Shilpa Shirodkar Recalls Losing Out Chaiyya Chaiyya To Malaika Arora: ‘Farah Khan Thought I Was Too Fat For The Song’

Former actress Shilpa Shirodkar recalled she was replaced by Malaika Arora in the song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ because Farah Khan thought she was too fat for it!

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Shilpa Shirodkar Recalls Losing Out Chaiyya Chaiyya To Malaika Arora: ‘Farah Khan Thought I Was Too Fat For The Song’
Former actress Shilpa Shirodkar is best known for her work in films like ‘Kishen Kanhaiya’, ‘Prateeksha’, ‘Aankhen,’ ‘Gopi Kishan’ and others. Recently, she made headlines after she talked about being called fat in the early 90s and stated that if she would have made her debut in films today, she may not have found any work. Shilpa also revealed she lost the iconic song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ to Malaika Arora because Farah Khan thought she was too fat to be featured in the track.

Speaking with Times Of India, Shilpa recalled getting body-shamed and said,  “If I had to debut in today's time I don't think I would get work. Imagine in the 90s they called me fat, abhi God knows what they would call me.” Further, while talking about losing out on Chaiyya Chaiyya, she explained, “Farah Khan had come with the song and she said they were considering me for it. But then they thought I was too fat so they opted for Malaika.”

The Bewafa Sanam actress also spoke about changes she witnessed in the film industry over the years and asserted that, unlike her days when directors would help actors, now the competition is so fierce that everyone has to come prepared with no second chance. ALSO READ: Shilpa Shirodkar Becomes The FIRST Bollywood Celeb To Get COVID-19 Vaccine; Actress Shares A Picture Saying ‘Here I Come 2021’


Shilpa Shirodkar is the elder sister of former actress Namrata Shirodkar who is married to South superstar Mahesh Babu. Shilpa quit films after getting married to UK-based banker Aparesh Ranjit in 2000. 

In 2013, she made her comeback to acting after a 13-year hiatus with the Zee TV show Ek Mutthi Aasmaan. Her second television show was ‘Silsila Pyar Ka’ which aired on Star Plus in 2016. Shilpa also made a comeback to films with ‘Guns of Banaras’ which was released in 2020.