I’ve never craved for fame: Shilpa Shirodkar

After a hiatus of more than a decade, the Angna Mein Baba Belle, Shilpa Shirodkar, tells us why she quit her Bollywood career.

You have been away from Bollywood for more than a decade. Where were you?
Shilpa: After completing my last movie, Gaja Gamini (which released in 2000) I got married to Aparesh Ranjit, who is a banker. Then we went to Netherlands for a year and then New Zealand for two years.

In December 2003, our daughter Anushka was born. We later settled in London where we stayed for 7 years before returning to India, two years back.

Has life changed over the years?
Shilpa: Life has certainly changed a lot. I rediscovered myself during my stint abroad. Now I am a full-time mom and I want to be there for Anushka. We moved back because I feel that it is very important for our daughter to stay closer to her family. We want to bring her up with the same value system that we were brought up with.

Did you ever miss not being in the glamour world?
Shilpa: I never craved for fame. Honestly, more than missing the limelight, I missed being busy, when I was abroad. It wasn’t easy for me to sit at home after working every single day since I was a teenager.

So, I did a hairdressing course from Winters Hairdressing Academy while I was in Auckland and became a professional hair dresser. Later I decided to take up a corporate job and worked with Dun & Bradstreet as a credit controller for more than two years. I quit the job when I was pregnant.

Are you in touch with any one from the industry?
Shilpa: No, though I keep meeting Madhoo and Madhuri Dixit as our kids go to the same school.

Are you planning a comeback?
Shilpa: Yes, I am going to be back with a bang very soon.

Friends forever
Jackie Shroff, actor
I have worked with Shilpa in films such as Return of Jewel Thief, Dil Hi Toh Hai and Bandish. It has always been a delight to work with her.

She is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met...extremely talented yet grounded. It will be a pleasure to have such a fine actor making a comeback to the industry.

Madhoo, actor
Shilpa and I bonded really well during the shooting of Pehchaan (1993). She is a giggle goth like me and therefore we connected very well.

I became really good friends with her and remained in touch with her throughout, even while she was in London. She is a not a co-artist but a friend. She is a very warm person.

Factfile
Name: Shilpa Shirodkar
Age: 43
Movies Done:42
Acted till: 2000
Known for: Kishen Kanhaiya, Hum , Aankhen, Pehchaan, Gopi Kishan Bewafa Sanam, Mrityudand
Current profile: Homemaker