Showing posts with label Shilpa Shetty son. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shilpa Shetty son. Show all posts
I’m aiming for a film with a theatrical release, so my kids can watch me on screen-Shilpa Shetty
9:57 AM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 7, 2026)
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.”
When you watch Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, are you thinking about her age?-Shilpa Shetty
8:26 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 30, 2026)
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.
‘I choose to give my body and mind discipline’
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.”
‘We all go through highs and lows in life’
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.”
‘People knew that if they wanted to mess with Shilpa, they’d have to deal with her mom first’
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.”
‘It’s fascinating and scary to see how aware the kids of today’s generation are’
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.”
My team has 95% women, they all understand how to work around my schedule-Shilpa Shetty
8:07 AM
On Mother’s Day today, actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra opens up about how she juggles work with being a mum
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 11, 2025)
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.”
My father, who didn’t even like animals that much, cried the most when we lost our first pet-Shilpa Shetty
3:04 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 11, 2024)
It takes an army to get Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s fur babies to pose with her. Just when her dog, Truffle, finally gives in and settles in her lap, her cat Simmba decides to take off! As the actor sits with us for a special National Pet Day shoot, she recalls how Truffle entered their lives.
“We surprised Viaan (her son) on his 10th birthday with a miniature poodle. She is everything I manifested in a pet. She is disciplined and fitness conscious like me. In the morning, she always needs her badams,” the Indian Police Force actor tells us, adding, “She’s quite human-like, but human beings don’t love as unconditionally.”
Kundra has had furry companions since she was a teenager. “Initially, my father didn’t want a pet. I remember Shamita (Shetty, sister-actor) was so fond of animals that we would sneak in abandoned dogs, storks and all kinds of little creatures. Once, our father found three kittens in the attic and threatened us by saying, ‘Either the pet or me’. My mother, Shamita and I just looked at each other and said, ‘The pet!’ That’s something we laugh about till date,” the 48-year-old shares, right before her daughter Samisha chimes in to keep Truffle in check.
“Behave, Truffle, otherwise I won’t talk to you,” the four-year-old says, and we all burst out laughing!
The actor believes it’s impossible to not get attached to these precious furballs. “My father, who didn’t even like animals that much, cried the most when we lost our first pet. He even organized a send-off ceremony. That’s just how pets are; they end up creating that space in your life,” she wraps up.
I can go out and work, my son doesn’t feel I am ignoring him-Shilpa Shetty
8:24 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 6, 2022)
Shilpa Shetty Kundra has been taking up one project after the other. The 47-year-old has Sukhee, which is a solo affair, and Rohit Shetty’s web show Indian Police Force to look forward to. When Kundra returned from filming in Chandigarh for the Sonal Joshi directorial, she met with Shetty to talk about the series. Kundra then told her son about it.
“Viaan loves Rohit’s films. I asked him, ‘How am I going to do this?’ He jumped on the bed, and said, ‘Mumma, don’t worry about us, you have to do this!’ He said this to me. He’s just 10,” exclaims the actor, who credits her two children, Viaan, 10, and Samisha, 2, for encouraging her to go out and work.
“My son doesn’t feel that I am ignoring him, and I can go out there and work. Someone sent a Wonder Woman crown. My son picked it up and said, ‘Mumma, you should wear it’. My son is so filmy, it’s worth it,” Kundra shares.
Talking more about her children, the actor shares, “My son is a rockstar; my daughter is a chatterbox and a full-on mumma’s girl. She came in just a month before Covid-19 hit the world. After that, I was home, bathing her, teaching her the alphabets... I did everything. I have become so attached to them. Now, if you ask her where her mother is, she says, ‘Shooting’.”
