Bollywood Called This Actress ‘Fat' And ‘Unattractive', Then Mithun Chakraborty Stepped In
Many aspiring actors arrive in Mumbai, the City of Dreams, with hopes of making their mark in the film industry. Yet, for numerous hopefuls, success proves elusive. One such actress is Shilpa Shirodkar, who, despite her impressive lineage, being the granddaughter of acclaimed Marathi actress Meenakshi Shirodkar and sister to former Miss India Namrata Shirodkar, faced harsh rejection.
The film industry initially branded her as overweight and unattractive, making her journey all the more challenging.
Early Beginnings And Initial Setbacks
Shilpa Shirodkar made her debut in 1989 with Ramesh Sippy's film Bhrashtachar (1989), where she played the role of a blind woman alongside the superstar Mithun Chakraborty.
Despite her evident potential, Shilpa Shirodkar's early career was beset with challenges. Frequently dismissed by filmmakers as 'fat' and 'unattractive', she was even regarded as a jinx. She was initially set to debut in a Boney Kapoor production opposite Sanjay Kapoor; however, the project was shelved before filming commenced.
Sanjay Kapoor eventually made his debut alongside Tabu in Prem (1995), leaving Shilpa without a proper launchpad. After two more of her films were also shelved, she gained a reputation for being unlucky, prompting many filmmakers to steer clear of working with her.
A Helping Hand From Mithun Chakraborty
In an interview with Pinkvilla, Shilpa Shirodkar revealed that during this bleak phase, when no one was willing to collaborate with her, Mithun Chakraborty stepped in to support her career. Madhuri Dixit's then-manager, Riku Rakesh Nath, introduced Shilpa Shirodkar to Mithun Chakraborty and asked him to assist in her launch.
Shilpa Shirodkar recalled that during the grand muhurat of a Bengali film in Kolkata, it was publicly announced that she had been signed as the heroine. This marked the turning point of her career.
Acknowledging Her Benefactor
Shilpa Shirodkar openly credits Mithun Chakraborty for her entry into films, stating, 'I was cast in Bhrashtachar. This is how I began working in the film industry. I got the offer because of Dada (Mithun Chakraborty), and I am here today because of him".
Shilpa Shirodkar went on to act with stars such as Amitabh Bachchan in Hum (1991) and Khuda Gawah (1992), and also shared screen space with Govinda in Aankhen (1993) and Prateeksha (1993)
Life Beyond Films
Not quite reaching the pinnacle of success she had originally envisioned in the film industry, Shilpa Shirodkar eventually chose to step away from the spotlight.
She married, took a significant hiatus from acting, and settled in London, embracing a quieter life away from the hustle and bustle of Bollywood.
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