Daily Times

We often hear that art has no boundaries. Deepti Gupta is someone who adheres to this saying in the real sense. Like a dervish who wanders around the world, gathers hidden gems and spreads pearls of wisdom simultaneously, Deepti serves the whole world with her unparalleled acting skills. Be it American series such as Great News, Knights of Prosperity and Kidnapped, Pakistani drama serials such as Malal, Maane Na Yeh Dil and Mastana Mahi.

Daily Times caught up with the actress who is admired for her eye gestures in India, for her natural Urdu speech in Pakistan and for her flawless English accent in the West. While she gave rich and substantial answers to all our questions, she also engaged her fans who she believes motivate her to continue working. She did this by receiving questions from them and incorporating them in this interview.

How does your day start?

I’m not a religious person but I seek spiritual connection. A year ago, I started doing meditation and the first thing I do when I wake up is meditate for 20 minutes. It doesn’t happen every day but it is in my calendar and most days I manage to do it.

What do you do when you do not act?

When I am not acting in a project, I’m restless. Acting provides an outlet for my emotional energy. I’ve spent many years struggling with the time when I didn’t have work. I’d take up other jobs but I couldn’t find any joy in them. Those are tough periods for any artist. I’ve had my fair share. I’ve had to slowly learn that I must create my own work, if for nothing else, so I can stay sane.

What would you have been if not an actress?

I chose acting against all odds. It is a hard-won life and I can finally say that I’m proud of myself. Accolades from others may come or not, but I’m proud that I’ve stuck with my dream. I remember, in 9th grade, a teacher asked all of us to stand up and share what we wanted to be as grown-ups. When my turn came, I said that I wanted to work in ‘media’. I was too scared to say that I wanted to be an actress. I worried that my classmates would laugh at me. From that to today, I can look back at my life and appreciate the tough journey, and I think that is progress. Still, there’s a long way to go. I hope to be actively working till my 90s.

‘Blind Spots’ was about a struggling actress in New York. How much do you relate to that character?

It was written by my husband. So, he knew what it was like for me. Acting is a tough profession no matter which country you pursue it in. It really puts you through the toughest tests to see if you still want it. And the biggest thing is to be honest with yourself about why you want to do it and if you still want it. A few of my actor friends have found other professions where they’ve found equal or more happiness. I have tried and always come back to acting. We all have to dig deep and find out what’s true for us.

What are your acting methodologies?

I wish I had one method. It would make things so simple. But in all creative fields, there are no formulas. Every new project means starting from zero and building the world of the story. It starts with the story and ends with the story.

Which Pakistani director do you admire the most and why?

Well, Mehreen Jabbar is my all-time favourite. She and I had a good working chemistry even when I first auditioned for her many years ago. I’d work with her in a heartbeat. She allows the actor to explore and is a very patient and sensitive director. I’ve learnt so much about my own process from working with her.

As a parent, how do you manage time between mothering and acting?

My focus does get split. School holidays are particularly tricky, as I’m sure all parents can relate to that. Where to send your kid and how to keep them engaged. Of course, there is the question, ‘Am I truly present with the child?’ That is a tough one. As a modern-day parent, and with technology taking up our mental space too, we are often preoccupied. Just today my son was saying something to me and I literally had to tell myself in my mind ‘pay attention to him otherwise years later you will remember this moment and regret not listening to him when he actually wanted to talk to you’. So that is the reality. By the way, I hope you ask this question about parenting to MALE artists you interview too. Men need to start taking a bigger role in parenting.

Which is your personal favourite work?

Malaal directed by Mehreen Jabbar, shot in NYC. I had a blast working with Faisal Rehman, Sarwat Gilani and Imran Abbas. The shoot was challenging many times but there was a strong sense of camaraderie and we were determined to tell the story well. We did it. During the shoot, I also met Shehrazade Sheikh who is now a director in Pakistani TV and Madiha Aijaz, a photographer and visual artist. It is inspiring to watch their journey as creative artists.

Have you done that role which you had always wanted to do or are you still waiting to present your masterpiece?

I don’t know if it is possible for an actor to say that one role can satisfy his or her creative life. The biggest role we all play is LIFE. As an actor, I get to tell stories of people that you and I might know and through my work we get to have a more personal look into their life. We want to know so much about someone we meet. As an actor, I get to use that curiosity in my work and through my character’s story, the audience gets a closer understanding of a fellow human being.

Fan Questions:

Hasnain Khan: Are you a feminist?

There are many ways people understand that term. I, however, believe in justice and equality which applies across gender, religious identity, racial identity, economic status. All of it. I do feel strongly that in South Asia we have a lot of work to do to bring gender equality. Just because women are prominent in the workforce doesn’t mean their home-life gives them the freedom they deserve. What we tell young girls and young boys is very important. The future changes with us. The news from back home about abuse towards girls and women is frustrating to hear. Here in the West, they say, ‘Future if Female’. Women can’t make it happen alone. Men who truly believe in equality will be a win for feminism.

Simantini Dutta: How has life treated you as an artist?

I’ve learnt that when you commit to an artist’s life, you commit to a life of ups and downs. As a young person that was very hard for me to fathom. Making money, getting fame, receiving awards – all becomes very important. But in the end, what gives true satisfaction is when I’ve done my heart’s best. I’ve now become comfortable with the idea that this is what I chose and I’ve had wonderful opportunities to be creative. I still seek more. The challenge of being an artist will never go away. I accept it with open arms.

