After more than three decades in the industry, Shilpa Shetty Kundra says she has become increasingly selective about the projects she takes on, particularly as she balances her professional commitments with motherhood.

Speaking about her upcoming reality-format show Zee 5's Maa Hai Na, she says the concept appealed to her because of its focus on the relationship between mothers and children.

“This didn’t entail too much of my time. The beauty of doing reality TV is that you are able to film very fun content. I loved the fact that there was this angle of the bond between mothers and children — people who maybe haven’t been able to express themselves fully — finding that space through this show. We thought we’d just laugh through the show, but while filming, we all cried. There were moments where children were expressing things they had never said to their mothers before, and that was very beautiful to witness,” she shares.

Over the years, Shilpa has worn many hats — actress, television personality, entrepreneur and wellness advocate. More recently, projects such as Sukhee and Indian Police Force have seen her return to acting-focused roles.

When asked if she feels she has received due recognition as an actress and she says, “If audiences still expect more from me after 32 years, I genuinely take that as a compliment because it means they’re not bored of me yet. I had no formal acting training. I’m South Indian and honestly the first several years of my career went into just learning the language and understanding cinema. I think becoming an actor was destiny for me. In the ‘90s cinema was different and I carved my own niche through glamour, dance and screen presence. But today audiences and cinema have evolved. So, the fact that I can still remain relevant today feels like a blessing,” she says.

Despite her longevity in the industry, Shilpa says she continues to approach acting with the same commitment.

“I don’t know whether I’m a great actor or not. But I know that if someone comes to me with a role, I will give it everything I have. Acting is not a mere chore for me. It gave me recognition, fame, love and audiences who stood by me for years. So whatever I do now feels like an ode to them. Big role, small role — those things don’t matter to me anymore. What matters is whether the collaboration excites me creatively and whether I can entertain people honestly.”

For over two decades, Shilpa Shetty Kundra has been a passionate advocate of yoga and long before wellness became a social media trend, she championed yoga as a practice that nurtures both physical and mental well-being. With International Day of Yoga coming up tomorrow, Shilpa reflects on why she believes the ancient Indian practice is more relevant than ever in today’s fast-paced world.

At a time when yoga often finds itself packaged into Instagram reels, viral challenges and trending hashtags, Shilpa says, “People are jumping on to the trend wagon, but the ones who are just doing it for the fad, if they continue for a longer period, will see the benefits and become a fan. Whatever be the reason, just take it up. Especially for the younger generation — where anxiety has become such a commonly used term and social pressures are constantly increasing — if there is something that can genuinely make them stronger and more confident, it is yoga. While Westerners are literally making it their own, it belongs to our country. The origin is India and I can’t feel prouder as an Indian than to claim it and avail of its benefits.”

Shilpa shares, “When I started doing yoga, it was because the doctor had prescribed it. I had to strengthen my spine and my neck because I was struggling with spondylosis. Today, it has become my lifestyle.”

Ask Shilpa what aspect of yoga has helped her the most during the toughest phases of her life and she says, “Through my own experiences, I’ve learnt to take some time for myself, align my breath and centre myself. It has changed my outlook, my reactions and my perspective on things. My quest to live in the present moment is constant, and yoga helps me do that.”

One advice to others, she says, is to start pranayama. “I can’t emphasise that enough. I know you’re already breathing, but please become aware of your breath,” she shares.

Yoga isn’t about giving up on world pleasures, she says. “I am a yogini — a self-confessed yogini,” she laughs and adds, “I haven’t given up on my worldly pleasures. I enjoy my life. What yoga has taught me is balance. That’s what life is about—being able to maintain balance and not getting carried away. I love travelling and I enjoy life, but when I sit on that mat, I like to keep it simple.”

Bhujangasana

I still need my yoga teacher around while doing the Vrishchikasana.

Samisha has learnt to do the Surya Namaskar and she even knows the mantras.

Never bend your neck too low while using your phones as it damages your spine.

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.”

Three decades into the spotlight, Shilpa Shetty Kundra continues to juggle multiple roles — actor, entrepreneur, television personality and mother. In a conversation with us, the actress talks about how society places too much emphasis on age, raising children in the digital era and the woman she credits for shaping her outlook on life, her mother.

At a time when discussions around ageing, beauty standards and relevance continue to dominate narratives around women, especially in showbiz, Shilpa has a simple perspective. As she prepares to turn 51, she says, “I think too much importance is given to age in this country. When you watch Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, are you thinking about her age? When you watch Jennifer Lopez perform on stage, are you thinking about her age? No! For me, it’s not about how you choose to age; it’s about how you choose to live. I choose to give my body and mind discipline and, along with care and time – that reflects outwardly.”

