The business of films
SUNIL PATEL
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Glamorous Shilpa Shetty candidly discusses her marriage, film production plans, and the big cricket deal she has just made.
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’This is what Raj has done for me. He has paid the price of wooing me.’
Photos: PTI
Shilpa Shetty was at her vivacious best at the press meet where she had turned up with boyfriend Raj Kundra to announce their business tie-up with Indian Premier League cricket team, Rajasthan Royals. But everyone was more interested in knowing about the man in her life, U.K.-based entrepreneur Kundra, and the special thing he has done for her.
“This is what Raj has done for me. He has paid the price of wooing me,” laughed Shilpa, citing the cricket deal. Despite the many cameras trained at them, Shilpa did not look uncomfortable and was seen exchanging laughs and asides with Kundra. Neither did she dodge questions about her marriage. “Whenever we fix the date there will be an announcement and it will happen soon,” said the lady, who looked like a million bucks.
Coming to the cricket deal, asked how she would be able handle the business, Shilpa says, “There is immense trust, faith, and understanding between us. I don’t have to worry with Raj around. He has handled business well and I can rely on him completely.”
Producer’s hat
Though Shilpa launched her own production house last year, no film has been launched as yet. We wondered if she thinks that the IPL tie-up will help her understand business better and make her a better producer as well.
“No, I belong to a business family and I have helped my dad. I was nobody then. Acting happened by default. I think my transition from acting to business is happening a little late in life. I have gained a name in films and will always be appreciated for my work. This is a step further,” she says. Shilpa Shetty says that she is an actress who does not want her film to be pitched big. “I don’t have any expectations. I just do my work and move on. I decided to do the film because it was really challenging and unique,” says the girl from the Mumbai suburb of Chembur.
Chinese connections
Photos: PTI
“‘The Desire’ is an Indo-Chinese venture and it is for the first time that an Indian girl and Chinese boy have been paired opposite each other,” says Shilpa clearly agreeing that it is a marriage of the cultures rather than China being the next stop for Bollywood.
Shilpa has also allowed her hair to grow for the film. “I tried out various looks before deciding on this one,” says Shilpa who plays an Odissi dancer in the movie. “The role is that of a simple girl who is passionate about dancing.”
About her first film as producer, for which she had signed director Manish Jha, Shilpa said it had been shelved. “We had a couple of hindrances and the economic crunch also hit the industry, so we decided not to go ahead at that moment. We will start working on it again. But, as of now, we are not making the film,” she says. In the meantime, Shilpa is keeping busy with two big films she’s working in — “The Desire” and “The Man”. “I’m going on a long stint for ‘The Man’. It’s an intelligent film. For ‘The Desire’ we are shooting in Nashik,” she signs off.
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