Versatile actress
Upasana Singh
who is adorably called ‘Bua’ and known for her impressive work in both Hindi and Punjabi cinema opened up about her experiences navigating the entertainment industry as a woman. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, she shared that despite facing hurdles, she remained resolute, advocating for perseverance and integrity in the face of adversity.
“Every profession has its challenges,” Upasana Singh reflected.
“But I believe this industry is relatively safe for women. Nobody can force you into anything. You will find work if you know your potential and are ready to wait for the right opportunity. You don’t have to bow down in front of anyone. Keep doing hard work.”
However, Upasan Singh’s journey hasn’t been without its trials. Recounting a poignant incident from her early years in the industry, she shares, “I had let go of films too. I will not take names but a director from the South had signed me for a film opposite
Anil Kapoor
. I announced this news to all my relatives. The director called me to meet him at a hotel for a ‘sitting.’ I was only 17 back then and very naïve.”
“I told him that I would come the next day because I did not have any resources to travel to the hotel to listen to the story. He told me that he would send a car to get me. He said, “You didn’t understand the meaning of ‘sitting’? Film line mein aane ke liye sitting toh karni padti hai. (you have to do a siting to be in film line),” he shared
Shaken by the incident, Upasana Singh first yelled at the director and then was in tears. She revealed, “I am a Sikhni. I was furious, “How could he say something like this?” I scolded him in his office, ‘you are my father’s age. How could you even think like this about me?’ Then I cried a lot too. I remember I was walking on a footpath in Bandra, crying and thinking about what would people think – the ones whom I had told that I was going to be Anil Kapoor’s heroine. It messed up with my mind. I didn’t leave my house for seven days. My mother gave me courage saying I had done the right thing.”
Manushi Chhillar: Beauty and femininity need to be enjoyed; it’s not something to make you feel insecure
Reflecting further on the rejections and the choices she made, the
actress
continued, “I was removed from several films, once by the hero himself. But I knew that I was talented and would make it one day. People asked me why I did ‘Judaai’ at the age of 21 when I could have tried to become a heroine. I had done theatre. I thought instead of being the lead actress in smaller, regional films, I’d rather play supporting roles in bigger films because there was no one to recommend me. I only had my work to show.”
Upasana Singh’s determination led her to diverse roles, from character parts in blockbusters like ‘Loafer’ and ‘Judaai’ to memorable performances in ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ and the iconic ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil.’