Few actors have lived through the kind of scrutiny that Shilpa has over the years. Every day, a new controversy around her husband, Raj Kundra, makes headlines. Yet, she has consistently managed to appear composed in public — something she attributes not to strength alone, but discipline.

She says, “We all go through highs and lows in life. Yes, I’m also an actor, even if something is troubling me personally, I’m not being paid to show that on my face while I’m working. That is reserved for my private space and for the people who are my safe space. My attitude has always been very positive. If I step out for work, I want to do it to the best of my ability, regardless of what’s happening in my personal life. That work ethic comes from my parents. Both of them worked extremely hard and we only really saw them on weekends because they were constantly working for us.”

She adds, “I have absolutely been an overthinker. Yoga changed my life completely. It changed the way I think. Human beings constantly overthink. We’re always worrying about what if this happens next week or next month. And then half the things we spend months worrying about never even happen. I would waste so much time fretting. Yoga just made me more mindful and aware.”

Shilpa is soon going to be seen in a reality show Zee 5's Maa Hai Na, so naturally the conversation drifts towards motherhood — both as a daughter and now as a parent.

Talking about her bond with her mother, she says, “Every day I thank God for having her in my life. Even back in the day, people knew that if they wanted to mess with me, they’d have to deal with my mom first. She was my original momager. Even if professionally, I had managers, the rules were set by my mother. Shamita and I are both strong-willed because we’ve inherited that strength from her. She was a working woman who balanced family and career beautifully, and that was incredibly inspiring to watch while growing up.”

While she speaks lovingly about the simplicity of her own childhood, Shilpa admits parenting today comes with a completely different set of realities. Reflecting on raising children in the digital age, she says, “You can’t compare the current times we are in with the era we grew up in. We grew up very simply. If we needed information, we went and asked our parents. Today, kids have Google and AI. It’s fascinating and scary at the same time because this generation is very aware. Their perception and opinions are far more evolved than what we were at that age. My son is 14, and he can genuinely have conversations on a variety of topics and hold his own. The biggest difference I see is that we as parents, today give our children the space to have opinions. Back then, if we had opinions, our parents would just say, ‘We don’t care. Do what we say.’ And somehow that worked too.”

It’s Mother’s Day, and what better time to talk about the new reality show Maa Hai Na and the mothers starring in it? After making guest appearances on screen over the past two years and sparking public curiosity, Sunita Ahuja, wife of actor Govinda, is set to make her reality show debut with the upcoming Zee5 series.

Ahuja will participate in the celebrity cooking show alongside daughter Tina Ahuja. The series, hosted by Shilpa Shetty Kundra, is scheduled to stream in June.

Having already started shooting for the show, Ahuja tells mid-day her decision stems from a desire to create her own identity. “My honourable husband Govinda told me, ‘Go ahead and work. But don’t use my name to get ahead in life.’ I want to stand on my own feet without anyone’s support.”

Despite competing with several popular faces, Ahuja says she feels no pressure. “I don’t find anything challenging in life. Whatever I do I make sure it’s top notch,” she says

Asked whether she is open to more reality shows, Ahuja replies in her trademark candid style, “I have understood in the last two years that money is important, not love. Pyaar karke dekhliya 40 saal. Now, whatever work I will do, I will do it for money. So, I am open to doing any kind of show.”

In February, mid-day had reported that Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Jackie Shroff were set to reunite for a slice-of-life series (Life in a metro with ’90s stars, Feb 21). But it looks like there has been a casting change in the series, tentatively titled Coke. Sources close to the development have told us that Shetty has exited the project.

Apparently the actor’s exit comes down to scheduling conflicts. A source revealed, “Shilpa was excited about the material and the chance to collaborate with Jackie again after Jung [2000]. But the dates could not be aligned, given her existing commitments.”

The show, backed by Boong producers Shujaat Saudagar and Vikesh Bhutani, is expected to go on floors later this month.

With the timeline locked, the makers have moved swiftly to secure a replacement. And a strong performer at that — Shefali Shah. Word is that the actor is in advanced talks to headline the story. Another insider shared, “The makers needed someone who could bring gravitas to the part. Shefali was always on their wishlist. The conversations have been positive, and the teams are now finalising the paperwork and dates.”

mid-day reached out to Bhutani, who didn’t respond till press time.

In what could shape up to be an interesting on-screen pairing, Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Jackie Shroff are said to be in advanced talks to headline an Amazon Prime Video series. Sources indicate that the project is an eight-episode slice-of-life drama that explores urban relationships and second chances.

An industry insider told mid-day, “The idea is to mount an intimate show with strong writing, real locations, and minimal gloss. Both actors bring credibility and warmth, which is crucial for this world.” 

