From distant Baazigar to the current Dhadkan, Shilpa Shetty has come a long way. The dusky actress who made her debut with a relatively small role, has matured enough to become the sole heart throb in Dhadkan, and perform the difficult role of a girl torn between two lovers, with remarkable conviction. She scoffs at remarks that she’s been relegated to playing small time roles in films of late. Shilpa insists she isn’t just a glamour doll, that she has the talent to portray any role, however difficult, and that she’s open to any challenging assignment, even in South Indian films...

If one may take you back to your early days in films, how did you come to get your first role, Baazigar?
n It was sheer coincidence. In fact, Venus were looking for a new face for the role, and they just happened to approach me. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse. I believe Baazigar proved to be very lucky for me, because I never thought I’d ever become a big time film heroine. I still don’t think I have the looks the industry demands from a heroine. The film was a dream come true, a dream I never reckoned would materialise.

Are you happy with the way your career has shaped up?
You tell me, what do you think? One can never be completely happy. At any given moment in your career, one feels one could have done better. I always do. I feel I deserve better and my hunger for good roles is yet to be fulfiled. I am still waiting for the industry to tap my full potential.

After Baazigar what do you think were the industry’s expectations from you?
I don’t really know. But I know what I wanted to do, and that was act in some good films. Many people began to approach me with roles, and I signed them readily, because I was eager not to be left out. At that point in time, I had to do all kinds of roles to remain in the reckoning. My options were limited and I was in no position to choose.

You have been a favourite heroine with Venus. How far have they contributed to establishing your career?
To tell you the fact, it’s wrong to suggest I was a Venus camp favourite. After all, I’ve done just three films for the company. They’re far too professional a banner not to sign artistes and directors as per the demands of the story. There is hardly any favouritism involved in their selection of artistes, as far as I have witnessed in all these years of association with the banner. To the second part of your question, I must admit I’ve been lucky to work with them in Baazigar, which made a heroine out of me, even if people still aren’t convinced of my mettle as an actress. Venus has been a great source of encouragement.

Of late you’ve been seen in inconsequent bit roles, sometimes even in an item song or two. How come?
If you’re hinting at my roles in Tarkieb and Jung, I’d say those were hardly inconsequent. I don’t think a director like Esmayeel Shroff would cast any one in a lifeless role. When the film was offered to me there was Tabu in the cast. Nana Patekar was in it, too. So what do you expect? That I should have rejected the film? I had a definite role in it, you know. But some people will always complain.

It’s a question I’ve been asked by many, though. Has Shilpa Shetty begun to do special appearances, they ask. If those were special appearances, so be it. As I see it, I’ve done only one special appearance, and that was in Shool. And that only because I felt it would do some justice to my image and career. I am more careful about my career than most people seem to think. I know what I’m doing.

Does that mean you don’t regret doing those roles?
You’re right, I don’t and never will. Like I said, I know what I am doing and what suits me well. Working with good directors is an experience I don’t want to miss out on. Even small roles can help you in many ways. As for the rest, you know very well how much scope our films give the heroines to prove their mettle.

Your dancing talent is unquestionable. But what about your other talents? Have the filmmakers made use of them?
It’s a compliment and I shall accept it gracefully. I feel I was never typecast as a glamour doll. I’ve done a variety of roles, even though a few were brief ones in terms of footage, as some people say. I have tried to maintain this variety within my limitations, of course thanks to the faith some filmmakers have reposed in me.

What’s been the biggest turning point in your career?
I reckon Pardesi Babu, in which I was cast opposite Govinda, has been the greatest highlight of my career. It was a great role. I feel an artiste should be given enough scope to prove his talent, and writers and directors would do well to take the artiste’s merits into account before they start a film. An artiste can do precious little in his individual capacity.

Before an artiste is criticised, you ought to see whether the role offered him any scope to perform at all. Artistes who can rise above the limitations of the script are very few, and I wouldn’t dare claim I’m one of them. Pardesi Babu was one film that offered me a measure of opportunities to showcase my talent.

