Shamita Shetty on being a celebrity sibling: I learned from Shilpa’s mistakes

Actor Shamita Shetty says that having sister Shilpa Shetty Kundra as part of the film industry, actually worked in her favour.

Shamita Shetty, who remained under the shadow of her sister, actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra, for a long time, is happy that she has finally managed to create her own identity. She is excited to make a comeback with a web series after a hiatus of almost nine years. The actor says it’s “natural” for her to feel nervous. She adds, “I believe that one has to be convinced with what they are doing and I have got to learn from every opportunity that has come my way.”

Celebrity sisters Shilpa Shetty and Shamita Shetty. (Yogen Shah)

Recalling her initial days in the industry, Shamita says she was constantly compared with her sister and it took quite a while for things to change. She says, “It’s difficult when so many people are talking about this pressure of being a celebrity sibling, and you somewhere get lost and don’t know how to deal with it.”

Stating that she shares a “strong bond” and “great equation” with her elder sister, Shamita adds that having Shilpa as part of the film industry has only worked in her favour. “There was so much she could advise me on and ensured that I didn’t make the [same] mistakes that she did when she joined films. There is so much that I have learnt from Shilpa. She also didn’t come from any filmi background, so I took lessons from her mistakes,” shares Shamita.

The actor, who has worked in films such as Mohabbatein (2000), Zeher (2005) and Mohabbat Ho Gayi Hai Tumse (2006), feels that an actor has to let go of these comparisons and focus on his or her work. “At the end of the day, everyone has an opinion. If we are just going to start living our lives based on what people have to think about us, we will lead a very sad life. So, I’ve never focused on people’s opinions and it’s doesn’t really matter to me,” says Shamita.

On her return to the tube, Shamita adds, “I believe that one has to be convinced with what they are doing and I have got to learn from every opportunity that has come my way.”

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