The script is said to be finalised, and the production team is currently conducting a recce in Mumbai and Pune. The unit plans to take the show on floors in March.

The insider added, “A 60-day window has been carved out for principal photography. The team is waiting for a go-ahead from actors on the dates.”

Earlier this year, YouTube hosted its annual FanFest in Mumbai to celebrate its biggest creators in beauty, comedy, gaming, music and more. In attendance were screaming fans, waiting to get face-time with their virtual heroes. Everything about this annual event was ‘Gen-Z coded’, except for one aberration. Making her debut among the hottest digital stars was 60-year-old filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan.

“I felt very weird to be there with teenagers running around. But after five minutes, I started to feel good. Some of the creators were barely 20 and making so much money. There’s something to learn from them. We just live in our film industry bubble. This world is far bigger,” says Khan.

Fully committing to the vibe of the event, Khan came in an oversized sweatshirt and did a quick jig to her popular song ‘Sheila Ki Jawaani’. The kids who pulled out their phones to capture the moment may not even be fully clued into Khan’s illustrious body of work. To them, she’s the fun YouTuber with famous friends they discovered last year.

“The data shows that my target audience is 18-25 years. Also, 49% of viewing is done on TV screens which means it’s becoming a dinner-time watch for families,” says Khan.

Viraj Sheth, co-founder and CEO of Monk-E, which represents leading influencers, says Khan’s cooking videos and daily-life vlogs have bridged the generation gap.

“She feels like a ‘cool-mom’ figure who’s self-aware and genuinely having fun. It shows that relatability and humour still beat filters and transitions,” he says. “She has cracked the format all YouTubers dream of: access to the biggest celebrities, tours of their homes and candid glimpses of them cooking.”

That said, with the rich and famous now voluntarily turning into podcasters or vloggers, access is no longer a premium commodity. But authenticity is. There’s an overload of celebrities showing us their skin-care regimen and secret smoothie recipes, and viewers instantly sniff out anything that feels disingenuous or performative. Khan understands this better than most.

“So many celebrities ask, ‘Can you pay for our hair and make-up?’ and I say, ‘Please don’t do this’. People want to see you as you are in your house. I don’t even get my own hair and make-up done. I come in normal clothes that I’ve bought online, and chappals. We start shooting from the time I ring their doorbell. Nothing is scripted, there are no retakes,” says Khan.

Thanks to her, we know which celebrity has the noisiest mixer-grinder or can’t turn on the gas. Khan ribs Ashneer Grover about having too many photos of himself in the house, musician Shankar Mahadevan for struggling with his state-of-the-art oven, and actor Sonu Sood for running out of paneer. 

“Even when we were shooting with Shilpa (Shetty), we burnt the cashews for the payasam. She said, ‘Let’s start again.’ I said, ‘Not a chance.’ This is the best content,” says Khan. She further humanizes her wealthy guests by gifting them humble household items — one can watch Karan Johar look excited about receiving a pressure cooker and induction stove.

The other crucial ingredient to Khan’s secret sauce is Dilip — her cook of 12 years who accompanies her to celebrity homes. Khan has unknowingly given us one of the greatest underdog stories of the internet. “Someone jokingly said, ‘He’s the country’s first nepo-cook’,” she laughs.

Viewers are deeply invested in Dilip’s rise, cheering on as he jets off to the Maldives on his first international trip or stars in a commercial with Shah Rukh Khan. One of the highest-watched videos on Khan’s channel is a tour of Dilip’s new home in his village in Bihar.

“It all started in my kitchen with me cooking my Yakhni pulav. I thought, oh god, now I have to do all the cutting and chopping too. So, I caught Dilip. Also, I needed to roast someone and this is how I actually talk to him,” she says.

“I don’t think he has fully understood what has happened, which is good. I don’t want him to become ‘dedh shaana’ (oversmart). But he’s very excited about the money he’s making. We’ve got him a chartered accountant now.”

And he must need one. Khan and Dilip have hit the endorsement jackpot with their fun Tom-and-Jerry-esque act. From clay face masks to dishwashing liquid, they’re selling it all. “I kid you not, we now get brands that want both of them, and not just Farah. It’s the everyday banter between them that brands see massive value in because it appeals across demographics,” says Sheth. Khan says she personally tests every brand before collaborating. “I tell all the brands, let’s be authentic about it. Whenever they don’t listen, the reel doesn’t do as well,” she adds.

The barrage of brand collaborations has sparked online chatter about Khan becoming one of the country’s highest-paid creators. Khan added fuel to it when she recently revealed on a podcast that she’s earning more as a content creator than she did from Bollywood.

