As Bollywood navigates shifting audience preferences and the growing influence of OTT platforms, Shilpa Shetty Kundra believes the economics of filmmaking have changed dramatically. The actor says the industry’s current slowdown has prompted both filmmakers and actors to rethink their choices.

“The industry is going through a little bit of a lull also because they’d rather not take the onus or the risk, and just do OTT. I don’t blame them. The whole mathematics of making a film, the costing, all of that, has changed,” says Shilpa.

Having spent over three decades in the industry while balancing films, TV and entrepreneurship, the actor says she is now more selective about the projects she takes on. “I don’t want to compromise too much on what I want to do because I’ve been there, done that for a very long time. I want to justify it when I’m seen on screen,” she says.

One of the reasons she is keen on returning to theatres is personal. “My children haven’t seen me in a theatre. That’s why I want to do a film that gets a theatrical release,” says Shilpa, referring to her son Viaan, 14, and daughter Samisha, 6.

She adds, “My son watched Sukhee (2023), but it was in a preview theatre. I hope I get something that’s like the films we used to make earlier.”

Reflecting on the release of Sukhee, the actor says the film did not get the theatrical reach it deserved. “It released at a time when we didn’t get enough theatres. It was such a disservice to the movie. But OTT is a great platform because people can discover a film at their own time.”

Even as she acknowledges the reach of OTT platforms, Shilpa, who will next be seen hosting Maa Hai Na, says her goal is clear: “I’m aiming for a film with a theatrical release, so my kids can watch me on screen.”