Following a string of Hindi films that failed to impress the audiences or get the cash registers ringing, audiences have shown a growing interest in exploring regional language movies. 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, Kundra believes it’s not fair to make comparisons.

“It is a very difficult time for films, in general. You can’t say that Hindi films are inferior to films from different languages,” she continues, “The audiences have become a little fastidious. Also, the fans in the South are a little more fanatical, so they really will venture out, plus the ticket prices are much lower [there].”

Elaborating on why the film business has become unpredictable now, she cites Pathaan, which has collected over Rs. 1,000 crore, as an example. “It has broken records. So, you really don’t know what’s going to work with the audiences or what will lure them to theatres. Actors all over are putting their best foot forward to impress them. As long as that’s the intent, we’ll 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 says she never planned to take up so much work after the sabbatical. But, after seeing the “challenging and inviting roles being written for women”, she couldn’t resist. “It’s going to be an interesting gamut of emotions, characters and movies this year,” says Kundra, who will be seen in the film Sukhee and web series Indian Police Force.

When asked whether setbacks from her comeback films affect her, she reveals that she does not take the “onus or the pressure of box office results”. “You’ve delivered the baby. Now whatever or however that child turns out to be, you’ve got to accept it with all your heart. It still is your baby,” she ends.