“People are obsessed about this which is why I should not have said it. My son came and asked me, ‘Are you really worth this much!’ It’s all exaggerated. All I meant was that for all the films I’ve made so far, the IP doesn’t belong to me. I got a fee as a writer or director. But this YouTube channel is my IP. It belongs to me, and Qyuki Digital Media has a stake. There is something very empowering about that,” she says.

And to Dilip’s fans who are worried if he’s being fairly compensated, Khan ends by saying, “Please tell people that Dilip is very happy and don’t worry, I am a fair and generous person.”

(L-R) Ranjit Bindra with wife Tina, business partner Shilpa Shetty, and Raj Kundra

After nearly a decade as one of Mumbai’s most popular dining destinations, Bastian Bandra — owned by Shilpa Shetty and Ranjit Bindra — is closing its doors today. The restaurant has been known for its sumptuous seafood, vibrant atmosphere, and Arcane Affair that drew the city’s elite. But the city’s foodies won’t miss their favourite dish from the restaurant for too long because Shetty, on September 3, announced that she would be opening Bastian Beach Club in Juhu.

mid-day has learnt that Juhu’s sea-facing property, Sun-n-Sand Hotel, will house the actor’s newest restaurant. According to insiders, the deal was negotiated in April.

A source from the hotel tells us, “The pool area and one of the restaurants have been cordoned off for a while. On September 1, the area was shut down for guests in the hotel as well. The construction work has begun and will continue till October.”

The plan is to throw open Bastian Beach Club’s doors by November-December, in time for the holiday season. Meanwhile, Bastian At The Top in Dadar will operate as usual.

In her post, the actor and entrepreneur also revealed that the Bandra address would serve as the venue for her latest eatery, Ammakai, which will serve Mangalorean cuisine and will be an ode to her roots.

mid-day reached out to Sun-n-Sand Hotel, which confirmed its association with Bastian Beach Club. 

Twenty-five years ago, Dhadkan, starring Suniel Shetty, Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty Kundra, and directed by Dharmesh Darshan, became a hit, with its songs achieving immense popularity. While Dev (Suniel) and Anjali’s (Shilpa) love story in the film remained incomplete, 25 years later, the two actors reflect on the emotional rollercoaster behind the film’s scenes and share why Dhadkan strikes a chord with audiences even today.

Action works only when there is emotion. I have always backed my action with emotion, because then it works like magic at the box office. I was following the vision of director Dharmesh Darshan, and that made it far easier for me. We are well aware how Dev’s character came alive on screen. Dhadkan means the world to me because it’s keeping me alive through the third decade of my career. After the film, my life changed as an actor. Also, my approach changed, as I looked at every role with as much intensity and understood that acting is all about getting into the skin and putting your heart and soul into the character. I was never known to be a brilliant actor, but it was because of Dhadkan that people started believing that Suniel Shetty can act! The credit goes to our director, Dharmesh Darshan.

It wasn’t a scene that we shot first. We shot the most difficult song of my career, Dulhe Ka Sehra. I was sporting a blue lehenga. We were shooting in Film City, and my sister, who had just learned to put mehendi, did the full mehendi design on my hands with a sketch pen. She touched it up every two days because the shoot of the song went on for a good eight days. I remember for the bidaai scene, Dharmesh wanted me to cry in a particular way and look at Kiran ji (Kiran Kumar, who played her father). We did some 20 takes for that shot. Dulhe Ka Sehra went on to become a huge hit. I knew it was a film that many people would relate to.

I remember the scene when Suniel comes back, and we meet in his hotel room after the song Aksar Iss Duniya Mein. I tell him, ‘Iss janam mein toh kya, mein agle saat janam tak Ram ki ho chuki hoon.” And then, he says the iconic line, ‘Main tumhe bhool jau, yeh ho nahi sakta, aur tum mujhe bhool jao yeh main hone nahi doonga.’ I feel it could have been very cheesy if we hadn’t said it with conviction. It was a very complex scene.

Shilpa: I’m not pro remakes because I think it kills the whole essence and the soul of a film. But, if it had to be remade, maybe Alia Bhatt as Anjali could fit well with Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Ranveer Singh as Dev

Suniel: Only Dharmesh Darshan can do a good job with its remake, and Ahan (Shetty) can play my role, Dev

I know that I was the first choice for the film. Initially, I had to turn it down because things got delayed and my dates were clashing. Eventually, I did it purely because Dharmesh wanted me to.

For actor-businesswoman Shilpa Shetty Kundra, juggling her work along with the two loves of her life — son Viaan (12) and daughter Samisha (5) — comes “naturally as a woman”.

