“Every profession has its challenges,” reflected Upasana Singh. “But I believe this industry is relatively safe for women. No one can force you into anything. You will find work if you know your potential and are ready to wait for the right opportunity. You don't need to bow down to anyone. Keep working hard. ”
However, Upasan Singh's journey was not without its trials. Recounting a heartbreaking incident from her early years in the industry, she says, “I also gave up films. I won't write down names, but a director from the South hired me for a film alongside Anil Kapoor. I announced this news to all my relatives. The director asked me to meet him at a hotel for a 'sitting'. I was only 17 at that time and very naive.” “I told him I would come the next day because I didn't have the resources to go to the hotel to hear the story. He told me he would send a car to pick me up. He said, “Don't you understand the meaning of 'sit'? Film line mein aane ke liye sitting toh karni padti hai. (you have to do a rental to be in line for the movie),” he shared
Shaken by the incident, Upasana Singh first shouted at the director and then cried. She revealed, “I am a Sikhni. I was furious: “How could he say something like that?” I scolded him in her office: 'Are you my father's age?' Then I cried a lot too. I remember walking along a footpath in Bandra, crying and thinking what the people would think – the ones I had told I would be Anil Kapoor's heroine. I didn't leave the house for seven days. My mother gave me courage by telling me I had done the right thing.”
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Reflecting further on the rejections and choices she made, the actress he continued: “I was removed from several films, once by the hero himself. But I knew I was talented and that one day I would make it. People asked me why I did 'Judaai' at 21, when I could have tried to become a heroine. I had done theater. I thought that instead of being the lead actress in smaller regional films, I would rather play supporting roles in bigger films because there was no one to recommend me. I only had my work to show.”
Upasana Singh's determination has led her to diverse roles, from characters in blockbusters like 'Loafer' and 'Judaai' to memorable performances in 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' and the iconic 'Comedy Nights with Kapil'.
