Indian actress Neeta Gupta and West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards’ relationship is now widely known. The two had a daughter together with their relationship who has now grown up and has built a successful career in modelling and acting.
While all three have taken huge strides in their life, it must have been quite difficult for Neena Gupta to raise a child on her own. When asked about her first conversation with Richards about the child, Gupta revealed that Richards was quite supportive of Gupta’s decision.
“I was not very giddy with joy. I was happy because I loved him. I called him and asked him that if you don’t want this child then I won’t have it. He said, ‘No no I would love for you to have this child’. Everyone told me, ‘No, no, no how can you do it alone?’ because he was already married and I couldn’t marry him and go to Antigua to live there. But what happens is jawani mein you are blind. (You are blind in your youth) When you are in love, you don’t listen to anybody. No children will listen to their parents and I was the same,” said Neena Gupta
“We (Vivian and Neena) were in touch sometimes, sometimes not. But I told her (Masaba) everything frankly. It’s important to tell the child the truth otherwise he or she will find it from somewhere else. So, it’s better to tell her and let her adapt,” Neena said.
“It was very tough but my thing is that I am that kind of a person that if I have decided something, then I will do it on my own. I never asked for any financial or emotional support,” Neena said, and when asked who supported her the most, the actor was quick to reply, “Dad! Absolutely. He was the man in my life.”
Vivian Richards went on to captain the West Indies side and play 308 matches wearing the national team jersey.
