Success stories in Bollywood often sparkle on the surface but behind them usually stand years of struggle, doubt and determination. Esha Gupta’s path is one such journey, one that didn’t begin with glamour or industry backing but with a young Delhi girl who refused to let rejection define her.
Long before she stepped into the world of films, Esha Gupta had imagined a very different life for herself. She once dreamed of becoming a chef but her strict vegetarian lifestyle didn’t fit the demands of that career. Slowly, her interests shifted and she found herself drawn toward modelling and eventually, acting. With no connections in the industry, she learned early that she would have to rely entirely on her own effort. She often spoke about this phase with honesty, explaining that she had to work twice as hard because there was no one to open doors for her or shield her from disappointment.
Esha Gupta’s initial years in Mumbai were filled with challenges. Casting directors repeatedly criticised her complexion and body type, telling her she didn’t fit the conventional idea of a Hindi film heroine. The comments were harsh and the rejections were many but Esha refused to step back. She has shared in interviews how she was often shamed for her skin tone, yet she held on to her ambition and kept moving forward, audition after audition.
Her persistence eventually paid off when Mukesh Bhatt decided to cast her in Jannat 2. For Esha, it was not just a debut but a moment of validation after years of self-doubt. The 2012 film, in which she starred opposite Emraan Hashmi, was a commercial success and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She has repeatedly expressed gratitude toward Mukesh Bhatt, crediting him for recognising her potential when many others did not.
After Jannat 2, Esha Gupta went on to appear in several notable films such as Raaz 3D, Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, Rustom, Humshakals, Total Dhamaal, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, and more. But the early days of struggle still stay with her. She has openly spoken about times when she wasn’t sure she could pay next month’s rent and how the fear of not getting a second chance loomed constantly.
Today, Esha Gupta continues to carve her space in the industry and will soon be seen in the fourth installment of the Dhamaal franchise. In her personal life, she is in a relationship with Spanish businessman Manuel Campos Guallar, co-founder of Mabel Capital, whose net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million.
Esha Gupta’s journey stands as a reminder that in a world quick to judge, belief in oneself can be the most powerful answer.
