Neha Dhupia recalls criticism for getting pregnant before marriage, says it got her on same list as Alia Bhatt, Neena Gupta: ‘How did baby come in 6 months?’

She shared how she still receives the criticism but joked that at least this brings her on the same list as actors Neena Gupta and Alia Bhatt. “Even now, I see stories and tags on female actors who get pregnant before marriage. I feel, at least, I’m on the same list as Neena Gupta and Alia Bhatt. But honestly, this is ridiculous.”

Neena Gupta welcomed her only daughter Masaba Gupta out of wedlock. She was dating cricketer Vivian Richards. Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt was dating her now husband Ranbir Kapoor since 2018. The couple tied the knot in April 2022 and welcomed their daughter Raha in November, the same year.

The criticism fuelled Neha to launch her initiative ‘Freedom to Feed’–a platform where one can unapologetically talk about pregnancy, breastfeeding and postpartum recovery.

“We need to normalise discussions around women’s health instead of treating them as taboo. [I wanted] to spread awareness, break myths, and remind women they are not alone in this journey. These subjects should not be swept under the rug. If I’m being trolled for talking about things that affect half the population, then so be it. I’m not going to stop,” shared the actress.

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‘Yes, I was pregnant before I got married’

Previously, talking to Peeping Moon, Neha shared, “It is really great to know that the nation’s mathematics got really good around my pregnancy and onwards to many more pregnancies that are being calculated. Also everybody knows what first trimester is and how many weeks and second trimester and assuming the pregnancy week–5th month mein hogi, sixth month mein hogi. Let me set the record straight, yes I was pregnant before I got married so its fine.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Neha shared how her sudden marriage came as a shocker to even her closest friends including Soha Ali Khan. “At that point there was just chaos, I was pregnant.” She claimed that though she couldn’t invite Soha to her wedding, she was the first one to know about her pregnancy.

“They were the first ones to get to know that we were pregnant. Also, because we were eating in a restaurant and I fainted on Kunal Kemmu. The next morning, we met again and that’s when I told her that I was pregnant.”

Angad and Neha’s relationship was fairly new when she got pregnant. “You are also like… not married, you barely dated the guy. This information, no matter how unorthodox or orthodox you are, it’s just easier to share it with your friends, and friends who have just had a baby as opposed to telling your parents. It’s a tough one to have.”

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What is Freedom to Feed?

Neha Dhupia started Freedom to Freed in 2019, soon after the birth of her daughter Mehr. The intention behind the initiative is to normalise breastfeeding in public and maternal health. It is a platform for awareness, policy, and community-led change. The platform connects moms, experts and real stories, creating a space to learn, share and grow together. Freedom to Feed is now a community of over 60,000 people.