Actress Shilpa Shirodkar recently revealed how false rumors of her being “shot dead” during a film shoot in 1995 turned out to be a shocking publicity stunt, leaving her parents extremely worried.
When Death Rumors Hit the Headlines
The incident unfolded while Shilpa was shooting for her 1995 film *Raghu Veer* in scenic Kullu Manali. At the time, mobile phones weren’t common, making communication challenging. Unbeknownst to her, a sensational headline declared “Shilpa Shirodkar was shot dead.”
The rumors began circulating after the release of her film *Bewafa Sanam*. Locals watching the *Raghu Veer* shoot even questioned if it was truly her, given the news that had spread.
A Parent’s Nightmare: 25 Missed Calls
Shilpa’s parents, back home, were gripped with panic. Her father desperately tried to reach her hotel in Manali. When Shilpa finally returned to her room, she found a staggering 20-25 missed calls from her worried parents.
It was a terrifying moment for her family, who truly believed the devastating news published in a newspaper.
The Shocking Revelation: A Publicity Stunt
The truth behind the alarming news eventually came to light. Film producer Gulshan Kumar, who was involved with *Raghu Veer*, later admitted that the entire “death” report was a deliberate promotional tactic for the film.
Shilpa, unaware of the plan, was initially surprised by the revelation. She admitted that while it felt “thoda zyada hogaya” (a bit too much), the lack of formal PR activities or permissions in that era meant such stunts could happen without the actor’s knowledge.
Despite the unusual nature of the promotion, the film performed well at the box office, which ultimately eased any anger Shilpa might have felt about the unconventional marketing strategy.
Looking Ahead for Shilpa Shirodkar
After a career with its share of highs and lows, Shilpa Shirodkar is now gearing up for her next big project. She is set to appear in the Telugu supernatural thriller *Jatadhara*.
Produced by Zee Studios and directed by Venkat Kalyan, the film will also feature Sudheer Babu and Sonakshi Sinha in prominent roles. Fans are eager to see her return to the screen in this exciting new venture.
- Actress Shilpa Shirodkar was falsely rumored to have been shot dead in 1995.
- Her parents made over 20 frantic calls after seeing the news headline.
- The “death” news was a deliberate publicity stunt orchestrated by producer Gulshan Kumar for her film *Raghu Veer*.
- Such promotional tactics were less regulated and often done without actor’s permission in that era.
