Exclusive: I was told that I was too sexy and I should cover up, says Esha Gupta

A couple of weeks ago, Esha Gupta got everyone’s attention when she posted a few pictures on Instagram. The photos an aesthetically shot series with Arjun Mark were loved for showcasing her in a new avatar. 

The encouragement, however, came to a grinding halt when trolls rushed in  to body shame her. But Esha didn’t lose her cool until a troll said that she isn’t an Indian. “Initially I didn’t let it bother me. They are just trolls and I don’t know them personally. They aren’t a part of your life. In fact, it didn’t matter when they called me a s**t. But when they said I am not an Indian, I lost it. I am as much an Indian as them,” she rues, adding, “I was like, what are they doing? You’re sitting, you have Internet, you probably have nothing going on in life.”

Esha reveals her mother is a pillar of strength in such times. “My family is open-minded. Girls from the military background are really strong. My parents know their child isn’t dumb. When my mother came to know about the trolls, she sent me a message which read, ‘royal ignorance is the best policy.’ That’s the kind of family I have,” she says with pride.

 Looking back, she is happy to have made it on her own. “I am happy I don’t have a godfather or a famous surname. At least no one can say that they made Esha. Nobody gets the credit for me,” she says.

Esha has had several link-ups. However, she insists that she is very much single, saying, “But I wish I had someone yaar! Otherwise I wouldn’t be here struggling or look for houses to rent.”

The actress kick started her career in Jannat 2, starring opposite Emraan Hashmi. While Esha hasn’t starred in a career defining role as yet, she is proud about standing out from the mannequin figures that define Bollywood heroines. She says, “I was told I am too dark toned for the industry since it is the fair girls who get roles. I was told that I was too sexy and I should cover up. People had an issue with everything I did. It wasn’t easy for me. But I would say that the industry is indeed a good place.”