In a powerful and emotionally charged conversation, veteran actor Neena Gupta has laid bare the grim reality and systemic dangers faced by women in India, particularly when they dare to aspire for more through education and ambition. Speaking on YouTuber Lilly Singh's podcast, the 65-year-old's candid remarks have sparked a crucial dialogue about safety, victim-blaming, and the deep-seated societal failures that persist.
The Painful Paradox: Education and Ambition as Risks
Neena Gupta, visibly moved during the conversation on January 6, 2026, expressed a sentiment that resonates with countless women. "I feel it is a curse to be born a woman, especially a poor woman. The situation is so sad, I have goosebumps," she stated. She then highlighted a devastating paradox at the heart of efforts to empower women.
"They say educate women. If you educate them, they will want to do a job, and if they do a job, they are r*ped," Gupta said, articulating a pervasive fear. Her distress culminated in a statement of bleak resignation: "What I want is not possible. I want them to be safe, but it’s not possible… How can I say optimistic things, when I know the real situation?"
Expert Insight: The Psychological Toll of Systemic Barriers
Clinical psychologist Raashi Gurnani, in an analysis for indianexpress.com, affirmed that Gupta's words, while heartbreaking, reflect a tangible truth. "As a psychologist, I’ve seen how women, especially those from less privileged backgrounds, are made to feel unsafe simply for wanting a better life," Gurnani explained.
She elaborated that education, meant to be a pathway to freedom, often morphs into a significant risk. "When a woman wants to step out, work, and be independent, society punishes her for it. It’s almost like saying, ‘How dare you dream?’" This environment, Gurnani notes, erodes confidence, fosters constant anxiety, and makes the pursuit of basic dreams feel perilous.
How Poverty Intensifies the 'Curse' for Women
Gupta's specific mention of the plight of poor women underscores a critical intersection. Psychologist Raashi Gurnani emphasized that poverty dramatically worsens gender-based discrimination and violence. "If you’re poor and a woman, your chances of going to school, getting medical help, or even just being safe at home are far lower," she stated.
The consequences are a brutal cycle: higher risks of early marriage, neglect during health crises, and victim-blaming. Gurnani revealed that this relentless struggle strips women of hope and self-worth, leading to profound mental health impacts where many live in a state of normalized fear and helplessness.
Rebuilding Trust in Systems Meant for Protection
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Gupta's statement is the implied loss of faith in protective institutions. Gurnani addressed Gupta's lament about safety being impossible, calling it "the saddest part" as it signals a surrender to hopelessness.
However, Gurnani insists change is achievable. "This hopelessness isn’t permanent," she asserts. The path forward requires foundational shifts: teaching boys respect from a young age, holding perpetrators accountable, and crucially, stopping victim-blaming to start listening. She concludes that sustainable change must originate in homes, schools, and everyday conversations, rebuilding the trust that has been eroded.
