Masaba Gupta recalls shutting down 5 stores in 2 months during COVID; reveals not even having Rs 12000 to pay her cook: ‘I remember crying after…’

Masaba Gupta recalls shutting down 5 stores in 2 months during COVID; reveals not even having Rs 12000 to pay her cook: ‘I remember crying after…’

As a lifestyle expert, I must say that Masaba Gupta is an inspiration to many. Born into stardom and carving her own niche, she has proven time and again that resilience and determination can help one overcome even the most challenging circumstances. Her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic are a testament to this fact.


Masaba Gupta, fashion designer and actress who was born to Viv Richards and Neena Gupta, gained popularity through her web series titled Masaba Masaba. Apart from being an on-screen talent, she runs a successful fashion label. Currently pregnant with her first child, Satyadeep Mishra’s wife, has faced hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, Masaba shared her struggles during this period, including closing five stores within two months and disclosing that she had no money left to pay her cook, amounting to approximately 12,000 rupees.

In a heartfelt chat with Faye D’Souza, I, a fervent admirer of Masaba Gupta, found myself gripped by her narrative. She vividly recalled the harrowing moments when her esteemed fashion brand teetered on the edge of closure amidst the pandemic’s wrath. The designer also opened up about an agonizing period when she had just Rs 2 lakh left in her bank account, a stark reminder of the unprecedented challenges we all faced.

Reflecting on when her business was at risk of closing, the designer reminisced, “During those afternoons from 2 pm to 5 pm, I’d be in calls being told the brand would cease operations on July 10…We negotiated with malls, stores, and landlords, pleading for rent reductions. Some were understanding, given our dire straits.

Later on, Masaba reminisced about the moment when her investors suggested she should halt the brand’s operation during the countrywide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fashion designer confessed that she shed tears after each conversation with them. Despite her business manager maintaining a hopeful and optimistic demeanor regarding the brand, Masaba was forced to close down five stores within two months. Some of these outlets were franchises, while others were directly owned by the company.

During this difficult period, known as the worst time in her life due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Masaba Gupta found herself with only Rs 2 lakh in her bank account. With this limited funds, she asked her employees to produce face masks as a way to reduce losses. Moreover, she shared that she didn’t even have Rs 12,000 on hand to pay her cook. She emphasized that her life had taken a significant turn for the worse.

In 2020, Masaba Gupta’s autobiographical drama, titled Masaba Masaba, made its debut. The subsequent season of this show was unveiled in 2022.

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2024-09-16 23:08