Did it help you in your subsequent films?
Of course, why not? I acted opposite the redoubtable Amitabh Bachchan in Lal Badshah. I even did Tarkieb. I have no choice but to make do with the roles offered to me. I am not concerned about the fate of the film at the b-o. Does anyone work with the intention of performing below par? When a film is launched, or when you sign a film, do you plan to do badly in it? One never knows how the film will turn out, or what impact it will have on your career. It’s only after the film is complete, that you can make any prediction on how it will fare at the b-o. Even then, you’re bound to go wrong occasionally. Judged from that angle, I’d say I’ve been fairly successful in my short career.

You’ve done a couple of films down South. How different were they from the Hindi films you’ve done so far?
Frankly, I must say South Indian films offer you a lot more opportunities. It is because, in the South they’re concerned more with talent than looks. I’ve accepted the occasional southie venture solely to fulfil my desires as an actress. How I wish I’d get such roles in Hindi films.

In the South, the roles are more heroine-centric, more woman-oriented. Right now, I’m doing a Telugu film with Nagarjuna, titled Aaghaaz, being directed by Tirupat Swami. This is my second film with him. Earlier, I’ve worked in Tamil films too. The filmmakers down South are intelligent and co-operative. That’s also part of the attraction.

Do heroines ever have anything to do besides the odd song sequences in Hindi films?
Sadly, no. Only a few filmmakers make films keeping the heroine in mind. The fault is that of the writers. Unless they come up with author-backed roles for the heroine, our heroines will always be relegated to the running-around-trees routine. The question is, will our filmmakers accept such scripts at all?

Is it a tough job for a girl to find roles in films, do you think? So many stories are floating around, of the many pitfalls involved?
I’d say it’s still easy to find roles, provided you have the talent to match. It’s my personal opinion that those with blind ambition and little talent to go with it, are made to go through hell. I’ve had a fairly easy time, and I’ve never had to scrounge around for roles. They’ve come looking for me. If you work honestly and do some worthwhile roles, there’s no need to solicit for roles, they’d come to you automatically.

You’ve been a regular in the glossies, who seem to love speculating on your love life. Does it affect you or are they planted by you?
Hey, come on. Don’t you dare suggest I plant such stories in the glossies. That would be cheap publicity. I’d be the last person to do such a thing. It’s funny I keep having to read the glossies for news about my love life. I’d enjoy it if they weren’t about me. The stories they publish are upsetting sometimes, and downright irritating. I feel they should not do such things at my cost.

You’ve been linked with Akshay Kumar of late. There have even been rumours suggesting that you’re about to tie the knot shortly...
That’s a load of crap. I assure you, you’ll be the first to know if and when I decide to tie the knot. Akshay and I get along well as co-stars. There’s nothing beyond that. Even if there were, I wouldn’t be talking about it to the glossies. Marriage is still a distant dream for me. My own policy is, everything will work out in its time.

Do you think these’s a race among the heroines to corner roles merely to get to the top?
I’ve never believed in races, or in working overtime at grabbing roles. I am more interested in what I get and giving them my best shot. The numbers game has never interested me. Cinema is a creative medium and you don’t need to compete in races to remain in the field. Ultimately, what matters is your talent.

Dhadkan is a major film in your career. What are your expectations from the film?
Dhadkan, as the title suggests, is my Dhadkan. I expect a lot from it, as I have worked a lot on my character in the film. I think I’ve managed to live upto the expectations. Now, it’s for the audience to decide whether I had a good job or not. The film has a refreshing touch and it’s been wonderful working with the unit.

The human emotions, the underlying feelings form the crux of the film, and everyone has given it their best. I’m hoping the film does well. Working with Dharmesh Darshan has been an experience I can’t forget. I think he’s a master at extracting the right emotions from the artistes.

How would you describe yourself as a person?
(Laughs heartily) It’s rather difficult to describe myself. I’m the normal, boring sort — who’s warm and loving in my interactions. I like people who’re honest and forthright. I don’t get depressed easily as I believe there’s nothing in the world you can’t achieve, provided you work for it with honesty and skill.

Padmaraj Nair