At this time, Shilpa Shetty Kundra is one of the most celebrated stars in the industry with over forty films. Whether it’s a film or just an item number, Shetty has charmed the audiences with her every characters. From ‘Baazigar’ (1993), ‘Main Khiladi Tu Anari’ (1994), ‘Aag’ (1994), ‘Indian’ (2001) to ‘Life In A Metro’ (2007), ‘Hungama 2’ (2021), Shetty has never failed to give an outstanding performance in every era.
Shilpa Shetty is the first actress to be known for her amazing body fitness and health care even at the age of 48. She is often considered as a fitness icon, which inspires many to achieve the shape. But did you know the actress, who is now a big star, once struggled in her career as well? It’s like no pain, no gain.
Apart from acting in the lead roles, Shilpa also had to work for item numbers as well to sustain in the industry. For example, the song “Main Aayi Hoon UP Bihar Lootne” from the film ‘Shool’ (1999), became an instant hit for the ‘Dus’ actress. The charming and energetic performance in the song made it go viral overnight.
That’s when she had to face severe issues in her career. Back then, she just got the offer for ‘Dhadkan’ (2000). But director Dharmesh Darshan was not happy with her doing the item song “Main Aayi Hoon UP Bihar Lootne”, just before ‘Dhadkan’. She said that the film got stalled and even she was not sure whether the film would be made.
“I went through a personal and a professional low at a time and I remember I used that time to learn make-up, I used that time to better and improve myself, and I did whatever came.” Shilpa recently shared to Zoom Entertainment, “So, I remember there was a time when Dhadkan was stalled and was not going to happen and I got offered “UP Bihar…” I didn’t know when it was going to be made because the director was working on another project, he didn’t say that he wasn’t making it, but I knew it would take a couple of years. So, I said ‘now what’?”
She also shared how Dharmesh Darshan reacted by saying, “He was very upset when I decided to take up “UP Bihar…” and thank God I did, because it brought me back to the news. But my director Dharmesh ji, I remember was very upset because Anjali, the character (in ‘Dhadkan’) was someone who was supposed to be very classy and cannot be a naughty girl. With due respect to him, I felt it was a decision I should take in my life. And in life, if people follow their convictions and instincts, then they’ll be able to achieve a lot, because I feel we underestimate the power of our instincts.”
While remembering her past trauma, the ‘Nikamma’ actress shared how she was being called an “item girl” for two years after doing the song. “For two years I was known as an item girl, but it kept me working because I was doing so many shows. And then after two years, I revisited ‘Dhadkan’ and that became a huge hit and by that time people had forgotten about that and only remembered that character. Funnily enough, my films work or don’t, that I don’t know. But my songs have always worked. All my songs were huge hits,” she shared.
Later after nine years, Shilpa once again blew everyone’s mind with her another item number “Shut Up & Bounce” in the Priyanka Chopra-starrer ”Dostana’ (2008). This also became an instant hit and is considered the best item song of Kundra till date.
