Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta open up on love, friendship, and self-discovery through the years

Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta, two of India’s most seasoned actors, reunite in Anurag Basu’s upcoming film Metro…In Dino, a spiritual sequel to Life in a… Metro. This time, they play long-lost college batchmates whose love never bloomed during their youth but gets a second chance at a reunion.

Their real-life journey is just as layered. Both are alumni of the National School of Drama (NSD) and have decades of theatre and film experience between them. In a candid conversation, they opened up about love, friendship, Mumbai, and what age has taught them.

Their bond dates back to the late 1970s when Anupam first noticed Neena at the NSD hostel. Neena jokes that she doesn’t remember the moment, and Anupam admits he wasn’t someone people noticed easily. But what grew from that time was a deep mutual respect, built further through stage performances and shared screen time in projects like Uunchai, Shiv Shastri Balboa, and now Metro…In Dino.

Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta reflect on real love beyond romantic clichés

When the topic of love came up, Neena Gupta admitted she has never truly fallen in love in the traditional sense. For her, the only true love she’s experienced is the one she has for her daughter, Masaba. “Maybe I’m too practical to fall in love,” she said honestly.

Anupam offered a more layered view. “Love is an extension of loving yourself,” he reflected. He shared that while he’s had relationships, they often started beautifully but ended with pain. He believes love, as seen in films like Aashiqui, is difficult to sustain in practical life.

Anupam’s own marriage with actor-politician Kirron Kher has transitioned into a long-distance one, but he speaks of it with clarity and calm. “Love needs understanding and acceptance,” he said, adding that while fairy-tale love feels intense, life often takes people through more grounded paths of companionship.

Neena also noted the deep, platonic affection she’s received from friends. She remembered how late actor Satish Kaushik had once offered to marry her during her pregnancy with Masaba, just to protect her from social stigma. That, she said, is love too but of a different kind.

Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta share how Mumbai shaped them  and continues to hold them

Both actors hold a deep bond with Mumbai, a city they say gives endlessly but also takes a lot in return. Neena recalls the first time she smelled the sea and felt like she’d arrived somewhere meaningful. Now, that same scent reminds her of things she lost.

Anupam, who recently marked 44 years of living in Mumbai, called it “intoxicating” and “bindaas.” He said that the city embraces everyone no matter where they come from. It’s chaotic yet giving, and both actors agree: if you’ve lived in Mumbai long enough, it becomes impossible to live anywhere else.

Neena shared an endearing story about her electrician, Motilal, who often refuses to take money from her. “That is love too,” she smiled. In these small moments, the city shows its generosity and spirit.

A second act filled with courage and creativity

Anupam Kher is now directing Tanvi The Great, returning to the director’s chair after 23 years. For him, the urge to tell a story with sincerity brought him back to the role. Neena, on the other hand, directed the TV show Saans in the late 1990s when she wanted better roles for herself. Today, with a successful acting career flourishing, she says she’s content staying where she is.

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Both actors agree that this phase of life is not about slowing down but rather about rediscovery. “Age is just a number,” said Anupam. “We’re proving that there’s so much more to do, and to love.”

Conclusion:

Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta are not just veterans  they are storytellers of a generation. Their honesty, their friendship, and their fearless approach to life continue to inspire. In Metro…In Dino, and beyond, they remind us that second chances, emotional depth, and self-love matter more than ever.