In Hungama 2, there was a lot that was narrated, but didn’t make it to the screen-Shilpa Shetty
8:07 AM
Playing a prominent role in Nikamma, Shilpa discusses staying relevant with reality shows and upcoming web series
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 15, 2022)
Almost 14 years after Apne (2007), she returned to movies last year with Hungama 2. But like her fans, Shilpa Shetty Kundra considers the upcoming Nikamma her comeback vehicle. “It’s a comeback of sorts because I haven’t graced the big screen in 14 years. Doing a massy entertainer is a high point for me,” she says. Nikamma, also starring Abhimanyu Dassani and Shirley Setia, is an official remake of the Telugu film, MCA Middle Class Abbayi (2017).
There was much excitement around her last release, Hungama 2. However, the OTT film turned out to be a damp squib. “That wasn’t supposed to be my [comeback] film, but I couldn’t say no because it was offered to me by the makers [Ratan Jain] who had [launched] me in Hindi movies. Plus, I always wanted to work with Priyan sir [Priyadarshan]. For me, the only takeaway was Chura Ke Dil Mera. There was a lot that was narrated, but didn’t make it to the screen. I think people were let down when they saw me in such a minuscule role,” she says.
Where she went missing from movies in the past decade, the actor became a frequent face on television, judging reality shows. She is now set to foray into the OTT world with Indian Police Force. Point out that she manages to stay relevant at 47, and Shetty says, “There isn’t any formula to stay relevant. You have to [see] what’s working around you, and give it your own tadka. Whatever I am doing today is to impress my children. It’s hard to impress this generation. After watching Nikamma, my son called me his favourite actor. That was a big compliment for me.”
The actor went through a trying phase last year when husband Raj Kundra was arrested in a pornography case. Shetty, who faced the situation with dignity, reflects, “The courage came from my immovable faith and patience.”
I wanted to show Viaan that even in difficult circumstances, you have to have work ethics-Shilpa Shetty
8:29 AM
Shilpa Shetty Kundra believes being a mother is all about being tough, and her own mum is her role model
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 8, 2022)
In probably the toughest time of her life recently, actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra stood her ground and emerged stronger. And her kids — Viaan (9) and Samisha (2) — are the reasons she managed to do it. Opening up for the first time about overcoming the negativity around her family, she admits that it was hard.
“Even in the chaos, my purpose was my children. Stepping out in difficult times, with a brave front, to go back to work was only to show my kids, [especially my son] because he is at an age where he understands things,” Kundra tells us.
The 46-year-old surprised many when she was seen fulfilling her professional commitments even during testing times. She says, “I wanted to show Viaan that even in difficult circumstances, you have to have work ethics, and have to rise like a phoenix. He has learnt through me, and I hope I am able to give them the values that our parents inculcated in us.”
She takes inspiration from her own mother, Sunanda Shetty, and calls her a role model. “I was raised by a strong woman. I’m one because of her. When I go to work, I don’t hold any guilt as I give a lot of time to my kids, even more than what my mother gave me. She would leave at 7.30am, and come only after 7.30pm, and we turned out great. My mother always encourages me and says, ‘This is your time, you have the luxury to give [time] to your kids, you should do that’,” the actor ends.
My films may or may not have done well, but my songs always became huge hits-Shilpa Shetty
8:28 AM
Shilpa Shetty says she has been synonymous with dance throughout her career as she returns as a judge on Super Dancer 4
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; April 4, 2021)
Pull off a difficult dance routine, and Shilpa Shetty Kundra will be the first to cheer you on while enthusiastically describing the performance with her catchphrase, “Super se bhi upar!” As she awaits the release of Hungama 2 and Nikamma after over a decade of being away from the silver screen, Shetty has reprised her role of a judge on the kids’ reality show, Super Dancer 4. She shares the dias with filmmaker Anurag Basu and choreographer Geeta Kapoor.
“I am synonymous with dance. It makes sense to be associated with such [shows]. My films may or may not have done well, but my songs always became huge hits,” says the actor, who is best remembered for her moves in chartbusters Main aayi hoon UP Bihar lootne, Shut up and bounce, and Chura ke dil mera.
Shetty has been part of Super Dancer since 2016. Before this, she displayed her mastery over dance as a judge on Nach Baliye and Zara Nachke Dikha. She says it’s mind-boggling to see the children showcase their moves. “They are better than grown-ups. I am amazed by their ingenuity and talent. They contort their bodies as if they are made of rubber.”
