Shilpa Shirodkar’s graph has alternated between troughs and triumphs. The ‘jinxed’ tag being thrust on her even before her debut, the teen turned it around in a sensuous sweep. If Ramesh Sippy’s Bhrashtachar banked on her ‘sightless’ vulnerability, Rakesh Roshan’s Kishen Kanhaiya cashed in on her copious curves. Hum, Khuda Gawah, Aankhen, Bewafa Sanam, Mrityudand…
Shilpa was the nymphet of the ’90s till she gave it all up to marry UK-based banker Aparesh Ranjit. Leaving the trappings of stardom behind, she explored new worlds, new possibilities. While she became a professional hairdresser in New Zealand and later took up a corporate job as a credit controller, post the birth of daughter Anoushka (Ranjit) the family moved to London.
What shook her drastically was the demise of her parents, dad Nitin Shirodkar and mom Vanita Shirodkar, between 2007- 2008. Tragically, both succumbed to cancer. Dubbing it as ‘the darkest phase’ in her life, she returned to Mumbai in 2010 to be close to sister/actor Namrata Shirodkar. Anti-depression treatments and spiritual therapies later, Shilpa at 40 went on to do television shows Ek Mutthi Aasman, Silsila Pyar Ka… It was post the pandemic in 2024 that Shilpa consumed by loneliness returned to India for good. If participating in Bigg Boss 18 rebooted her personality, doing films relit her love for the camera. She’s ecstatic celebrating her homecoming – the emotional baggage behind her, the panorama ahead full of promises…
SHILPA SHIRODKAR’S STORY IN HER OWN WORDS:
JINX VS JUBILEES
Ramesh Sippy’s Bhrashtachar (1989) was my debut. But before that some of my projects got shelved. Supposed to be a big launch, Souten Ki Beti, didn’t work out. The film I was supposed to do with Boney Kapoorji. That also didn’t happen. I was dubbed ‘jinxed’ but I had the support of an amazing family. My sister Namrata (Shirodkar, wife/actor of South superstar Mahesh Babu) and I wanted to make a name for ourselves.
Then, Rikku Rakesh Nathji (producer and ex-manager of Madhuri Dixit), introduced me to Mithun Dada (Chakraborty). I owe a lot to Dada. He saw my pictures and spoke about me to Ramesh Sippyji. That’s how I was signed to play a blind girl in Bhrashtachar, which featured Dada and Rekhaji. The ‘rape’ scene was sensitively shot (Anupam Kher plays a politician, who rapes Shilpa’s character and has her killed). It was not sensational. I went on to do nine films with Dada (including Trinetra, Hitler, Swarg Yahan Narak Yahan, Jeevan Ki Shatranj, Rangbaaz between 1991 – 1996).
Another significant film was Kishen Kanhaiya (1990). To be noticed in a Madhuri Dixit-Anil Kapoor film was an achievement for me. I was nervous about shooting the ‘waterfall’ song – Radha bina hai Kishen akela. The thought that I was working with Anil Kapoor and Gudduji (director Rakesh Roshan) on a huge project was as overwhelming. Dance master Kamalji was a strict professional. During the first scene itself, I slipped on the rocks and my foot was bruised. They put some spirit, made me feel comfortable and we continued shooting. There was no time to sulk. We completed the song in four days.
Rakeshji had said, “Your character will only bring you love.” I trusted him. My fan mail increased significantly. The best part about being a part of a successful film is that you’re recognised by the character’s name. From Shilpa, I became the caring ‘Radha’ for my fans, who addressed me so in letters.
‘B’IG ENCOUNTER
I was indeed fortunate to have worked with Amitji (Bachchan) in Mukul Anand’s Hum (1991) and later Khuda Gawah (1992) I was his crazy fan. I adored him. He was my idol, my hero. I’d no idea that one day I’d be working with him. I met Amitji for the first time while shooting in Ooty for Hum. I was rehearsing a shot when there was a buzz. Suddenly, heads turned around as he walked in. I couldn’t believe I was seeing ‘the love of my life’ for the first time. He walked in wearing an electric blue trench coat and huge sunglasses… the tallest man in the corridor. I froze. He came towards us. He shook hands with me saying, ‘I am Amitabh Bachchan!’ My hands turned cold. Even now as I recall the moment I get goosebumps.
He sat and watched the shooting. I was finding it difficult to do my steps. Mukulji told Amitji she’s ‘nervous’. Amitji calmly said, “Don’t be nervous. Just do your work.” Then on, I went about ‘doing my work’, giving retakes and not being embarrassed about it. I learnt the value of time and work from Amitji. Of being kind and humble even in that position.
Through the ’90s, I did a medley of films including Aankhen (Govinda), Bandish (Jackie Shroff), Do Matwale (Sanjay Dutt), Yodha (Sunny Deol), Gopi Kishan (Suniel Shetty), Bewafa Sanam (Krishan Kumar), Mrityudand (Ayub Khan)… M.F.Husain’s Gaja Gamini in 2000 was one of my last films before I got married to Aparesh Ranjit (UK-based banker) in the same year.
