Shilpa Shetty on Hungama 2 and Nikamma not working: Nobody came out saying that I was bad in the film, so it’s fine

Following a string of Hindi films that have failed to impress the audience or get the cash registers ringing, audiences have shown a growing interest in exploring regional language films. Also, as the pan-India phenomenon continues to gain momentum, actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra, 47, feels fortunate to be starring in a multilingual film.

When asked about the ongoing debate between Bollywood and regional language films, Shilpa believes it’s not fair to draw comparisons. She explains, “It is a very difficult time for films, in general. You can’t say that Hindi films are less, or inferior to other films from different languages. My perspective is that films are being churned out and the audiences have become a little fastidious. Also, the fans in South are a little more fanatical, so they really will venture out, plus the ticket prices are much lesser [there].”

Elaborating on why film business has become extremely unpredictable, she cites Pathaan, which has collected over ₹1000 crore, as an example. “It has broken all records of all times. So, you really don’t know what’s going to work with the audiences and lure them to theatres. Actors all over are just putting in their best foot forward and want to impress the audiences. As long as that is the intent, we will still end up making good films,” says the actor, who returned to films after a hiatus with Hungama 2 (2021) and Nikamma (2022).

Making an interesting revelation, the mum of two shares she never planned to take up so much work after the break she took.

“I thought I’d do maybe one film or a web series as an outing, once in two years. But the parts that are out there for women are so challenging and inviting. I’m still taking baby steps. This year it’s going to be an interesting gamut of emotions, characters and movies, so I’m really looking forward to the audience’s warming up to yet another time,” says Shilpa, who will next be seen in the film Sukhee and web series Indian Police Force.

But the fact that both her comeback films were panned by the audiences and critics, do such setbacks affect her? “I don’t think about it only. I just know that every film comes with its own destiny. And nobody came out saying that, ‘Oh, Shilpa was bad in the film’. As long as that doesn’t happen, I am fine,” she quips, adding, “Also, once I finish my job as an actor, I forget about the film. I don’t take that onus or that pressure [of the box office result]. You’ve delivered the child. Now whatever or however that child turns out to be, you’ve to accept it with all your heart and it still is your baby.”

That being said, Shilpa asserts that how the way she reacted to criticism in the 90s to now has changed a lot as not only films, but when audiences have evolved with time, and they have an opinion on movies and the performances they watch on screen.

“I take criticism on my chin. I’m someone who is constantly wanting to reinvent myself, be a better version as an actor and as a person. I use social media also to my advantage and take healthy criticism. Some of these keyboard warriors are there because they are so unhappy in their lives that somewhere they want to give us also some unhappiness. Even to them I say, ‘Bring it on’. If that gives you happiness, I am even willing to take that in my stride. But, constructive criticism is something that I am always willing to pay attention to and work towards making myself better. It’s been really hard in these three decades, but to still be relevant is the biggest high. It’s a big tick on my check list, so I am happy with just that,” she wraps up.

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