Reality shows have their share of drama and tears, but the actor-judge insists there is nothing contrived. “We add fun elements like shair-o-shayari as appreciation for their talent. I feel like a mother to the participants, and the emotions we see are real. I burst out crying on seeing a cobbler’s son perform a contemporary dance. It was heartening to see how he had overcome the odds.”
One of the finest dancers in showbiz, Shetty quips that at home, she has stiff competition in husband Raj Kundra who “has killer moves on the dance floor”. She jokes that when she saw him perform at Harman Baweja’s wedding festivities recently, she told him not to steal her thunder. What about son Viaan? “He is a gymnast and likes dancing, but he tells me, ‘No matter what I do, my performance will always be super se bahut neeche for you,’” she laughs.
It still feels surreal when people ask me how my ‘children’ are doing-Shilpa Shetty
2:37 PM
Shilpa Shetty, who is getting used to the term ever since she brought her daughter home days before the lockdown, has also turned vegetarian
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 16, 2020)
On July 6, Shilpa Shetty took to the social media to announce her decision to turn vegetarian, primarily to reduce her carbon footprint in the environment. It wasn’t an overnight decision. Her businessman-husband, Raj Kundra, took part in a meditation discourse two years ago with her and wanted to give up meat immediately. She agreed to follow suit, but points out that they host parties and attend many. “We didn’t want to be the difficult guests no one likes. So, we turned pescatarians,” reveals Shilpa.It was only during the Coronavirus lockdown, when prompted by a documentary they watched together and a lot of introspection, that Raj turned completely vegan, while Shilpa chose to go vegetarian. “I love ghee and since it is for the long run, it’s important to do things you are comfortable with,” she reasons, pointing out that the planet is purging itself and human beings should do the same. “The lockdown has given us ample time to think. It will be a waste if we come out of it unchanged.”
A Kshatriya Mangalorean, Shilpa was habituated to a staple diet of rice, fish and mutton, while Raj, a Punjabi, loved his chicken. “It was hard for both of us. Though I always practised yoga, I felt like half a yogi and would berate myself for not being able to give up non-veg. But whenever I saw mom eat fish or red meat, I felt like Tom and Jerry did at the sight of food,” she chuckles, pointing out that it takes 21 days to cultivate a habit and 90 days to make a lifestyle. “I’ve had the luxury of time to make the shift and so has my family.”
So, has her son, eight-year-old Viaan, also given up meat? “It’s cruel to inculcate habits in your child and then one fine day, get up and tell them that it’s wrong; they will be completely confused. Since my mom eats at the same table, he will tell me, ‘Mamma, today is my last day of non-veg’, every day,” she smiles indulgently.
As for her newborn daughter Samisha, Shilpa is wondering whether to introduce her to meat and fish at all. “It might be unfair when my son has enjoyed it. I won’t start her on it, but if she wants to eat, I won’t stop her. Let her take the decision on her own as she grows older. I will play it by the ear,” she says. Speaking of children, the actress is still getting used to the term. “It feels surreal when people ask me how my ‘children’ are doing,” she laughs. “At 45, to have a newborn, takes guts.”
However, Shilpa was better prepared for motherhood now. “The first time around, you are breastfeeding and tired all the time. You feel like a cow. I also went through postpartum depression, though I bounced out of it in about two weeks,” she confides. “I flew private to bring Samisha home because there was no way in hell that I’d bring a baby, born three weeks prematurely, with masks and all. A few days later, the nationwide lockdown was announced and I’m grateful for this time with my baby, which, as an actress, I wouldn’t have got otherwise.”