Saima Ashraf: What keeps you motivated and positive about life?

Dreaming is what motivates me. Believing in possibilities and the thought that I’d rather die pursuing my dream than not take action at all. I have to decide to be motivated. It is like praying every day. A commitment to my own creative life.

Aijaz Aslam: Do you ever feel any racism from Pakistani artists’ side? This has been asked while keeping under consideration the racist attitude witnessed by Pakistani artists in India.

I’ve been blessed that I’ve never experienced anything but love and respect from all my Pakistani co-actors, crew members and directors and producers. I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know them.

Al-zoha Pervaiz Sheikh: What is your perception about life?

Listen to your heart. Don’t hurt others on purpose. Be grateful for what you have.

Bably Barik: Do you think that an artist can contribute in bringing justice for the downtrodden?

A team of artists can do that if the producer, writer, director and actors along with a crew care about the subject matter. Many times, I’ve wondered how I contribute to the world at large by being an actor. My acting teacher here in Los Angeles says that actors take the journey so the audience can see the world through them and experience connection. That connection can do wonders. For the downtrodden, art heals. Sometimes, seeing your story being told in a TV show can feel like ‘Someone understands me’. That is meaningful. We all want our stories to be told so that we can feel a connection with each other. An artist helps make that happen.

Ayla Romail: I see pain in your eyes. You must have been through a lot. How have you coped with all of that?

There are many people around the world who have and who are going through a lot more. I can’t say I’ve been through a lot. I’ve been through my share of disappointments, hardship and sorrow. It reflects in my work because the characters were going through life changing, heart breaking hardships in their circumstances. Maybe I connect with that more easily somehow. But I’m especially sensitive to the challenges a South Asian woman faces in our culture.

Madiha Nazeer: What makes you happy? What is your definition of achievement?

I used to hear that happiness without sorrow is incomplete, but only recently has it started to make sense to me. It is not that when you feel sad only then you can experience happiness. In fact, there is always a reason to be sad in happiness and to be happy in sorrow. So then perhaps we can stop chasing happiness as the only thing we should feel. Smelling a fragrant blossomed rose gives me immense happiness. My son watches me jump for joy when we go on walks and I spot a rose bush that has fragrant flowers. It can be simple. The most important thing is to not lose your inner spirit for life. That is true achievement.

Saiqa Akbar: How do you manage to inspire so many people with your great acting skills? Are you naturally an emotional person? How much do you care about what others think about you?

I am an emotional person, which I’ve found all artists are. Not in that they are moody, but sensitive in that the world around us truly impacts them and they feel deeply about the goings on. For years I’ve thought something was wrong with me. I probably shut some parts of me off. But I’m coming to realize that the artist is always watching a society’s soul. It is our job to keep it from becoming rotten. To remind us that we are all humans after all.

Danish Adeel: What do you say about the ban on Pakistani actors in Bollywood?

It is a small-minded decision and disappointing. I hope the ban will encourage the creatives on both sides of the border to find other ways to collaborate. For example, I’ve never been to Pakistan (one day I hope) but I’ve shot in Australia, Cape Town, New York. Maybe Bollywood can create opportunities for Pakistani actors by filming outside of India.

Shweta Damle : How do you unwind after being in someone else’s skin for the period of the drama?

It depends on what time we finish work. Sometimes I don’t even want to spend 5 minutes to remove make-up before going to bed. The unwind is gradual for me. Over a period of days. As life grabs my attention to other things, I slowly start to shift my focus away from the story of the drama.

Aasim Yousfi: What is the difference between Pakistani and Indian dramas?

I’ve never acted in Indian dramas so I can’t say. I know I’m probably one of the only Indian actors who has no Indian dramas in her work history. However, as an audience of both those dramas, I must say that Pakistani dramas have always fascinated me. As a child, I remember how we used to rent video tapes of ‘Dhoop Kinare’. Also, Sana from ‘Ankahi’ was my mother’s, my sister’s and my favourite character. The story was told by heart and with a lot of simplicity. I wish storytelling would come back to Indian dramas.

Zamurrad Rizvi: In this world, looks are given more importance than talent. How did you manage such a behaviour?

Read the letter I wrote many months ago and posted on my page. It is an ongoing battle. As I get older, there is a pressure to dye hair. When I was younger I was told to get a nose job. If I had the money, I probably would have gotten it done. But I’ve learnt to just ignore it, and bring only my heart to my work. External looks will change and what is considered beautiful changes all the time. I’d like to be timeless.

Sumbal Khan: Who convinced you to work with Pakistani directors?

Mehreen Jabbar cast me in her serial Pehchaan. Then Momina Duraid saw my work and asked me to do Maaney Na Yeh Dil. That’s how the journey began. I must say Momina is a great storyteller. She chooses her stories with great sensitivity and vision and it has been a joy to work with her and her team.

Deepti Gupta also worked as an assistant director for some episodes of the 2005 series ‘New York Stories’ aired on HUM television, and also is the voice behind countless audiobooks. For this, she has also been nominated for an AUDIE (Oscar of audiobooks) along with many other narrators of high calibre. We wish Deepti the best of luck for her future endeavours, and as Pakistanis, desperately wait for her upcoming Pakistani project.

Published in Daily Times, April 25^th 2018.