New Delhi (Showbiz Desk): Senior and outspoken Bollywood actress Neena Gupta has once again spoken candidly about her personal life, particularly her relationship with West Indies cricket legend Vivian Richards, the birth of their daughter, and her decision not to marry.
According to Indian media, during a podcast appearance, when asked about her love story with Vivian Richards, Neena Gupta responded in a slightly sarcastic yet clear tone:
“Go and ask him this question. Everyone is afraid to question him. Why do you all only ask me?”
The actress acknowledged that she and Richards were in love, but their relationship did not last long. She admitted that at the time she was so deeply in love that she neither listened to others nor thought practically about the situation. However, she said the time they spent together was beautiful and she does not deny that.
Explaining why they did not marry, Neena Gupta said the decision was based on practical reasons rather than emotions. Either she would have had to leave her career in India and move to the West Indies, or Vivian Richards would have had to give up international cricket and settle in India — both of which were not feasible.
She revealed that in November 1989, she made a conscious decision to give birth to her daughter, Masaba Gupta, without getting married. She had discussed the matter with Vivian Richards beforehand, and he had agreed.
According to Neena Gupta, Vivian Richards has never publicly denied that Masaba is his daughter. However, she also clarified that raising a child as a single mother is not easy, and such a situation is neither easy for the mother nor considered ideal for the child.