Currently busy with the launch of her new restaurant, which will be all about Udupi food, she celebrates Mother’s Day today with handmade cards from Samisha and a heartwarming message from Viaan. “I love being a mother more than an actor,” the 49-year-old professes, adding: “It’s like your heart is outside your body when you have your first child. I learnt (how to be a mum) on the job, like I did when I became an actor. I may not be the best actor, but I am very hard-working.”

This was a “360-degree change” in her after welcoming her firstborn in 2012: “People get paid maternity leave in many professions; but in our industry, if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. I barely worked for seven years after he was born — it was a conscious decision.”

Now, she has about 20 brands in her kitty, goes for events and motivational wellness sessions, and so on. “I try not to do a month-long outdoor project, but if I do, my kids come over on the weekend. Viaan doesn’t rely as much on me, but my daughter does. As a mother, I have to be conscientious about that,” she shares.

As for how she manages it all, Shilpa quips, “There’s a method to the madness. My team has 95% women, they all understand how to work around my schedule. Neither my kids nor my work suffers.”

I started working with Sonakshi in 2016. It started off as an artiste and manager relationship that turned into a friendship. Being a manager, the work never stops, pretty much everything is urgent. There are no specific weekend offs and you might end up working on a holiday. But working with her makes everything easier. The most challenging professional moment has to be around July-August of 2019 when we were shooting two films and had two releases and a reality show, all to be done in a period of two months.

I’ve been fortunate to work for the busiest man in the industry for 19 years now. The best part about my job, apart from having the best boss, is how challenging it is. Sir pushes me to be better, and I push him to do everything we can possibly do in one day, then it’s on to the next. Also, he is so disciplined in his personal and professional life, it filters down to everyone who works with him. And most importantly, he cannot work without having masti. So, we have a lot of fun while working.

I will complete 19 years of working with SRK this July. From pioneering marketing strategies for Ra.One (2011) to co-producing films such as Chennai Express (2013), Happy New Year (2014), and setting up Jawan (2023), I’ve driven key business ventures and films. I played a crucial role in establishing the commercial side of Kolkata Knight Riders initially. All the initiatives were supported and mentored by him.

I have been working with Shilpa for 16 years and it’s been a blessing. She was my first individual artiste as a manager. Earlier, I would have to go through her PA, but gradually there was the trust where she could call me directly. I would not call it a ‘job’ because I love doing this. Also, she has an all-women team. Both of us are mothers and she has always been supportive and understanding of my responsibilities as a mother. It is round the clock. We look out for each other. Also, it goes beyond professional.

The world is mesmerized by the youth and showbiz is no exception. A female actor’s shelf life is considered even lesser though things are slowly changing. It thus makes actor-dancer Meenakshi Seshadri’s comeback to Bollywood a brave move. Having relocated back to India from the US, Meenakshi now shuttles between Pune and Mumbai. The 90’s diva is optimistic that today content-driven cinema and series have gone past the age hurdle. Excerpts from a conversation…

Everyone has conspiracy theories around why I came back. Some ask if I am single. I have been private person always, even when I got married. They can continue to have an imagination. I worked in films for 16 years. I took a sabbatical for 28 years when I got married and moved to the US. My family is very supportive of my decision to come back to India. I have relocated here now, and I am looking forward to exploring avenues. My kids and husband continue to live in the US. I travel back and forth to spend time with them, or they come over.

My family is cut from a different cloth. They told me, ‘Go do your thing’. For me to come back to India at my age and believing I am going to take on the world, is because of my family’s support. It was always at the back of my mind that once the kids (my daughter is 25 and is working and my son is in college) grow up and become independent, I would come back. It wasn’t a sudden decision. You need people, friends, family, mentors in life. They knew that I never lost my passion for the entertainment industry, dancing or acting. I kept it alive in the US by becoming a dance teacher. I did many events as a performer.

I am quite philosophical. Though I was one of the top actors of Bollywood, I never chased fame or success. It has come to me just the way my first movie (Hero) came to me. I don’t miss the fame, riches or stardom. I miss working with like-minded people and doing creative things. The experience of a whole team working together and making a movie that explores your range as an actor, is what I miss.

I believe actions speak louder than words. If other women draw inspiration from me for coming back to India, restarting from scratch at 60, learning the tricks of the trade today (for instance social media), it’s great. I think I have been fortunate. I became active on social media just six months ago and the response has been amazing.

Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Amrita Singh, they all are still actively working and doing well. I see a new shift in showbiz here and it’s more interesting for women. Shaadi ho gayi, so you are no longer attractive is all very gheesa peeta concept. That the male audience will no longer fantasize about you, your figure isn’t the same, and you will no longer look sexy…all these stereotypical notions are being trashed today. Everybody’s questioning it. I am a mother, I am 60, how do I work around it. I will find a way. I have excellent experiences reconnecting with my peers from the past and even meeting the newer lot today. I am close to Jackie (Shroff), I have met Anil (Kapoor) a couple of times, and they are always so warm and well-spoken. The south artists are also very real. There have been a couple of people who have ghosted me, not returned my calls, cancelled appointments at the last minute and not apologized…it’s bad behaviour from the younger generation. I stay away from these people.

