Neena Gupta reveals why she prefers working with younger actors: ‘Actors of my generation have so much ego’

In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, the 67-year-old actor said she finds working with younger artistes easier, while actors from her generation often come with “ego and insecurities”.

‘I get along so well with this younger generation’

Speaking to the daily, Gupta said, “I get along so well with this younger generation. Lagta hi nahi ki main inse bahut badi hoon (I don’t feel like I am much older than them). When I work with (actors of) my generation, bahut taqleef hoti hai (it is very difficult).”

She recalled an incident involving an actor from her generation and alleged that ego and insecurity can sometimes affect professional interactions on set.

“They have so much ego. Once during a shoot, this actor was standing behind me, and he thought he wasn’t visible (in the frame). So he pulled me back and took my spot. This is how it is. They have ego problems and insecurities,” she said.

Neena Gupta's Chumbak

Chumbak is an upcoming Hindi family comedy series on Netflix, created and directed by Aatish Kapadia and produced by Hats Off Productions.

The series revolves around five families living in Chumbak Colony, where neighbours are closely involved in each other’s lives and gradually become an extended family.

The show explores everyday relationships, marriages, friendships, parenting and neighbourhood dynamics with humour and warmth. Its central theme is a close-knit community where personal boundaries often blur, creating both comic situations and emotional moments.

Gupta plays Rajni Merchant

Gupta plays Rajni Merchant, whose relationship with her husband Kuku Merchant, played by Deven Bhojani, is marked by frequent arguments but also affection. Their equation forms one of the key comic elements of the series.

The ensemble cast includes Arjun Bijlani, Helly Shah, Sumeet Vyas, Manasi Parekh, Sumeet Raghavan, Sandeepa Dhar, Anant V. Joshi, Amyra Dastur, Delnaaz Irani and Atul Kumar.