Esha Gupta– the word is synonym with strength and empowerment. She is a calm soul with a positive aspiration to lead a dynamic yet peaceful life. Being the epitome of confidence (you must visit her Instagram page to see how she caries her confidence in her shoots), she is not afraid to speak her mind and never lets her composure get affected by the opinions of others! A woman of stature who believes in following her passion. After winning the Miss India International 2007 title, she played lead roles numerous commercially successful movies. Here is an exclusive interview with actress and model Esha, a befitting face for our March Edition, dedicated to women power.
What is your definition of a successful woman?
For me, a woman who is happy, peaceful and independent in making her life choices is a successful woman.
What is the significance of International Women’s Day in your life? Or what is women empowerment to you?
Throughout the history of the world, women were the ones who had to sacrifice more. They were judged, ill-treated, and didn’t get the recognition they deserved on time. We had to keep doing more to prove our worth constantly. Women’s day is that recognition, now that we are seen, heard, and respected in this world. Woman empowerment is being able to make your own decision without being judged. Whether you want to be a stay-at-home-mom or focus only on your career, it should be your decision, not society’s pressure. Woman empowerment is having your family and spouse stand with you because we matter and our dreams are as worthy as anyone else’s.
How would you describe a typical day in your life? (When you are not shooting).
I wake up and love to do my Yoga in the morning. I usually don’t have breakfast and prefer a nice cup of tea. Then I’ll read the world news. If I’m in Mumbai, where I stay alone, I will start preparing my lunch, but if I’m in Delhi at my parent’s house, I barely cook. I’ll do my HIIT or weights training in the evening, then watch something or maybe go for a walk before dinner. In Delhi, I will take my dogs for a walk. In Mumbai, I do more Pilates and dance classes as well. I love being alone or just staying at home, as I don’t get bored by myself and honestly love my own company. I don’t meet friends or go out often.
What is your secret behind carrying your attire with such grace and confidence?
Well, thank you for your kind words. I think grace was inherited from my mother, but over time I’ve understood it myself as well by realising the charm of elegance. Even while wearing something sexy, I love for it to be simple and classy. Confidence is something that takes years of selfacceptance and learning to love your own skin.
Tell us about your upcoming projects (in the making).
I have just finished shooting with Prakash Jha sir for the Aashram series, which is not the kind of role or genre I’ve explored until now. Followed by this, I’m starting a family comedy film with the most amazing star cast in March and a psychological thriller film. It’s an exciting time since I’ll be doing all kinds of diverse cinema and roles. Which is your personal favourite character that you have played? And a role played by another celebrity which you admire? My personal favourites are Preeti Makhija from Rustom and Vicky Chadha from Commando 2. One of my favourite classic films is ‘Gone with the Wind’. I loved Scarlett O’Hara, played by Vivien Leigh. The way her character grows in the graph is a dream role of a lifetime.
Do you enjoy working more for OTT platforms or the big screens?
I can’t compare because both are cinemas to me, but OTT definitely has more vast scope for actors, directors and writers to work and not get stagnant while having a more extensive reach plus options.
What are your future aspirations regarding your personal and professional life?
Professionally, I’ve not decided my limit yet, and a lot is left undone. Personally, I want to work on myself to be a better human being, a more peaceful and happier individual who people are proud to have in their life. I’ve made a few mistakes, and I hope to learn from them. I wish to enjoy a simple life encompassed with simple things, like having tea with my family around or just hugging my dogs.
How do you deal with any stereotypes addressed about you?
Well, the Esha you are asking this question to now is someone who doesn’t even blink at any opinion from someone who doesn’t affect her life. It has taken a lot of time for me to reach here, and I’m exceedingly delighted with not caring what anyone thinks about me other than my people.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self ?
Ah, the 16 year old me was naive, who had fun and enjoyed her childhood. I would just advise her to cherish every moment because everything is either a lesson or a blessing, and you have your whole life ahead of you.
How has the film industry influenced your personal progression?
From studying Law to becoming an actor, I don’t think I can complain. It’s been an unexpectedly mesmerising & challenging journey. I believe it’s not the film industry but any work, in general, that would make one progress. In my case, I was always a private person and loved nothing more than keeping my life like that. People only know about me, what I show them, rest they can speculate or imagine, and I’m perfectly happy with that.
Apart from your career, what else is on top of your priority list?
Being a good person, taking care of my own happiness and my loved ones’. When I’m gone, I want to be remembered as someone who was kind.
How do you find the motivation to keep going during your hard days?
There is no other option. I come from a middle-class family. My father was in the air force, so we were taught never to give up. We have had to work hard to achieve all we have today; nothing was handed out, and nothing was easy. Nonetheless, I’ve always had great family support, but I also know I have nothing and no one to fall back on or blame for my failure, so all I can do is keep going strong and pray.
Top life lessons you have learnt.
â—— Your legacy isn’t the money you leave behind but the person you are and your achievements.
â—— My boyfriend has shown me that happiness is in simple moments, like holding hands and walking.
â—— Notice who claps for you in your success,
and you’ll see you have a few friends who celebrate you.
â—— Overthinking will ruin your peace before anyone else does.
One piece of advice for young women struggling to follow their passion?
Never care about what “people will say,” if it’s the path you have chosen for yourself, and it makes you happy, then go for it. You don’t need anyone’s help as long as you have the determination and hopefully family support as I did.
Anything else you wish to share with our readers and your fans?
Try to find true happiness, not the social media fake life and travel any chance you get. I’ve learned so much from that and met new interesting people.