Besides making life-changing shifts and bonding with her kids, Shilpa has also cultivated a home garden and is reaping the benefits. The actress, who has a cooking channel online, has been experimenting with vegan recipes and points out there are so many interesting and tasty dishes you can make even with the limitations. Being a fitness enthusiast, was there any concern about compromised nutrition intake before making the switch? Insisting that the pros of being a vegetarian far outweigh the cons of being a non-vegetarian, Shilpa explains, “A lot of people worry about B12 levels and protein intake dropping but all legumes have protein and so do vegetables. And we’re anyway using supplements. Ever since I turned 35, I’ve been taking supplements and advise all women to take them.” With no intention of being a killjoy to those who like their meats and fish, she sermonises, “Once you put all living beings on the same pedestal, the shift happens from within.” And while the decision to go vegetarian was her own, she didn’t have any say when a video-editing app she was active on, was taken down. But Shilpa insists she doesn’t miss the crazy antics. “I have given up non-veg, why will I miss TikTok,” she guffaws.
Has she shown any of her films to Viaan during the lockdown, you wonder, and she quips, “If I do, he’d ask questions which I wouldn’t know how to answer. But yes, I did show him Rishtey on Father’s Day because there’s a child in it. He also watched Baazigar recently and keeps saying, ‘Mamma you looked so cute then… so young’.
He’s basically trying to tell me I am old now!” she signs off with another throaty laugh.
Shilpa Shetty celebrates her newborn daughter’s first milestone with family at home, in quarantine
8:26 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; March 27, 2020)
With two children in the household — seven-year-old son Viaan and the newborn Samisha — Shilpa Shetty Kundra is taking no chances when it comes to safety and hygiene in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. The actress is especially careful about her baby girl, who entered the world on February 15.
Yesterday (March 26), when Samisha turned 40 days old, Shilpa shared on her social media page, “Samisha Shetty Kundra completes 40 days today. The first milestone for a mother and child, revered in Hinduism… Ideally, as a ritual we would have stepped out of the house for the FIRST time and taken her to a temple for blessings, but as things stand today don’t have that option. Hence, will seek blessings at our mandir at home. It only makes me realise that there are so many other things we should be grateful for even if some things don’t go as per plan. So, for the next 20 days, I’m going to document one thing that I’m grateful for EVERY DAY. Starting with TODAY, I’m so grateful for just having a healthy family by my side. Let’s use this time to thank the universe for all the wonderful things and daily manifest positivity in our lives.... (sic).”
A couple of days ago, Shilpa had told BT that she does not allow anyone coming from outside to go near her daughter. “The precautionary measures we’re following at home are simple and basic, but they are being followed strictly. Apart from the 24-hour-staff, everyone has been given mandatory leave. They will resume only after there is a directive from the state government, withdrawing the lockdown. I’m making sure that no one, who has come from outside, is going into my baby’s room. Anyone stepping out and coming into the house has to sanitise their hands. Also, I don’t let anyone into my child’s room without cleaning themselves completely, head to toe. Her room is cleaned thoroughly, twice a day, everyday,” says the possessive mommy.
When asked about Viaan, the actress admitted that keeping school-going children engaged indoors is a task. She said, “Viaan is attending virtual classes every day. Apart from that, he has no outdoor activities or playdates. It’s difficult to keep the child engaged in something all day, as their energy levels are high and you have to find new ways to channelise it correctly. Though he doesn’t step out, he has to bathe twice. As a responsible elder brother, he sets an example for everyone by sanitising his hands each time he goes near Samisha. As conscientious parents, we have to avoid playdates to safeguard children, ours and others’.”
Check out Shilpa Shetty's son making TV debut with Super Dancer
7:54 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 11, 2016)
Judges Shilpa Shetty, Geeta Kapoor and Anurag Basu of the dance reality show, Super Dancer, were surprised when informed that a ninth dancer was waiting in the wings. Turned out that he was Shilpa Shetty’s son Viaan who, along with dad Raj Kundra, came on stage to show off his dancing skills during the Children’s Day episode.
“All eyes were on Viaan as he danced to Ranveer Singh’s song from Ram-Leela, “Tattad Tattad”. Soon everyone, including mum Shilpa, joined in to shake a leg with the little one,” says a source close to the production.
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