MARRIAGE & ME
I was 27 when I met Aparesh. Within a day and a half of meeting him, I decided to settle down with him. His honesty was refreshing. He was not overwhelmed by who I was. He had no insecurities regarding me. He came across as a simple guy. I am a simple person too. I believed getting married was the right thing. Recently, we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.
I’ve travelled the world with Aparesh. We’ve lived in different countries. We started off with the Netherlands for a year. Then we lived in New Zealand for three years. There I did a hairdressing course from Winters Hairdressing Academy just to keep myself busy. I became a professional hairdresser. Later, I took up a corporate job and worked with Dun & Bradstreet as a credit controller for more than two years. I quit the job when I became pregnant. Our daughter, Anoushka (Ranjit) was born in 2003 in New Zealand. Then we moved to London. We stayed there for seven years.
GRIEF-STRUCK
Dad (Nitin Shirodkar) passed away in 2007 and Mom (Vanita Shirodkar) in 2008. It was shocking that they both passed away from the same illness – cancer. It was the darkest phase in my life. My husband Aparesh, my sister Namrata, my daughter Anoushka… all were there for me. But I still felt alone. I was so emotionally upset that I’d blow everything out of proportion and make a big deal of it. I couldn’t understand why I was doing that because basically I’m a happy person. I knew something was not right. I was kept on antidepressants.
In 2010 I wanted to leave London. My husband was doing extremely well there. But he realised that I needed to come back to India to heal myself. I needed to be closer to Namrata. I returned to India. We even started a production house.
Here, I also got inclined towards spirituality. I started reading about life after death. I believed my parents were around me and watching over me. Choreographer Shiamak Davar, who’s also spiritually inclined, helped me during the time I was grieving. He said, “Don’t run away from the pain. Eventually, you’ll learn to deal with it and the pain will become part of your life.”
In Mumbai, I also met an amazing hypnotherapist Vikram Reddy. The four sessions that I did with him gave me a new perspective. I started dealing with the triggers that disturbed me. It helped me go deep within me. I was able to deal with my sorrow. Thankfully, it’s all over and in the past.
BACK TO WORK
In 2013, I resumed work with the TV series Ek Mutthi Aasmaan. In fact, I turned 40 on the sets of Ek Mutthi… Silsila Pyar Ka (2016) and Savitri Devi College & Hospital (2017) are my other shows. It was a golden period because television is a women-centric space. To be getting that love and respect at my age is rare. I also featured in the film Guns of Banaras (the 2020 film re-launched Rakesh Rikku Nath’s son Karan Nath).
After working for four years on television, my husband got an opportunity to go to Dubai. Anoushka was only 13 at that time. I needed to be with her. I moved to Dubai with my family. Post the pandemic, we moved back to London. When I turned 50, I told my husband I didn’t want to be in London anymore because I felt lonely. I’m a people’s person. I love people. I value their presence in my life. My husband understood me. He’s always been supportive. They say, ‘Behind every successful man there’s a woman.’ I’d say behind every successful woman there’s an understanding man.
In 2024, I took a one-way ticket to India. I came back home. I was actually in Hyderabad with Namrata, when I got a call to participate in the show Bigg Boss 18. When I joined the house in October 2024, it was alleged that Namrata was upset. In fact, I signed the show while I was with her. Namrata and I are extremely close. She means everything to me. There’s nothing that we don’t share or discuss. She’s taken over my parents’ position in my life. I don’t know what I’d have done without her.
Anyway, I came out of the Bigg Boss house in January 2025. My world had changed. The house taught me patience. It taught me not to take decisions in anger. Because anything that is done or said in rage can never be reversed. You’ll end up hurting someone, because you’re hurting yourself. Also, I’ve become more vocal. I say what needs to be said. Currently, I’m shooting for Prerna Arora’s Telugu film Jata Dhara. I’ve also made my OTT debut with Shankar– The Revolutionary Man, a biopic on the life of saint/philosopher Adi Shankaracharya.
HOME AGAIN
My husband is back in London pursuing his career. We keep meeting each other. Recently, we went for a vacation. Anoushka has graduated in International Relations and History. She’s currently pursuing a law degree in London. Emotionally and physically I haven’t felt better. People compliment me on my weight loss, which began in the Bigg Boss house itself. I guess the choices there are limited. It’s about being careful about what you eat and how much you eat… In the real world we have so many options. Yeh bhi khayenge, woh bhi khayenge!
I’m lovin’ the new me. More than looking slim or pretty, it’s about being happy. I practise yoga. I’m careful about what I eat. I didn’t know I could look like this. So I want to maintain it. Many years ago I was rejected for Chaiya Chaiya (the song in the 1998 film Dil Se was choreographed by Farah Khan) because they found me ‘fat’. It’s okay because they considered it from the project’s point of view. I didn’t have a thyroid disorder. I just loved to eat. Obviously, I felt bad losing it because more than the song, I wanted to work with Mani Ratnam sir.
In retrospect, there’s nothing that I’d like to redo about my life. We should own it all however things might have been. Challenges shape you. This is the third time I’ve got an opportunity to come back and do what I love. I’m God’s favourite child. He gives me everything at the right time.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: filmfare.com
