Rajendra Gupta says actors are expected to be ‘darbaari’ to filmmakers, lies are sold and work has no value, ‘Maybe that’s why I didn’t become a star’

Veteran actor Rajendra Gupta, celebrated for his powerful character roles across television and films for several decades, has opened up about the harsh realities of the Hindi film industry. In a recent conversation, the 78-year-old spoke about the “camp culture” that often decides the fate of actors who wish to rise to stardom.

Gupta revealed that many filmmakers and producers expect actors to constantly stay around them to maintain relationships—something he describes as becoming their “darbaari." According to him, those who refuse to play along often find themselves losing out on opportunities.

‘The industry hasn’t given me the roles I yearn for’

Despite an illustrious career, Gupta admitted that he still feels a void. “I still feel I have not done anything. The industry has not given me the kind of roles that I yearn for,” he told Siddharth Kannan, reflecting on his unfulfilled wish of becoming a mainstream star.

Explaining why he believes stardom eluded him despite being a respected performer, he said, “I am not part of camps. I want to work with producers–directors whose work I like, and I have fun working with them. I express to them directly or indirectly that I love their work and would want to work with them but I don’t hang around with them. I have my life and family. I have other preoccupations, I am a professional and I don’t hang around. If there is any particular reason, apart from luck, of me not achieving stardom, it is just that I don’t do camping.”

‘Directors praise me but don’t repeat me’

Gupta shared that despite receiving admiration for his performances, filmmakers rarely bring him back for future projects. “There are some excellent directors and I have worked with them, and they have loved my work, but they have not repeated me. And they have constantly been making good cinema, but they have not repeated me. Am I so bad? Or am I a rowdy and disrespect you?” he questioned.

He believes the reason lies in his unwillingness to present himself as their “darbaari.” “Just that I never gave them the impression that I am their darbari (courtier). Why are we required to do this? That means that your work has no value.”

Names he wished had repeated him

When asked to name directors he had hoped to collaborate with again, Gupta took a few names without hesitation. “Anubhav Sinha is one of them. His films are socially relevant and different,” he said.

Gupta also recalled opportunities that slipped away despite initial interest. “Twenty-five to thirty years ago, Vidhu Vinod Chopra had chosen me for a role, the contract was also signed but the film story took a different turn and that did not happen. Rajkumar Hirani had also cast me in a role, but that also didn’t happen. And he didn’t repeat me, didn’t think of me. They had thought of me as a good actor par bulate he nahi hai (they don’t call me).”

‘Lies are sold, show-off is sold’

Reflecting on the values the industry rewards, the veteran actor said that showmanship often takes precedence over authenticity. “What do I talk to them? What do I show? How do I show a friendship with them? Friendship happens automatically. It is not forced. How can you give marketing the name of friendship?”

He continued, “Lies are sold in the industry, those have more impact. Show-off is sold. But it is right also because the name of the industry is show business.”

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