Neena Gupta gives it back to those mocking her for speaking in Hindi: ‘Khabardar Hindi-medium bola toh’

Veteran actor Neena Gupta, who often shares videos of herself speaking in Hindi, posted a new one as she slammed those who criticise her. She said she has been mocked for speaking in her mother tongue, and called ‘Hindi-medium’. Neena took to Instagram Reels on Wednesday to share a video of herself sitting in front of picturesque mountain view as she schooled people for using terms like ‘Hindi-medium’ and ‘TV actor’ for her. Also read: Neena Gupta is ‘envious’ of Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt’s Met Gala and Deepika’s Oscar appearances

She said in the video, “Mujhe ek baat kehni hai jo mujhe yaad ayi aur main bade din se kehna chah rahi thi… hamare desh mein na kuch terms hoti hai, jaise ‘Arrey yeh toh TV actor hai’. Ek term hota hai ‘yeh toh Hindi-medium hai’, aur ek term hoti hai ‘Arrey haath se kha rahi hai, chee! Churi-kaate se nahi kha rahi hai’ (I have been wanting to say something for a few days. In India, we hear some terms like ‘TV actor’ or ‘Hindi-medium’. Sometimes people also mock you for eating with your hands instead of using knife and fork).”

Neena continued, “Toh mere ko bohut bar boltein hain ‘Hindi-medium hai’ kyunki main achi Hindi bolti hoon, kyunki yeh meri matra bhasha hai. Toh main yeh kehna chaah rahi hoon ki isme hume kabhi sharam nahi karni chahiye (Many people call me ‘Hindi-medium’ because I speak well in Hindi as it is my mother tongue. I want to say, we should not be ashamed of speaking in Hindi).”

The veteran actor added she was proud of herself, and happy with how she spoke, dressed or ate food. “I am proud to be ‘Hindi-medium’. I am proud to eat and dress up the way I want to. And I am proud to be called a TV actor. Hum kayin baar gussa ho jate hai ki hume ‘Hindi-medium’ kaha, ya apne aap ko neecha samajhne lag jate hai. Nahi samajhna (Sometimes we get angry or look down upon ourselves, when people mock us for speaking in Hindi. Don’t do that to yourself). I am proud to be what I am, if I feel from inside that I am doing the right thing. Am I right?”

Reacting to her video, a fan commented, “Yes absolutely. I don’t understand these stars, who want their children to act in Hindi films but always speak to them in English at home. Why would they do that? You live in India, you want them to act in Hindi films, why would you not teach them the language?” One more said, “Spanish talk in their language, Italians in Italian, French in French. Then why can’t Indians talk in Hindi?”

Neena often speaks her mind in her social media posts and in interviews. In a recent interview, she had opened up about feeling ‘envy’ after seeing Priyanka Chopra and Alia Bhatt at Met Gala 2023, as well as Deepika Padukone at Oscars 2023. Neena had said in a recent interview with News18 that she wished she was a young actor today. “I wish we also had the same kind of exposure. I think about it every passing minute. I feel envious every second (smiles). I wonder what if I was a young actor in this day and age! I could have achieved so much more. Having said that, I know that you can’t have everything that you wish for. I definitely do feel thankful for all the work that’s coming my way even at this age. But yes, I feel very, very jealous when I look at them wearing gowns and walking [on the global stage],” Neena said.

Neena was last seen in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. Neena’s upcoming films include Vishal Bhardwaj’s web series Charlie Chopra and The Mystery Of Solang Valley, R Balki’s short in Lust Stories 2, Anurag Basu’s Metro In Dino, romantic comedy Pachhattar Ka Chhora, Baa, Ishq-E-Nadaan and Sabun with Jackie Shroff.