitioning to the big screen after three seasons.
However, she noted that such plans would depend on the performance and reception of the Mirzapur film adaptation, indicating how industry trends influence creative decisions.
Sayani Gupta's journey from corporate professional to acclaimed actor, despite facing extreme familial opposition, serves as a testament to following one's passion against all odds. Her story highlights the changing perceptions of acting as a profession in India and the personal sacrifices many artists make to pursue their dreams.
