Actress Shilpa Shetty’s sister Shamita had a dream debut—a role in a Shah Rukh Khan starrer, backed by Yash Raj Films. Her performance—as a spoilt, hot-headed girl named Ishika—also gained appreciation. But despite this perfect start, her career failed to gain momentum. In a candid chat with Pinkvilla, the ‘Zeher’ actress spoke at length about her debut and her decision to venture into a different career when her stint as an actress proved to be unsatisfactory.
Shamita, who has a degree in fashion design from SNDT College, was doing an internship with famed designer Manish Malhotra when she landed an opportunity to debut in a Yash Raj film. Malhotra introduced her to Adi Chopra, and she bagged the role of Ishika, who is the love interest of Uday Chopra in the Mohabbatein, which was headlined by Shah Rukh Khan. The film became a major hit, earning over Rs 90 crores at the box office.
However, despite her pitch-perfect debut, her career did not take off the way she thought it would. Her movies with Sanjay Dutt and Madhavan did not release, and some of her movies failed at the box office. But she never requested her elder sister to approach producers on her behalf.
Shamita admitted that she decided to venture into interior design when her career as an actress stagnated. “I was not happy with what I was doing, and I wanted to be happy,” she explained.
It was during this time she got an offer to design the interior of a nightclub. “I had no idea of interior design at that time. However, I managed to complete the project. I was so satisfied in building the entire thing from scratch; it was beautiful,” she said.
She acknowledged that although it was “heartbreaking” to turn away from a profession she loved, she knew she was not landing any good opportunities, so she decided to stick to her decision to go to summer school in London for six months. She later came back to India and worked with an architect for a year. Later she started her own company and focused on various projects.
Even with the excitement of her new venture, Shamita acknowledged that she carried a sense of emptiness within herself that she could no longer overlook. In search of something more fulfilling, she decided to participate in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. The experience became a turning point, offering her fresh opportunities and helping her explore a different path.
Shamita, who has a degree in fashion design from SNDT College, was doing an internship with famed designer Manish Malhotra when she landed an opportunity to debut in a Yash Raj film. Malhotra introduced her to Adi Chopra, and she bagged the role of Ishika, who is the love interest of Uday Chopra in the Mohabbatein, which was headlined by Shah Rukh Khan. The film became a major hit, earning over Rs 90 crores at the box office.
However, despite her pitch-perfect debut, her career did not take off the way she thought it would. Her movies with Sanjay Dutt and Madhavan did not release, and some of her movies failed at the box office. But she never requested her elder sister to approach producers on her behalf.
Shamita admitted that she decided to venture into interior design when her career as an actress stagnated. “I was not happy with what I was doing, and I wanted to be happy,” she explained.
It was during this time she got an offer to design the interior of a nightclub. “I had no idea of interior design at that time. However, I managed to complete the project. I was so satisfied in building the entire thing from scratch; it was beautiful,” she said.
She acknowledged that although it was “heartbreaking” to turn away from a profession she loved, she knew she was not landing any good opportunities, so she decided to stick to her decision to go to summer school in London for six months. She later came back to India and worked with an architect for a year. Later she started her own company and focused on various projects.
Even with the excitement of her new venture, Shamita acknowledged that she carried a sense of emptiness within herself that she could no longer overlook. In search of something more fulfilling, she decided to participate in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. The experience became a turning point, offering her fresh opportunities and helping her explore a different path.
You may also like
Educating Yorkshire star reveals stern warning to Channel 4 over 'petrifying' concern
Flood fury: Army deploys helicopters to evacuate people; 1,211 evacuated
'Drinking water left me in hospital twice - now I only drink coffee and BEER to hydrate'
RLP's Hanuman Beniwal hails Rajasthan High Court verdict cancelling 2021 SI recruitment exam
Release of Balakrishna's 'Akhanda 2: Thandaavam' postponed
