'TV Industry is Heartless'...
Cries Bhaabhiji, who's Ghar se Baahar...
It was nothing short of a phenomenon!
The 'Connect' that 'Angoori' formed with millions of TV-watchers in 'Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai' (&TV) was to be seen to believe... And thereby, the 15 years' lacklustre career of Shilpa Shinde, who played it, was catapulted to mythical heights… She had the Country in stitches with her dumbo demeanour, her crackling catchphrases (Sahi Pakde Hain...) and her scintillating sense of 'timing'...
But it was too good to last...
And suddenly, she pulled the plug off the character, leaving hordes and hordes of fans in a tizzy... Since then, she has been under a barrage of blames and still more blames from the powers-that-be for being unprofessional, undisciplined, even unethical... GR8! gets you in a close-up with Shilpa to let you be privy to the whys & wherefores of it all... Read on...
Let's begin by asking that the world loved Angoori, but what about you? Did you, too, love the character as much?
Shilpa Shinde: Obviously I did! And the character was a hit with my father's blessings - also, I played her with all my honesty and sincerity!
If that is so, then why would someone give up on a role that one loves and which also has brought in tremendous popularity?
Shilpa: Look, I’m a very simple girl and I don't work just for money. That's why I've often left shows like 'Bhabhi' (Star Plus) when it took a leap and Chidiya Ghar (SAB TV), too. I'm the kind of person who, when feels hurt, then just cannot carry on in that space and therefore, choose to leave it. Yes, it would be difficult to do by those who work for money, but not for me!
You've been accused of a totally 'unprofessional' behavior - how do you react to this charge?
Shilpa: Yes, I know Binaifer (Kohli, Producer) has been telling everyone that I'm unprofessional and that I keep asking for pay-hikes etc. but that is all wrong. In fact, cracks have been appearing in our bonding since long due to various reasons and she took everything on her ego!
OK, so for GR8! Readers, can you come clean on the whole scenario once and for all? Tell us, exactly when was it that things started going wrong? Was it from the beginning and if not, then from what stage? What were the situations that started putting you off?
Shilpa: Well, things started getting sour from Jan-Feb! It all began when I was struck with a throat problem and asked for some leave. Then, I also had a problem with the location as I had health issues. I was on Ayurvedic treatment and had to adhere to a certain Diet-plan. But I found the Producer not respecting any of that. Tell you what – TV Industry is heartless… and so my problems kept piling up!
Like what?
Shilpa: Oh, so many! Since I was no keeping well, I needed some modifications in my heavy Sarees - but there was not Tailor on the Sets. So I purchased my own Sewing Machine and did the alterations in my room, all by myself. I lost my voice due to that severe throat infection and that’s why they introduced that 'Maun Vrat' sequence in the Show. I kept cooperating to the best of my capacity but still, she screamed at me before everybody for having caused her losses. But the fact is that there were no 'losses', whatsoever!
So you mean to say a myth of indiscipline was deliberately created around you?
Shilpa: Exactly! And I've suffered heavily on that count! I remember I was in my Doc's clinic when someone accosted me - 'Aap Kyon Producer Ko Pareshaan Kar Rahi Ho... Go back to the show... we are not watching it since you left!' Indeed, it was painful to listen that I was troubling the Producer, when the truth was just the opposite, but then, nobody knew about it!
Achha, the differences were purely Financial or Creative as well?
Shilpa: Well, the 'Raise' issue was definitely there. Look, my character was the very epicentre of the Show, so wouldn't I demand something that is sensible and reasonable? Still, that was not the only thing - there were many other issues like what I've told you!
Achha, did you also have problems with the team and your co-actors? Why do you think they haven't stood by you firmly? How does this behavior of theirs leave you - Disappointed? Sad? Or just plain indifferent?
Shilpa: See, I respect all of them and it was a personal war between me and Binaifer Kohli only! Still, one of them has gone on record that I am a Psycho! Oh, come on, we've been working together since a whole year and still you say such a thing! Perhaps, they're in the dark about the facts, but still, such comments hurt!