It’s not about male vs female, but the fact is that when a woman embraces motherhood, it needs a lot of balancing. I am mighty impressed by actresses who are managing to do the balancing act like Shilpa Shetty and Alia Bhatt. It's a tough profession for men and women and these women are paving the way for others. Actors today are so intelligent. They are not just acting. They are building a brand. When Anushka Sharma became a producer, she was one of the first to do it. I was very impressed by her foresightedness. We need to excite our brains as actors.

I can never be Madhuri and she can never be me. If people say, ‘Why don’t you work on your hair and skin more, or get a face-lift’, main bura nahi manti. When people say mean things like you look like a ghost, demon and call me old and ask, ‘why did you leave your family’…then it is not about me. It says a lot about their mindset. I distance myself from these kinds of people. If I start judging myself because of someone else’s opinion, then it’s a problem. I have a very high opinion of myself. I also feel people are judgemental of women because they have higher expectations from us. People think we wake up beautiful.

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Mumbai: Businessman Raj Kundra sold his Juhu flat, valued at Rs 80 crore, to his actor wife Shilpa Shetty for Rs 38 crore in 2022 after the ED (Enforcement Directorate) initiated a probe against him in a money laundering case.

The ED suspects it was an internal arrangement of the couple to avoid the property’s attachment and it believes that Kundra is still the flat’s real owner, said sources.

On Thursday, the ED issued a press release stating that Kundra received 285 bitcoins from the mastermind and promoter of the Gain Bitcoin ponzi scam, Amit Bhardwaj (now deceased), for setting up a bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine. “The said bitcoins were sourced from the proceeds of crime collected by Bhardwaj from gullible investors. Since the deal didn’t materialize, Kundra is still in possession and enjoyment of 285 bitcoins, which are presently valued at more than Rs 150 crore,s” said the agency.

The ED believe that the bitcoins are still in Kundra’s possession but since he is not disclosing it, the agency is attaching his properties whose value is equivalent to that of the bitcoins. The ED is inquiring about Kundra’s other properties after attaching his bungalow in Pune, along with equity shares in his name and Shetty’s Juhu flat, collectively worth Rs 97.8 crores.

The attached properties are not directly connected to the proceeds of the crime and the ED may call Shetty to get her statement in the case.

Kundra and Shetty’s PR refused to comment on the allegation related to the Juhu flat transaction. The couple’s advocate, Prashant Patil, said Kundra had not received a single bitcoin as alleged by the ED. “There is no prima facie case made out against my clients Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty Kundra. We have faith in a fair investigation. We stand committed to cooperating with the authorities as and when required,” he said.

Earlier, Kundra had told the ED in his statement that he had provided consultancy services to Bhardwaj for bitcoin mining. He had said the Bhardwaj brothers—Amit and Ajay—through his bitcoin wallet, had transferred the cryptocurrency into another wallet and that he didn’t know the recipient.

The Pune-based Bhardwaj brothers promoted Variabletech Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based company, and controlled gainbitcoin.com and lured investors by promising good returns. Through gainbitcoin.com, the brothers collected cryptocurrency equivalent to Rs 6,600 crore from investors, defaulted on the payment and concealed the ill-gotten bitcoins in obscure online wallets. The investors filed police cases against the Bhardwaj brothers at various places a few years ago, based on which the ED registered the money laundering case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has allegedly attached properties belonging to Raj Kundra and his wife, actress Shilpa Shetty, worth about Rs 97.79 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with a Bitcoin investment fraud case. According to ED sources, the attached properties include a residential flat in Juhu, currently registered under Shilpa’s name, a residential bungalow in Pune, and equity shares in Kundra’s name all worth about Rs 97.79 crore.

Kundra, who spent two months in jail in connection with a pornography case, was granted bail in September 2021. The latest action by the ED is part of a money laundering case filed against Kundra based on multiple FIRs registered by Maharashtra and Delhi Police against M/s Variable Tech Pvt Ltd, including Amit Bhardwaj, Ajay Bhardwaj, Vivek Bhardwaj, Simp Bhardwaj, Mahender Bhardwaj, and several multi-level marketing agents.

The FIRs allege that the accused collected significant funds in Bitcoins, approximately worth Rs 6,600 crore, from the public with false promises of a 10 per cent monthly return in Bitcoins.

