From 'Jinx' label to being the first choice for 'Chaiyya Chaiyya': The journey of Bigg Boss 18 contestant and 90s star Shilpa Shirodkar

90s star Shilpa Shirodkar is currently seen in the controversial reality show, Bigg Boss 18 and has managed to be in the limelight for the first week of the show. Bigg Boss 18 is Shilpa Shirodkar's comeback to television and showbiz industry after her last show, Savitri Devi College & Hospital. Shilpa has not only made her mark in the Hindi film industry but has also appeared in films in Tamil and Telugu. In addition to her success in films, she spent over five years working in television. She stepped away from acting nearly a decade after marrying a banker based in the UK. From her Bollywood debut with Mithun Chakraborty to stepping away from acting after marriage: A Look at the life of Indian actress Shilpa Shirodkar.(Photo: Instagram)

Shilpa Shirodkar was born on November 20, 1973, to Nitin and Vanita Shirodkar. She is the younger sister of the renowned Indian actress and Femina Miss India 1993 winner, Namrata Shirodkar. Additionally, both Shilpa and Namrata are granddaughters of the iconic Marathi theatre and television actress, Meenakshi Shirodkar. From a young age, Shilpa showed a strong passion for acting and aspired to follow in the footsteps of her grandmother and sister. (Photo: Instagram)

Shilpa Shirodkar’s older sister, Namrata Shirodkar, is married to the legendary Telugu actor Mahesh Babu, widely regarded as one of the most celebrated stars in South Indian cinema. Namrata and Mahesh exchanged vows in 2005 and are parents to two children, Gautham and Sitara. Mahesh Babu has consistently been a strong supporter of his sister-in-law, Shilpa Shirodkar. For example, prior to her entry into the Bigg Boss house, Shilpa shared photos of her sister Namrata and brother-in-law Mahesh, showcasing their pride and unwavering support for her. Shilpa told the Times Of India TV about sister Namrata and brother-in-law Mahesh Babu, "They are very proud of me and they just know that whatever I do I’ll do for myself. I know I’m going to make them very proud. As a family, we are a very close-knit family. They all are very supportive of me and so is my Niece and my nephew as well." (Photo: Instagram)

In 1989, the legendary filmmaker Ramesh Sippy gave Shilpa Shirodkar her acting debut by casting her in his film Bhrashtachar. At just 18 years old, she portrayed the role of a blind girl, and her performance garnered immediate acclaim from critics. Prior to this, according to reports, Shilpa had lost out on two films, Souten Ki Beti and Boney Kapoor's then-titled Jungle, leading to her being labeled a 'jinx' in the industry. (Photo: Instagram)

During this challenging time, Mithun Chakraborty stepped in to support her by urging Ramesh Sippy to consider her for Bhrashtachar. The film featured a lineup of iconic actors, including Rekha, Anupam Kher, Raza Murad, and had a special appearance by Rajinikanth. (Photo: Instagram)

In her second film, Shilpa was paired opposite Anil Kapoor in Kishen Kanhaiya, which marked the beginning of her successful journey in the film industry. Following Kishen Kanhaiya, she appeared in numerous films alongside major stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Sridevi, Suniel Shetty, Shah Rukh Khan, and many others. Some of Shilpa Shirodkar's notable films include Trinetra, Hum, Khuda Gawah, Aankhen, Pehchaan, Gopi Kishan, Bewafa Sanam, Mrityudand, Gaja Gamini, and many others. (Photo: Instagram)

For those who may not know, Shilpa Shirodkar was initially the top choice to be the lead dancer in the iconic song Chaiyya Chaiyya. In an old interview with ETimes, Shilpa discussed this experience and explained why she lost the opportunity to Malaika Arora. She revealed that the producers of Dil Se... felt she was "too fat" for the song, which was a tough rejection for her to accept regarding her body image. Nonetheless, she stated that it was all part of her destiny. Shilpa expressed that working with Shah Rukh Khan was one of her dreams, and she was able to fulfill that dream when they collaborated on Gaja Gamini. (Photo: Instagram)

While Shilpa Shirodkar was working on several high-profile films, she chose to step away from acting to prioritize her husband and children. For those who may not know, she married UK-based merchant banker Apresh Ranjit in July 2000. After their marriage, Shilpa relocated to the UK, which made it challenging for her to find work in the film industry. As a result, she decided to take a break from her acting career to focus on raising their daughter, Anoushka Ranjit. However, she made her return to the screen in 2013 with the television series Ek Mutthi Aasmaan. (Photo: Instagram)