Upasana Singh: My mother was my guide

Upasana Singhaffectionately recognized as 'Boo' at the Kapil Sharma show,' shares his remarkable journey from his debut in Marwari cinema to becoming a household name. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, she talks about her experiences, challenges and her definitive guide – her mother.
His first venture into the film world began during his college days with the Marwari film 'Baai Chali Sasariye'. Reflecting on her journey, Upasana expresses deep gratitude for her life and career. Despite coming from a Sikh family with no connections to the industry, she credits her mother's unwavering support for nurturing her passion for acting.

“I am completely satisfied with my life and my acting journey. I didn't know anyone when I entered the film industry because nobody in my family was in the film industry. I belong to a Sikh family and at that time the film industry was considered a bad place to work. But my mother was polite. She realized that I liked acting. She was the only one who supported me,” she said.

With four successful films in her college years, including 'Amdavadno Rickshawalo' (Gujarati), 'Raamvati' (Hindi) and 'Badla Jatti Da' (Punjabi), Upasana has established herself as an all-round talent. Her early experiences as a child actress in Doordarshan Jalandhar and rigorous training in Kathak dance instilled confidence in her craft.
“I used to work as a child actor in Door Darshan Jalandhar, so I was confident in facing the camera. I learned Kathak for eight years to be able to dance well. I knew the difficulties my mother faced for me to get here, so I just thank the almighty”, said the actress.

When asked about her mentor in Mumbai, Upasana acknowledges her mother's wisdom as her guide. “My mother, who didn’t even put on lipstick, was my guide. She was an intelligent woman. I used to think that the more I wore makeup, jewelry, or flowers in my hair, the prettier I looked. But my mother told me that I look prettier when I don’t wear makeup,” expressed Upasana.
Despite setbacks and rejections, Upasana remained resilient, banking on her talent and determination. Rejecting offers that compromised her values, she opted for character roles rather than conventional leading roles. Her breakthrough came with character roles in notable films like 'Loafer' (1996), 'Judaai', 'Badal' and 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi', which earned her the tag of a comedy stalwart after her stint in 'Comedy Nights with Kapil'. '

Looking ahead, Upasana delves into her upcoming projects, including ventures in Punjabi cinema and her foray into production. With her son, Nanak Singh, making strides in acting, and several Punjabi films awaiting release, Upasana remains committed to her craft, seeking creative fulfillment rather than commercial pursuits.