Tell us, why let things boil down to Court-cases and all? Couldn't the issues have been sorted out amicably?
Shilpa: Look, Artistes are like Machines that earn Producers the monies. So shouldn't they be oiling these Machines well to keep them in good condition? You have to invest in and pamper your Actors - Ekta Kapoor does it all the time. As for the Court case, Binaifer Kohli can do nothing on the basis of the Contract as it is not valid and is of zero value! And make no mistake about it - Artistes are Channel-drivers!
Achha, what exactly triggered the point when you felt enough is enough and decided to leave?
Shilpa: During the discussions stage, while the Channel people were trying to sort out things and were ready to pay me a good amount, Binaifer just kept harping bitterly on my having signed a Contract for 2 years, besides levelling other false allegations on me!
You mean, things were just stretched to the snapping point?
Shilpa: They were - and how! You tell me, if she had so many issues with me, then, why was she so desperate to call me back and resume my Shoots there? But I got adamant now. And look at the double game - I was told by some friends there that others were being auditioned for my role at that very stage. Why doesn't she mention these things in her interviews, today?
Did you ever imagine that situation will so worsen that CINTAA would come on the scene?
Shilpa: Tell you what, CINTAA always take Producers side. And the funny part is that they target them, too, by keeping their guns on Artistes’ shoulders!
Can you elaborate on that?
Shilpa: I remember we were doing a 7am to 7pm Shoot and it got stretched. At 8:30, CINTAA guys barged in and stopped the Shoot. I asked them as to why they were doing it? And they said - 'We are doing it for you!' At this, I said that then they should have come at 7 pm and we would have been in our homes by now. But at this point, we have to shoot till 10pm, anyway!
And what did they say?
Shilpa: Oh, they told me - 'Who are you to tell us all this...' and - 'Now, we'll make you sit at home!' At this, I, too, told them, 'Go right ahead and give it a try!' Really… I told you, na - this whole Industry is heartless!
And how do you react to the fact that an Artiste can be banned from work?
Shilpa: Well, I know that CINTAA has done that in the past! But now they have called a Press Conference to say that they cannot ban!
Coming back to this 'Contract' thing - tell us, why sign a Contract and agree to a Clause that you feel is bad for you?
Shilpa: All I can say is that when many of the Artistes here are working for different Shows, then, why this Exclusivity-clause for me? The Channel said, we'll pay you extra for Exclusivity and I told them, I don't want one! This way, I was trying to save their money - I've always held that Producers' money should not be wasted for wrong reasons!
Today, do you miss Angoori or anything or anyone from the Show or the Sets, there?
Shilpa: I miss Shashank Bali (Director)! He's an amazing Director and I'm a Director's Actor! As for Angoori - she is me! So, no one can play her like me and that's not just a bout of self-praise, mind you! I'm as innocent and dumb as Angoori… like her, I, too, am not good with English and I cannot manipulate, either… I also don't understand many a thing… so, Angoori is me and I am Angoori! Yes, they have replaced me and the Show is still on air - but no one can take away Angoori from me!
Looking back - do you think leaving such a hit Show might be too impulsive or too hasty a decision on your part?
Shilpa: No! I don't regret my decision! Look, I don't have Moh-Maaya. And I know what a ‘loss’ is all about - I've lost my father and I don't think anything else can be a bigger loss for me! Today, I'm not attached to material things and I really feel that it is always best to give up and move on!
Finally, how does this whole experience leave you - Lost? Bitter? Hopeful? Wiser? Or worried for the future?
Shilpa: Definitely ‘bitter’! And yes, ‘wiser’, too! I'll be more careful in future... but future, itself, doesn't worry me. I'm not too work-conscious and ambitious, anyway - I take things as they come… totally in their stride!
And then her voice trails off...
A hush fills the air - a hush that’s deafening...
But nothing more is left for us than leaving the 'Bitter' and 'Wiser' Shilpa to her own muses...
And it's final - Bhabhi is Ghar Se Baahar...
But where does she go from here is anybody's guess... And Jury is still out on whether she is 'more sinned against than sinning' (Salaam Shakespeare)...