According to ED sources, Kundra received 285 Bitcoin from Amit, the mastermind and promoter of the Gain Bitcoin Ponzi scam, for setting up a Bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine. These Bitcoins were sourced from proceeds of crime collected by Amit from unsuspecting investors.

Despite the deal falling through, Kundra did not return the 285 Bitcoins, presently valued at over Rs. 150 crores. Earlier search operations led to the arrest of three individuals—Simpy Bhardwaj, Nitin Gaur, and Nikhil Mahajan—who are currently in judicial custody. The main accused, Ajay and Mahendra, are still evading law enforcement. This marks the second attachment in the case, with earlier properties worth Rs. 69 crores being attached by the ED.

Amid struggling while standing on our heels and balancing on one leg, we remind ourselves how to recruit our muscles correctly; Shilpa Shetty, in turn, reminds us to train attention to our breath appropriately. This fitness icon, we quickly learn, has truly nabbed the ability to integrate physical and mental fitness

It’s what Shetty later tells us too, as we get talking about her athletic practices. “Chance pe dance,” she says with her quintessential laugh, letting us in on the fact that since she had to miss her practice on the given day to make herself available for this conversation, she took the opportunity to meditate when she could.

Laymen would wonder how much five minutes of meditative work could contribute to keeping Shetty—two years shy of turning 50 years old—looking better than many do in their 30s. In the same vein, they’d ponder about the effectiveness of the 15-minute bit-sized workout routines that many media houses conjure up and sell as ‘Shilpa’s fitness regimen’, based on an innocuous picture she may share on social media.

Just as we get on the mat to do ‘some’ yoga with Shetty—well aware that the assorted exercises will do nothing to contribute to our wellness—the actor knows that the sprinkling of content online may do little to address the needs of confounded viewers. It’s precisely why she discusses the importance of learning about the science of fitness, on more occasions than one.

“I want to befriend people who are fit, because a fit person is one who is working on themselves, is consistent, and respects his or her body. A person who respects himself will respect me. A fit person is not someone who only looks lean; it is someone who takes the time out to understand what they need to feed their bodies to feel a certain way,” she says, adding that one aspect that “irritates” her when it comes to her portrayal as a fitness icon is how frivolously people used the word ‘blessed’ when discussing her athletic prowess.

“People think it comes easy to me. Raj [Kundra, husband] has been privy to the fact that I can put on weight, like any normal person does. After a certain age, you deal with hormonal issues, and [are] perimenopausal. Many women [endure] it, and I am no different. I have a full-time job, and am a ‘full-time mother’ with kids who have an eight-year age gap. People think it’s easy for me to contort my body, but I still struggle with some asanas. For example, an asana like the paschimotanasan is so simple, but it’s still one I can’t get into as easily as I’d like to. I too have issues with being consistent. Raj [Panigrahi, trainer] has seen me cry with frustration. But, you need to have the will to learn and put in the time. If people call me blessed, it’s because I am blessed with the ability to believe that yoga can cure me.”

It was following her stint at Big Brother, where the world saw her practice yoga routinely during her stay in the house, that Shetty knew she wanted to be an advocate for the discipline. Lamenting that the meditative form rarely draws young individuals, she says, “People think you should do yoga as you grow older. But, yoga will slow down the ageing process in the first place.” Pointing to herself, she laughs, “The proof is in the pudding!”

This is one of those rare occasions when she attaches her physical appeal to her wellness practice. “When I began to practice yoga, people would compliment me on the way I look, which is shallow. I wanted to focus on how it made me feel, and how I achieved that. I believe in the science of yoga, and adhere to ayurvedic nutritional practices. Yog a is a deep-rooted science that can change your alignment. Hours of meditation can put you off medication. How we continue to be apathetic to such a great gift for quick fixes [is beyond me].”

Five years after we first broached the subject of wellness with Shetty, it is evident that her ability to integrate her approach towards physical and mental wellness is superior to many.

“It’s not just about exercise; it’s about how you live, what you say, how you think, and how you eat. I want to live my life like people did 70 years ago—eat when you are hungry, and chew your food 32 times. They say, you should drink your food, and eat your water.”

In the last few years, the yogic postures that filled Shetty’s social media feeds began to be punctuated with images of her lifting weights. She shares that resistance training is something she turned to at the age of 43.

“As you age, you begin to lose muscle mass. Also, weight-training is important when you want your jeans to fit in a certain way, and want your glutes and quads to appear more shaped. I take to it for my cinematic outings too, like I did while working on Indian Police Force. I wanted my kicks to look powerful enough. Of late, my approach to fitness involves weight training, and goal-oriented yoga. I want to do a handstand. In a few years, I will be 50. At 60, I want to be the best that I have been. By then, perhaps, I’ll start walking on my hand! Every year, Raj and I set goals on what we want to achieve, and that plays a big role [in retaining my athleticism].”

