Shilpa Shirodkar Opens Up On Her 'Jinxed' Beginnings In Bollywood, 'They Said She's A Panauti...'

Shilpa Shirodkar stepped back into the limelight after a prolonged break when she participated in Bigg Boss 18, and soon gained the recognition of a mother figure in the house. The 90s Bollywood beauty reinstated her presence, and even after the show ended, she continues to make headlines for her achievements. However, not many know that behind her decades of fame lies a complex and stigma-filled road. 

Shilpa Shirodkar opens up on the harsh beginnings of her showbiz career

Shilpa Shirodkar recently gave a tour of her lavish Mumbai home with Zoom, where she opened up about some of the harsh realities of her career in the industry. The actress, who made her official debut with Bhrashtachar, the actress had already tried her hand in two major films, Sauten Ki Beti, and Jungle. However, both of these movies were shelved, and given that they happened before Shilpa’s acting career had even started, she was being labelled as jinxed, and her Bollywood dream seemed to be hanging by a thread. Recalling the whispers that made rounds behind her back, Shilpa said:

"They said she's jinxed, a panauti; whenever she signs a big film, it gets shelved.”

How Mithun Chakraborty became an angel in Shilpa Shirodkar’s career

Bollywood veteran and superstar, Mithun Chakraborty, was the one who ultimately became the guiding light along Shilpa’s journey to stardom in the industry. The actor, lovingly called 'Mithun Da', stepped in like a real-life hero and later collaborated with Shilpa in nine films. At his suggestion, Shilpa was cast in Ramesh Sippy’s 1989 film, Bhrashtachar, a gritty political drama featuring iconic actors like Rekha, Anupam Kher, and even Rajinikanth in a special role. 

Shilpa Shirodkar played the role of a blind girl, and her portrayal was both bold and memorable, especially due to a disturbing rape scene, an exremely controversial choice for someone’s debut work. However, Shilpa took on the role with utmost grace, and she still doesn’t flinch talking about the same. Reflecting on her debut role, the actress shared:

"In Bhrashtachar, I was popular for my rape scene and song. I looked at it like an opportunity given to me by god, an opportunity to work with Ramesh Sippy, Anupam Kher, Mithun Da, Rekha ji. I am what I am because of that. If I hadn't even got that, I wouldn't have been sitting in front of you today.”

Even though Shilpa Shirodkar’s acting career took some time to begin, her bold take on playing the controversial role in her very first film shot her to the limelight. Later, the actress went on to star in some of the 90s blockbusters, such as Kishen Kanhaiya, Hum, Khuda Gawah, Trinetra, Aankhen, and Gopi Kishan, holding her own opposite megastars like Anil Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, and Shah Rukh Khan. However, it definitely didn’t make things easy for her when she took on the role in Bhashtachar. She recalled being uncomfortable during the shoot and shared:

“It wasn't comfortable at all because I don't even remember how it was shot. I was working with such experienced, good and kind people. I was never uncomfortable because everyone treated me so beautifully and with so much respect. I've only learnt, and I'm still learning in this industry.”

Throughout her acting career, Shilpa remained a bright face of the acting world until she decided to retire from cinema after marriage. Her last work before quitting was Gaja Gamini.

What are your thoughts on Shilpa Shirodkar’s journey to stardom?

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