
Shilpa Shirodkar Credits Mithun Chakraborty For Rescuing Her From ‘Jinxed' Tag
Bigg Boss 18 fame Shilpa Shirodkar has starred in several Bollywood films. Her career in the film industry was marked by several obstacles at the start. In an interview with Pinkvilla, Shilpa recently recalled how Mithun Chakraborty re-launched her career after she was deemed 'jinxed' by the industry. She said that she got the 'jinxed' tag after her early projects didn't take off. She recounted how Rikku Rakesh Nath, Madhuri Dixit's manager, presented her portfolio to Mithun, and advocated for her talent. Mithun Chakraborty, trusting Rikku's judgment, decided to give her a chance.
'When Boney ji's film didn't happen and all these press people were talking about how unfortunate or jinxed I am, whatever it is! Rikku ji (Rikku Rakesh Nath, Madhuri Dixit's manager) took my album and went to Dada. And he said, Ek ladki hai Dada. Mujhe aisa lagta hai wo bahut talented hai lekin koi film materialise nhi ho rahi uske liye, abhi to log aise bhi likhne lage hain. To aap usko ek opportunity doge? (There's a girl, Dada. I feel she's very talented, but none of her films are materializing yet. Now people have even started writing that she's unlucky. So would you give her an opportunity?)," she said.
Shilpa described how Mithun Chakraborty launched her with a Bengali film in Calcutta, marked by a grand muhurat event. 'Since Dada was very close to Rikku Ji, without thinking, he said, I'll launch her. And, he let the news come out that Mithun Da is launching her. So I met him and he launched a Bengali film in Calcutta. And we had a fabulous launch-muhurat-kind of thing in a theater in Calcutta," said Shilpa.
She also recalled that Mithun Chakraborty recommended her to Ramesh Sippy, leading to her role in the film Bhrashtachar. 'So I have to say that I got this opportunity because of Dada (Mithun) and I am here because of him," she said.
Shilpa Shirodkar and Mithun Chakraborty collaborated on several films including Bhrashtachar (1989), Swarg Yahan Narak Yahan (1991), Trinetra (1991), Jeevan Ki Shatranj (1993), and Hitler (1998).
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