Hyderabad: Veteran actress Neena Gupta has officially put an end to the "shocking" rumors claiming she is pregnant at 66. Addressing the viral speculation that has dominated social media for the past 48 hours, the actress clarified that there is no "real-life Badhaai Ho" happening, attributing the confusion to a simple wardrobe illusion.

"There is no Badhaai Ho. I am not pregnant," Gupta told Bollywood Hungama in an exclusive reaction. "The truth is that the saree material was thick, which made me look bulky at the event."

The rumors ignited after Gupta attended the high-profile wedding reception of Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna in Hyderabad. Dressed in a stunning ivory saree designed by her daughter, Masaba Gupta, videos of the actress on the red carpet led many netizens to claim they spotted a "baby bump." Some even speculated if the actress had opted for IVF, while others drew parallels to her famous film role as an older expectant mother.

Despite the intrusive nature of the gossip, Gupta maintained her trademark wit.

"This is all I need, a real-life Badhaai Ho," she joked, adding, "But I must say, I love all this speculation about my pregnancy at my age. It shows we are evolving as a nation."

Gupta’s personal life has often been a topic of national discussion, from her unconventional decision to raise her daughter as a single mother in the 80s to her successful second innings in Bollywood.

While the internet was ready to celebrate a new arrival, the actress is content with the "evolution" of the conversation—even if it did start with a thick piece of fabric.