Shilpa Shetty stormed into Bollywood with her debut in the 1993 hit “Baazigar,” instantly becoming a household name. Despite her character meeting an untimely demise early in the film, it was this unexpected twist that captivated audiences and catapulted her career.
Remarkably, she was a mere 17 years old when she landed the role in “Baazigar.” Now 48, Shilpa, renowned for her dedication to fitness, shared her journey in a poignant post for Humans Of Bombay five years ago, shedding light on the challenges she faced at the onset of her career.
Shilpa Shetty Candid Revelation: Reflecting on Her Bollywood Struggles
Shilpa revealed that her foray into the glamorous world of entertainment was serendipitous. Initially participating in a fashion show purely for the thrill of venturing beyond her comfort zone, the stunning photographs unexpectedly paved the way for lucrative modeling opportunities.
Shortly after, she received her debut film offer. However, being a non-native Hindi speaker posed a significant language barrier for her. Additionally, the prospect of facing the camera filled her with fear and apprehension.
Shilpa Shetty recounted a period in her career when she encountered a slowdown despite her appearances in numerous films. “Despite my best efforts, I often felt like I was lagging. Transitioning from receiving praise to suddenly being overlooked is challenging,” she remarked, recalling instances when she was inexplicably dropped from film projects. “I can recall producers who removed me from their films without any clear explanation. The odds seemed stacked against me, but I persevered,” Shilpa Shetty reflected.
Furthermore, Shilpa Shetty opened up about the emotional and mental strain she endured during her time on the British TV reality show Big Brother. She encountered significant racism in the house, which occasionally brought her to tears.
“I endured public harassment and discrimination solely based on my nationality. It was a challenging period – I felt utterly isolated in that environment,” she disclosed, emphasizing, “Yet, I persisted. Giving up was not an option, especially after coming this far. When I finally triumphed, people said to me, ‘You’ve made us proud.’ That’s when I realized that all the trials and persistence were truly worthwhile.”
In terms of Shilpa Shetty’s personal life, she is wedded to entrepreneur Raj Kundra. They share two children, Viaan and Shamisha. Shilpa possesses opulent assets, including a seaside mansion valued at Rs 100 crore, and she also owns a private jet.