Actor Neha Dhupia has never shied away from speaking her mind, especially when it comes to issues surrounding women, health, and motherhood. Recently, she revisited one of the most widely-discussed moments of her life—her marriage to actor Angad Bedi in 2018 and the criticism she faced for being “pregnant before marriage.”
A Wedding That Surprised Fans
When Neha and Angad tied the knot in May 2018, the news came as a surprise to many. The couple opted for a quiet, intimate ceremony and had never publicly spoken about being in a relationship. Their sudden wedding announcement left fans curious, and speculation intensified when just a few months later, they welcomed their daughter, Mehr.
It wasn’t long before whispers turned into public judgment, with a section of people criticising Neha for conceiving before tying the knot. The chatter around her pregnancy overshadowed the couple’s personal happiness, making it a talking point that continues to follow her even years later.
Neha’s Response to the Trolls
In a candid interaction with Mid-Day, Neha opened up about how she dealt with the relentless commentary around her private life.
“I married Angad and after six months we welcomed our daughter Mehr. But the biggest conversation around our wedding was, ‘How did the baby come in six months? Ye ho kaise gaya?’” she recalled.
Neha revealed that even today, years after becoming a mother, she still comes across remarks and online posts targeting women who become pregnant before marriage. Rather than let the negativity affect her, she has found a way to look at it with perspective.
“Even now, I see stories and tags on female actors who get pregnant before marriage. I feel, at least I’m on the same list as Neena Gupta and Alia Bhatt. But honestly, this is ridiculous,” she said with a touch of wit.
Background: Other Stars Who Faced Similar Scrutiny
Neha’s reference to Neena Gupta and Alia Bhatt highlights how women in the public eye have historically been scrutinised for personal choices.
Veteran actor Neena Gupta made headlines in the 1980s when she had her daughter, Masaba, with West Indies cricket legend Vivian Richards. Despite the criticism she endured, Neena went on to raise Masaba as a single mother and has often spoken about the challenges she faced.
ALSO READ- Himachal Nurse Wades Through Flooded Stream to Vaccinate Infant
Alia Bhatt, meanwhile, married actor Ranbir Kapoor in April 2022 and welcomed their daughter, Raha, just seven months later. The timeline of her pregnancy also became the subject of online speculation and gossip, mirroring the kind of judgment Neha faced earlier.
Turning Negativity Into a Movement
Instead of succumbing to trolling, Neha chose to turn her personal experience into a movement for change. The backlash she encountered motivated her to launch an initiative called ‘Freedom to Feed’, which focuses on creating awareness about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery.
“We need to normalise discussions around women’s health instead of treating them as taboo,” she said. “I wanted to spread awareness, break myths, and remind women they are not alone in this journey. These subjects should not be swept under the rug. If I’m being trolled for talking about things that affect half the population, then so be it. I’m not going to stop.”
Through the campaign, Neha has worked to encourage open dialogue about the physical and emotional challenges of motherhood, an area that often gets dismissed or stigmatized in Indian society.
A Strong Message
Neha’s response to her critics reflects a larger conversation about the societal pressure placed on women to conform to traditional timelines for marriage and motherhood. By openly addressing the scrutiny she faced, she not only stood her ground but also positioned herself alongside women like Neena Gupta—trailblazers who refused to let societal judgment define them.
Her words also underline an important reminder: the choices women make about their bodies, pregnancies, and families should not be dictated by societal expectations.
Years after her wedding, Neha Dhupia continues to be a strong voice advocating for women’s health and freedom of choice. Her willingness to confront trolls and transform negativity into a campaign for awareness sets her apart as not just an actor, but also a changemaker.
As she put it, being “on the same list” as Neena Gupta and Alia Bhatt may invite gossip for some, but for Neha, it represents solidarity with women who chose to live life on their own terms. And that, she says, is worth far more than any online criticism.
By
