Highlights:
- Neena Gupta said many Indian men still want a “virgin wife.”
- Neena Gupta questioned claims that Indian society has become more open.
- Neena Gupta shared personal family examples of women facing control after marriage.
- One relative was not allowed to keep a Sai Baba picture in her room.
- Neena Gupta said India still has “a long way to go” on women’s rights.
Veteran actor Neena Gupta has spoken about the continuing influence of patriarchy in India, stating that despite visible urban progress, many traditional expectations remain unchanged. In a recent conversation with journalist Shubhankar Mishra, Neena Gupta addressed the idea of virginity in marriage and said that for many Indian men, the expectation of a “virgin wife” still exists.
“They want a virgin wife,” she said.
Neena Gupta’s remarks focused on what she described as the gap between urban perceptions and ground realities. When asked whether virginity continues to be a major issue in modern India, Neena Gupta responded directly. “What has changed now? Are you talking about India? Who says that people are open? A lot of things have not changed in our country. Women still touch their father-in-law’s feet after putting pallu over their heads. You and I are minorities, we are not the real India. People like us who dress well and talk nicely are not India.”
Neena Gupta says everyday restrictions still define married women’s lives
Neena Gupta explained that while some sections of society present themselves as progressive, that does not reflect the broader national picture. According to Neena Gupta, many women continue to face restrictions inside their marital homes, often in subtle but significant ways.
To support her point, Neena Gupta shared examples from her own family. She described a relative who married a professional working at a large financial company in Mumbai. After marriage, the woman refused to continue living with her husband and his family. Neena Gupta said her father called both families to discuss the issue.
The conflict, Neena Gupta explained, centered on religious practice within the household. “The girl worshipped Sai Baba, so she put his picture in their room, but her mother-in-law didn’t allow her to keep that picture and told her to put up the picture of the guru that they worship,” she shared.
Through this example, Neena Gupta pointed to how even personal faith choices can become contested after marriage. According to Neena Gupta, such situations show that control over women’s daily decisions remains common
Neena Gupta offered another example involving her niece. “I’ll give you another example. My niece was told by her mother-in-law that she cannot put her family photo on her bedside table. We have a long way to go when it comes to changing the condition of women in the country.”
By highlighting these incidents, Neena Gupta emphasized that limitations placed on women are not always dramatic but can appear in everyday decisions. Keeping a religious image or a family photograph, she suggested, should not become a matter of negotiation. Yet, according to Neena Gupta, such control continues in many households.
Neena Gupta’s own life and public scrutiny
Neena Gupta’s comments also draw attention because of her own personal history. In the 1980s, Neena Gupta chose to become a mother without getting married. She gave birth to her daughter, Masaba Gupta, after being in a relationship with former West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards. At the time, single motherhood, especially for a public figure, was widely criticized in India.
Neena Gupta has previously spoken about the challenges she faced as an unmarried mother. She balanced her acting career while raising her daughter largely on her own. Neena Gupta has said that although her decision worked out for her, she would not easily recommend it to others due to the social pressures involved.
Over the years, Neena Gupta has acknowledged that she faced gossip, criticism, and questions about her character. The entertainment industry and society, she has said, were not as accepting in the 1980s as some might assume today. For Neena Gupta, raising her daughter required financial stability and emotional resilience.
Masaba Gupta later became a successful fashion designer and has spoken publicly about her close relationship with her mother. Neena Gupta has said she worked hard to shield her daughter from negativity and ensure a stable upbringing.
Neena Gupta questions narratives of rapid change
In her recent remarks, Neena Gupta returned to a central point: that visible change in urban India should not be mistaken for widespread transformation. According to Neena Gupta, practices such as women covering their heads and touching elders’ feet continue to reflect entrenched expectations about gender roles.
By stating that “a lot of things have not changed in our country,” Neena Gupta challenged the idea that conversations about women’s independence have translated into equal freedom within homes. Neena Gupta’s examples suggest that while education and employment opportunities for women have expanded, authority within family structures often remains male-dominated.
Neena Gupta concluded that India still has “a long way to go” when it comes to improving the condition of women. Through personal anecdotes and direct statements, Neena Gupta underlined that debates around virginity, autonomy, and respect inside marriage are still relevant.
Her remarks have renewed discussion about social norms, marriage expectations, and women’s rights in India. As Neena Gupta continues to speak about these issues, her comments contribute to ongoing public conversations about patriarchy and gender equality.
