For more than three decades, Shilpa Shetty has remained one of Bollywood’s most recognisable faces. From blockbuster films in the 1990s and early 2000s to reality television, fitness ventures and digital projects, the actress has successfully reinvented herself over the years. Yet, despite her long and successful career, there is one thing her children have never experienced — watching their mother on the big screen in a cinema hall.
In a recent conversation with Hindustan Times, Shilpa opened up about her desire to return to theatres with a film that receives a proper theatrical release. The reason, she says, is deeply personal.
The actress revealed that both her children, son Viaan and daughter Samisha, have never seen her on the big screen. While Viaan did get an opportunity to watch her 2023 film Sukhee, it was during a special preview screening and not in a regular cinema environment.
For Shilpa, there is a significant difference between watching a film on a digital platform and experiencing it in a packed theatre. She wants her children to witness the excitement, scale and emotion that come with seeing their mother perform on the silver screen.
The actress admitted that this has become one of her biggest motivations when choosing future projects. After spending the last few years working on films and series that either had limited theatrical exposure or premiered directly on digital platforms, she now hopes to headline a project that reaches audiences in cinemas across the country.
Shilpa’s journey in Bollywood began in the early 1990s, and she quickly rose to fame with films such as Baazigar, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Dhadkan, Rishtey, Phir Milenge and Life in a… Metro. Known for her screen presence, dance performances and versatility, she became one of the most popular actresses of her generation.
After taking a step back from full-time acting following her marriage to businessman Raj Kundra and the birth of her children, Shilpa focused on family life and entrepreneurship. However, she gradually returned to entertainment through television reality shows, where she became a familiar face as a judge on various talent competitions.
In recent years, she has also explored new-age storytelling formats. Her comeback film Hungama 2 was released on an OTT platform, while Nikamma had a theatrical release but failed to make a major impact at the box office. She later impressed audiences with Sukhee, a film centred around a middle-aged woman rediscovering herself and her dreams.
Despite the changing entertainment landscape and the growing popularity of streaming platforms, Shilpa still believes there is something magical about the theatrical experience. The actress hopes that her next major project will allow her children to see firsthand the world she has been a part of for most of her life.
For Shilpa, this wish is about more than just professional achievement. It is about sharing a special moment with her children and allowing them to understand why cinema has played such an important role in her journey.
As she looks ahead to new opportunities, fans will undoubtedly be eager to see the actress return to the big screen in a film that combines strong storytelling with the grand theatrical experience she is hoping for. And if that happens, Viaan and Samisha may finally get to watch their mother the way millions of fans have for decades — on the silver screen.
