Shilpa Shetty, a renowned Bollywood actress, continues to be an inspiration, especially for 90s kids who grew up watching her on-screen presence. She was one of the most prominent actresses of her time, debuting with Shah Rukh Khan in Baazigar (1993) and subsequently featuring in several successful films. During the 90s and early 2000s, she was often seen alongside Akshay Kumar, one of the biggest stars of that era. While they had a sizzling on-screen chemistry, rumors of a romance quickly surfaced, making headlines.
The On-Screen Romance Turned Real
The speculation around their off-screen relationship began while filming Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), where Shilpa and Akshay shared undeniable chemistry. Their relationship became a public spectacle as both stars were well-established and in the spotlight. However, the relationship faced turbulence and eventually ended after Akshay Kumar allegedly left Shilpa for Twinkle Khanna.
The breakup was not just a personal setback for Shilpa, but it also had professional implications as the two were filming Dhadkan, a romantic drama, at the time. Shilpa Shetty, known for her professionalism, was determined to not let her personal turmoil affect her work.
Shilpa Shetty’s Candid Confession
In a 2000 interview, according to IBT report, Shilpa Shetty opened up about the emotional and mental struggles she faced during this time. She confessed, “It has been a rough period, personally. But I’m glad that the ordeal is over. After every dark cloud, there’s always a silver lining. All this while, though things were going well professionally, my personal life was pulling me down. It feels good that it’s finally behind me.”
Her words reflected a sense of relief and growth, as she felt the dark phase had finally passed. The actress was clear that despite the turmoil, she chose to focus on her professional commitments, rather than letting personal issues disrupt her career. She explained, “I wanted our film to get over and be released so that it wouldn’t come in the way of my producers. I couldn’t harass them just because my personal life was turning into shambles. So, I decided to wait till Dhadkan was done with.”
The Pain of Being Taken for a Ride
Shilpa’s candidness continued as she reflected on the pain of realizing that she had been “taken for a ride” in her relationship with Akshay Kumar. She revealed, “When you love someone and, all along, don’t realize that you are being taken for a ride, it can be very annoying.” This statement underscored the betrayal she felt at the time. She spoke about her frustration but emphasized that she didn’t let it affect her professional life, choosing to focus on the completion of the film instead.
A Compassionate View of Twinkle Khanna
One of the most striking aspects of Shilpa’s interview was her mature and compassionate perspective toward Twinkle Khanna, who was accused of being involved with Akshay during their relationship. Shilpa stated, “What’s her fault if my man was cheating on me? There is no point blaming any other woman; it was entirely his fault.” This comment highlighted Shilpa’s grace in not directing anger at Twinkle, instead acknowledging that the betrayal was entirely Akshay’s responsibility.
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