Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; February 4, 2022)

Shamita Shetty feels that her recent stint on Bigg Boss has helped her step out of her sister, Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s shadow. The actress, who found love during the OTT version of the show, is now looking for interesting acting offers. In a candid chat, she spoke about her journey on the reality show, her feud with co-contestant Tejasswi Prakash and wedding plans. Excerpts:

Inside the Bigg Boss 15 house recently, you expressed the desire to get married this year. the cards?
This is just my way of manifesting something that I want. During the pandemic, I realised that it was time to find a companion as it was getting very lonely for me. So yes, I want to get married, have babies and also do a lot of work. I want the universe to make all these things happen for me. On my birthday (February 2), Raqesh planned a surprise for me. After a long time, I celebrated my birthday with my companion. I am happy and grateful to be out of the Bigg Boss house after nearly six months, and I am excited about my journey from here on.

In the finale, your eviction seemed to come as a shock to you. Were you expecting to lift the trophy?
I will be lying if I say that I wasn’t disappointed with my eviction. I really couldn’t understand it, and I expected to be in the top two. But when I got out of the house and heard people cheering for me, it was overwhelming. The kind of love that I am receiving from people outside the house now, I think that is my victory. There is no point in winning the trophy and having people question it.

How do you look back at the age-shaming incident involving Tejasswi Prakash, who called you aunty?
When you stand for women’s empowerment, you have to be careful about what you say and how you say it to another woman. When that comment was made (aunty uss pe chadh gayi), I was playing a certain character, and I was a woman performing a task. I have given my 100 per cent to every task I performed. I don’t know what Tejasswi was trying to say or imply, but given the situation, it was wrong. Her true colours would come out in the tasks. I always saw the worst in her every time she was pushed into a difficult situation or wasn’t given what she expected. Yes, I am my nephew and niece’s aunt, but in what context was I called an aunt on national television? She was unapologetic about it, and even after she had apologised, she was trying to justify it. It shows her upbringing and not mine. Anyway, I have forgiven her for saying it.

During the show, you were heard saying that you want to step out of your sister’s shadow. Have you been able to achieve that?
Absolutely! As I said, my victory is something else. I have managed to do what I wanted to by going inside the house. I have received more than I expected. I have surprised myself.

Besides films, you acted in a web show before you signed this reality show. Do you think this stint will help you get better acting offers?
I hope it does. This is something I want, but there is no point running after something if that is not in my destiny. I enjoy acting and would love to do web series. I hope somebody out there believes in me enough to come to me with something nice. In fact, if a good TV show comes my way, especially a finite series, I would love to give it a shot.