Bigg Boss 18: All you need to know about contestant Shilpa Shirodkar

Shilpa Shirodkar

Name: Shilpa Shirodkar

Profession: Actor

Claim to fame: Bhrashtachar

The highly anticipated 18th season of Bigg Boss is set to premiere on October 6, with actor Salman Khan returning as host. Amid the buzz surrounding the show, it has been confirmed that actress Shilpa Shirodkar will be one of the contestants on Bigg Boss 18. This news has piqued interest around Shilpa's life and career. Here's all you need to know before things get heated up for the season.

Early life

Shilpa Shirodkar, born on November 20, 1973, has a family deeply rooted in the Indian film industry. She is the younger sister of former actress Namrata Shirodkar, who is married to renowned Telugu actor Mahesh Babu.

Bollywood debut

Shilpa made her Bollywood debut in 1989 with Ramesh Sippy's film Bhrashtachar, where she starred alongside Mithun Chakraborty and Rekha. At just 18 years old, Shilpa's performance as a blind girl in the film marked the beginning of her journey in the film industry.

Rise to fame

Shilpa quickly gained recognition for her roles in several successful Bollywood films in the early 90s. She starred opposite Anil Kapoor in the 1990 film Kishen Kanhaiya and appeared in notable movies such as Trinetra (1991), Hum (1991), Khuda Gawah (1992), Aankhen (1993), Pehchaan (1993), Gopi Kishan (1994), Bewafa Sanam (1995), and Mrityudand (1997). Her on-screen chemistry with Mithun Chakraborty was particularly admired, and the duo worked together in nine films. Shilpa's bold roles in the early 90s set her apart, even though they were considered controversial at the time.

Hiatus and comeback

After a successful stint in Bollywood, Shilpa took a 13-year hiatus from acting. During this period, she focused on her personal life and married Aparesh Ranjit, a UK-based banker, in 2000. The couple has a daughter named Anoushka.

Shilpa returned to the limelight in 2013 with the television series Ek Mutthi Aasmaan on Zee TV. She continued her television career with shows like Silsila Pyar Ka and Savitri Devi College & Hospital. She made a brief return to the big screen in the 2020 film Guns of Banaras.

Personal life

Shilpa shares a close bond with her family, particularly her sister Namrata and brother-in-law Mahesh Babu. She often posts about her family on social media, showcasing their tight-knit relationship. Shilpa has over 140k followers on Instagram, where she shares glimpses of her personal and professional life.

Controversies

One of the most notable controversies surrounding Shilpa Shirodkar arose from her choice of bold roles in the early 90s. At a time when Bollywood was more conservative in its portrayal of female characters, Shilpa took on roles that were seen as provocative. Her performances in intimate scenes and her willingness to break industry norms made headlines. While these roles helped her stand out and gain popularity, they also attracted criticism. Some sections of the industry and the audience labeled her roles as vulgar, which was a significant controversy given the more traditional mindset of Bollywood during that era.

In addition to the criticism for her bold roles, Shilpa Shirodkar faced body shaming during her career. In a recent interview, she recalled being called "fat" in the 90s, a time when the industry had very rigid standards of beauty and fitness for actresses.