Neha Dhupia is only weeks away from giving birth to her first baby, but there is no slowing down the feisty actress. She is busy shooting for her podcast #NoFilterNeha, and her TV show, Styled By Neha. After keeping her pregnancy hidden for six months, the actress is now showing off her baby bump walking the ramp, no less, and at various events. We caught up with the mommy-to-be to talk about her pregnancy, shows and more...
In the last trimester of your pregnancy, you seem to be more active than before...
Yes, I got the best advice from my mother when I told her I was pregnant. She said, ‘You are not sick, you are fit enough to give life. So don’t say I am not well and sit at home.’ I don’t want to be misquoted here, but there are women who prefer to stay at home during their pregnancy, which is good. There are women who decide to go to work every day when they are expecting and that’s also great. I fall in the latter category and I feel wonderful thinking today I’ll go on the sets of my style show, or that I will be doing my podcast or I will be researching. Yes, there are days when I feel bloated and think I can’t do things. Suddenly, in the middle of an interview, I think of food — such silly things happen, but I have got so much support from Angad (Bedi, actor-husband). If I am at home doing nothing, he asks whether I am okay. People worry when I don’t go to work (laughs).
Have you picked up any names for your baby?
No, we are not doing anything. We are not reading up — you won’t find a single parenting book at home. We are not going to any (pre-natal) classes, we are taking each day as it comes.
Every pregnant woman is asked if she wants a boy or girl. What is your wish?
I have seen polls being conducted on social media on whether I will have a boy or girl — 64 per cent, 36 per cent, 40 per cent — and it’s funny. Angad and I jokingly ask each other ‘what do you want?’ And Angad says he wants a gold medallist.
Angad and I are so inclined towards sports that we would love to see our child eventually represent the country in the Olympics squad. I always wanted to wear an India T-shirt and bring glory to the country but that dream remained unfulfilled. We are hoping our child is fit, healthy and disciplined to do that. Most importantly, I want a healthy and a happy kid, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a boy or a girl.
The third season of #NoFilterNeha is back. Will it be spicier than before?
Yes, for one thing, Karan (Johar) is back and you’ll be hearing a lot of things. Another highlight will be Angad and me in conversation. Apart from Karan, who himself is a great host and star, Angad made me nervous. I didn’t know where the wife began and the host ended and vice versa. There are a lot of revelations, Vicky Kaushal was amazing, Harbhajan (Singh) was at his wittiest, funniest best, Badshah opened up about his depression, Radhika Apte touched on the #MeToo Movement. Karan talked about how he guided us on making sure that our most important moments in Lust Stories were absolutely right if you know what I mean (laughs).
Did you make it easy for Angad?
No, it was the opposite. We do a lot of research to get the best out of a person. So, I called up all his friends to talk about his past and assured them it’s okay to tell me. But when I started hearing the stories, I was like, ‘No, stop!’
Since you talked about #MeToo Movement what is your take on it?
It needs a lot of strength to talk about it and there are really brave women out there. There are some bizarre stories too, and there are two sides to it. My heart goes out to not only the women who have suffered, but also to the accuser’s wife and daughter — what they must be going through or the son who has looked up to him all his life.
How did Styled By Neha come about?
Why? Are you surprised? (Smiles)
You are not known to be a fashionista, so it’s interesting...
Yes, my fashion sense has evolved. Initially, I used to try and ape others, especially successful people. If someone wore a gold sari to an awards show, I would drape one for the next event. I was a complete idiot when it came to fashion. Now, I dress for myself. People who have an opinion about it are entitled to it. I don’t put too much thought into it. I wear what makes me comfortable and that makes me confident. Earlier, people wouldn’t understand and used to joke that she dresses in drapes and bedsheets. But hey, I love my drapes! It was the channel which came to me with the idea of the fashion makeover show and it interested me.
What next?
Apart from my shows, the next big thing is my baby who is due next month. I have worked through my pregnancy in all shapes and sizes (laughs). When I was two months pregnant, I did Roadies, living in tents and off-roading. It doesn’t get better or worse than that. I shot for Helicopter Eela, my style show and now, I’m shooting for my podcast. In your head you have to be unstoppable then nothing can stop you.
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 "Neha Dhupia with husband Angad Bedi")
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