Shilpa Shinde: I am not interested in acting in TV shows anymore

After a long drawn out battle with &TV and Binaefer Kohli, Shilpa Shinde says that acting on TV is not on her main agenda anymore. Has Indian television lost a talented actress? Time will tell. SpotboyE caught with her for an interview. Excerpts from the conversation that followed:

Let's start with Binaefer Kohli, who produces Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai...

I have actually blocked her number because she was very irritating and all our conversations were over mails during the last days of Bhabi Ji... OMG! She just doesn’t stop at all! She goes on and on. If she wants something to be done, she is the sweetest person.

How and when did things blow out of proportion?

Some officials in & TV changed--- and Benaifer took it in her own hands and took advantage of me. A lot of changes happened and I wanted to discuss with the new team that I can’t work like this. Benaifer interfered and said: “I am your producer, talk to me. What you want? We will sign a new contract if you have any problem.” Later I was okay with it. She agreed to the remuneration I had asked for and now she is telling people about me reporting late for work and throwing tantrums on the sets. She didn't even provide proper food during shoots (pauses).


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Go on...

Suddenly I get to know from the media that she is replacing me while I was still working with her! This was done to petrify me. I decided to quit. I would have worked if Binaefer had apologized.

When did you get a legal notice from them?

On March 13, I received a legal notice which stated that I have to join work within 48 hours and apologise to the media saying: “I had carried out a publicity stunt for myself.”. That’s when I decided to put my foot down and fight it in the court. On March 8, I had already informed CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes' Association) about me not shooting with them. These are the formalities which I need to maintain as a member of CINTAA. I got a call from them on March 17 to resolve the issue. Ideally, there should be 5 members each from both sides- Production house and CINTAA. But there were 12 people from Binaefer's side and only 3 from CINTAA. They didn’t even hear me out.

You made a statement at the press conference “It was like a gang rape, I wasn’t allowed to speak".....

I apologize for the word 'gang rape'; it was in bad taste. But now you know what I meant. I wasn’t allowed to speak at all. I showed them all the evidences and notices; and even the medical reports on which I was asking for termination, I was not keeping well then. 


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And then?

They said I had brought all 'manipulated papers'. Imagine my horror!

What was going through your mind when you decided to quit?

There is a very thin line between ego and self respect. This was a matter of self respect. I have done lot of hard work and have created that show. Initially, as it was a new channel, Bhabi Ji was not even promoted--- but it became popular. When I made this statement, Vikas Gupta (&TV's Head of Programming) said: “You have no right to say this." Their behavior towards me was very annoying. Even after giving my 100% to the show, all I got was disrespect and insult.

What about your co-actors? Did they support you?

They are still working with Binaefer, so I can’t really comment on their perspective. It has been my personal problem throughout. Everybody has their personal issues. Initially, when news broke about my unprofessionalism, I had told them to say the truth and not take sides. I wanted them to stop the rumours, but nobody came forward to say anything. So I thought I should keep quiet and fight alone (shrugs).


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You were replaced very soon after you said that Bhabi Ji... cannot run without you...

 I had to say it because Binaefer was sitting on my head. That’s how it works. Replacement can take place in a day if a channel wants. Everybody was surprised, that if I had been the troublemaker, why were they keen to take me back ? Isn’t it because I am the best? Binaefer even threatened Kapil Sharma’s team saying: “Don’t work with Shilpa."

And what about Krushna’s show?

I was approached by Kapil’s show before the Colors show (Krushna-Comedy Nights). I refused to do it. They approached me 5-6 times and told me ‘You’ll be the Queen of our show--- and this and that’. But I was not interested in their offer.

Now that Shubhangi (Atre) has replaced you and that too for the second time (earlier in Chidiya Ghar), what are your thoughts?

I think it is just a coincidence. I would like to give her a friendly advice: Don't mimic me. She is also an artiste and she should just do it her own way.


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Do you think, Shubhangi will become more popular than you as Angoori bhabhi?

I have no idea about this. Shashank Bali (director) is very good. He is the captain of the ship and he will surely take it to a new level.

Did the makers take an NOC from you before signing Subhangi?

No, they didn’t. Besides, Binaefer still has to pay me my dues.  Instead she tells me to compensate her for the damages she incurred due to my absence. What damages? The show was going on, it was me who was sitting at home.

You have burned bridges with many channels. How will you find work?

I am just chilling at home and relaxing. I am enjoying my life at the moment.


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Do you want the tempers to cool then look for a show?

 I am really not interested in acting in TV shows anymore. All shows are about chudail, bhoot, naagin. Who wants to do all that? I might as well become a producer. But I don’t want go in that field immediately. Let's see where destiny takes me.

Any creative pursuits?

I am into interior designing and fashion designing. I have my own workshops with 5-6 tailors. I also hold exhibitions. My sister lives in the US. I send her a lot of stuff which she exhibits there. I know how to engage myself.

How did your family react to the Bhabi Ji... fiasco?

My mom said: “Maine toh sher ka bachcha paida kiya hai”. She knows I am not wrong. I am short-tempered but when it comes to my self-respect, I won't take any nonsense.


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