Neena Gupta won her 3rd National Award for best supporting actress in Uunchai, 'Kabhi na kabhi to milega'

Neena Gupta has been honoured with the National Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Shabina Siddiqui in the 2022 film Uunchai. This marks her third National Award, announced during the 70th National Film Awards on August 16, 2024. After 30 years, Gupta's talent is once again recognised.

On following her win, Gupta shared her thoughts on receiving awards. "Har aadmi greedy hota hai awards ke liye. Jab nahi milta to dukh hota hai thodi der ke liye, uske baad main bhool jaati hun aur sochti hu ki kaam karte raho, kabhi na kabhi to milega. Appreciation se, aur jab aapko award milta hai, bohot acha lagta hai." She expressed how it's natural to feel disappointed when you don't receive recognition, but it's important to stay focused and keep working hard, believing that appreciation will come eventually.

Gupta's journey with the National Awards began in 1993 when she won her first award for Bazar Sitaram, earning the National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director. She received her second award in 1994 for her role in Woh Chokri, where she also won Best Supporting Actress.

Reflecting on her recent achievement, Gupta explained the motivation behind her relentless work. "What do you work for? You work for people to appreciate you, otherwise why would you work so much. I don't want to do a play in my drawing room; I want more and more people to see me and appreciate me. This award makes me feel good that 'ok, keep on working hard, if not today then tomorrow you will get the fruit'. It keeps on encouraging me to keep on doing good work."

Unlike many actors who dedicate their awards to various people, Gupta chose to dedicate this win to herself. She said, "Every work is fickle these days. There is a lot of competition, there are a lot of hurdles, and you feel dejected sometimes. Sometimes your film is not released, and you feel very frustrated and sad, so what you have to do is tell yourself that 'ok forget it. I will keep on doing my work. Someday, somebody will recognise it.'"

Gupta, an alumna of the National School of Drama, shared a lesson from her student days that continues to inspire her: "Humare NSD mein ek play karte the usme ek dialogue tha 'har kisi ko apne daant ka dard khud hi sehna padta hai'. Dusra bas baith sakta hai aapke saath but you have to bear the pain." This resilience, she believes, has been key to her success.