A beautiful family, a thriving business, a lavish lifestyle — it came down like a pack of cards for Raj Kundra on September 21, 2021. That’s when the businessman was arrested for the alleged creation and distribution of pornographic films through apps. Three years later, the 48-year-old still awaits normalcy. 

“The perception is made; damage is done,” Raj tells us. He elaborates on how it hurts to be termed the ‘porn king’ on social media. “It happened because I’m married to a celebrity (actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra),” he says, adding, “I feel they (trolls) aren’t getting at me, but my wife and kids. It’s unfair that Shilpa had to bear the brunt of it. You attack me, no issues; not my family.” Despite all his efforts to “delete and block trolls”, Raj and his family face negativity online. “The last thing I want is my wife and kids reading terms like this. The trolls don’t know the facts,” he adds. 

The UK-born businessman claims he got involved because his company provided services to a company called Kenrin, owned by his brother-in-law. And Kenrin owns the app Hotshots, which came under the scanner. “Gehna Vasisth (actor who was also arrested in the same case) claimed that cops forced her to give a statement. It would have been easy for her to say ‘Raj ne karaya’ and walk free. But she didn’t, and I appreciate that,” he asserts.

Raj acted in and produced UT 69 (2023), a film based on his experiences during the trial. He continues to wait for justice. “[Now] I am waiting for my discharge, clean chit to come. My case is at a point where it’s reserved for order. I got bail from the lower court, so I’m fighting from there. Whatever I have been accused of, I am not guilty of any of it,” he ends.

Having ventured into the OTT space with Rohit Shetty’s Indian Police Force recently, actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra is all praise for the medium. She says, “When you are going theatrical, there’s a lot of pressure on whether the role or that kind of content will be accepted. OTT, on the other hand, allows artistes and filmmakers to take risks.”

While the web space brings with it more scope and liberty to experiment, the 48-year-old still has her reservations while picking scripts. “I want my kids to be able to watch my content. So, I always do family-oriented stuff. I am one of the few artistes who are very particular even about kissing on screen. I have never done it. I am clear about what I can and can’t do.”

A significant advantage of working in web projects is that one gets to operate without the pressure of the box-office. And Kundra experienced that firsthand when her last big-screen outing, Sukhee, found its audience on OTT after a dismal box-office run.

“[While doing web shows,] I feel like I can throw caution to the wind and do interesting stuff without being judged by the box-office collections,” says the actor, who feels one’s personal growth reflects in their professional graph too — which is what is happening with her right now.

“There was a time when I did glamorous films, and then I did serious cinema with Dhadkan (2000), Dus (2005), Life In A... Metro (2007),etc. Just when I was starting to understand the craft, I got married and took a sabbatical. Now, I feel like I am rediscovering myself. That’s why, people saw a new Shilpa in Sukhee,” she ends.

Reinvention is the key to her 31-year career, believes Shilpa Shetty Kundra. She advises to change with the changing times. “I have done television, YouTube, radio, started my own app, and invested in Bastian. A web series was the next medium to connect with the audience,” says the actor as she makes her web series debut with Rohit Shetty’s Indian Police Force. And she has a fierce avatar to boot. Shilpa plays Tara Shetty, a no-nonsense cop in the Sidharth Malhotra and Vivek Oberoi-starrer.

“This is the best debut I could have thought of. It’s a Rohit Shetty [show]. I am a Shetty playing a Shetty in another Shetty’s world.”

The actor plays the first female cop in Rohit’s elaborate cop-verse. The role brings with it pride and responsibility that as a woman in a man’s world, she is paving the way for her female peers. “I have to give credit to Rohit. He had an image for the character and he treated it like that, without gender bias. Even during an altercation scene with Sidharth, my character doesn’t scream; she goes for him with power and punch. Initially, I was unable to do this series because of dates. But I moved things around because I couldn’t have passed it up. Tara Shetty is a badass, speaks her mind, and is a woman in power. She is called Selfish Shetty in the series.”

For Shilpa, Tara is the goal she didn’t know she had when she, at 17, turned actor to make some pocket money. The actor, who debuted with Baazigar (1993), remembers, “I was a middle-class girl looking to earn a salary. I wasn’t looking for parts, and did whatever came to me. I made pocket money that was bigger than my pocket. My understanding of acting came only after 10-12 films. I learnt what not to do seeing the bad work I did in the first five years.” Today, she is proud at how far she has come. 

Portraying Tara is a turning point for her as the character holds her own in a male bastion. “I have a hunger in my belly for such roles. Now, I have the maturity to play this character. I want people to know that now Shilpa Shetty talks business and when she does a project, it’s gonna be good!”