Shilpa Shetty claims, ‘If not for rejections I wouldn't have lasted so long in showbiz’

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Shilpa Shetty, Bollywood actor and reality show judge, said she faced a tough time in making her footing in the film industry, but that never stopped her from working hard. "I always felt I am doing the right work. I am hard working. I hide under sofa when I see my old films. Back then in films I had blonde hair, used to wear blue lenses and red lipstick. I wonder how I got opportunities. I think it was all destiny. There is no successful person who hasn't faced failure. The more you get rejected you rise and give your best," Shilpa said during a session at the 20th FICCI Frames.

Shilpa, who started her Bollywood journey with "Baazigar", said the success of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer did not help her much in getting good roles. "I did not feel people were accepting me as an actor. Maybe I wasn't that good actor. Even after doing films like 'Phir Milenge' and 'Dhadkan', I never got an award. I felt rejected and bad. "But I kept working hard. There was hunger in my belly... I feel if not for those rejections I wouldn't have lasted so long," she added.

Shilpa said her winning stint in international reality show "Big Brother" played an important role in her career. "'Big Brother' was a beautiful moment...When I was offered 'Big Brother' I had no clue about the show. There was certain sense of rejection that I felt to cut away from here and do something away from the country. 

"They were paying me well and I was like let's try. I was prepared to be rejected there also. But every week I got stronger. First time I won something, and I was shocked. I feel there is poetic justice and I believe in it," she said. 

Shilpa said she now feels content with whatever she has achieved in her life. "I have completed 25 years and I feel the kind of love I am getting today is more as compared to then when I was actively working in films. I don't remember how I became an actress I have forgotten that journey. I feel we are born for a purpose." 

After taking a sabbatical from films, Shilpa shifted her focus towards imparting knowledge on health and wellness. "I am focusing on it. I am aware that maybe 40 per cent people cuss me and I am okay as there are some who wait for me to share things about health and wellness." The 43-year-old actor, however, is willing to make a comeback to movies. "I love acting. If I hadn't done TV then maybe I would have done films. After I had my son I consciously decided to be with him and so I did not do films. If I had to do a film then I had to be away for a longer period of time from my son so I did not want to do that.

"TV is gratifying. With TV I am able to connect and entertain. Due to TV, I like the fact that people like me as Shilpa Shetty and not some character of a film. The power of small screen is big as biggest of stars come to TV to promote their film," she said.

(With PTI inputs)