Shilpa Shetty Kundra: Am now offered roles where I can do more than being glam

By - Uma Ramasubraniam for Mid Day

JULY 16,2021

When producer Ratan Jain approached Shilpa Shetty Kundra for 39Hungama 239, her first reaction was, "How can I be paired opposite Pareshji [Rawal]? He has played my father in a movie!" Her initial shock soon gave way to excitement as the producer familiarised her with the premise of the comedy."The story revolves around a man who is insecure about his wife who is 15-20 years younger than him. When I heard the story, it made sense [to portray Rawal39s wife]. Then, I was told they were planning to reprise Chura ke dil mera [her song from Main Khiladi Tu Anari]. After that, I couldn39t say no," laughs Shetty.While the Disney+ Hotstar film also starring Meezaan and Pranitha Subhash revolves around an older man romancing a younger woman, Hindi cinema hasn39t fully explored the theme of an older woman-younger man relationship. Game to bring such stories to life, the actor says, "Gone are the days when only conventional content worked. The audience is smart now with [the advent of] OTT and will be open to the concept. It has to be treated beautifully."Shetty, who enjoyed success in the late 3990s and early 2000s, believes she has better command over her craft today as she returns to movies 14 years after Apne 2007. She counts herself lucky to be back in the game when Hindi cinema is undergoing a radical change. "I have come into my own now. I was only 17 when I started out, and by the time I left, films were just about evolving. I got good parts in Dhadkan and Life in a Metro, but today, I am offered roles where I can do more than just being glam."