Veteran actress Shilpa Shirodkar recently opened up about her decision to leave a flourishing Bollywood career to marry and move abroad, sharing her unique journey and a refreshing perspective on life choices.
A Bold Move: Leaving Bollywood Behind
Shilpa Shirodkar, known for hit films like ‘Hum’ and ‘Khuda Gawah’, made a surprising exit from the Hindi film industry at the height of her career. She chose to prioritize her personal life, marrying Aparesh Ranjit and relocating to New Zealand.
Looking back, Shilpa expresses no regrets about taking a break from acting. She explained that marrying a kind and simple man was her priority. While she misses being busy, she noted that continuing her career would have been challenging due to her move overseas. Had she married and stayed in India, she believes she would have continued working.
An Unconventional Love Story
Shilpa initially had no intention of leaving Mumbai or India, being very close to her parents. However, everything changed when she met her husband. She made a swift decision to marry him, knowing he would be based abroad for his studies.
She describes the choice as easy because it was her own. She was so drawn to his honesty that she didn’t overthink the implications of leaving her home country. For her, everything simply “fell into place.”
Beyond Qualifications: Finding Her Place
One striking aspect Shilpa shared was the difference in their educational backgrounds. She candidly admitted to being a “10th fail,” while her husband is a double MBA and a well-read banker. Despite this contrast, Shilpa emphasized that she never felt “small” or inferior in front of him.
She shared that she could comfortably engage in conversations with him and his colleagues about various topics, and the life they built together never made her feel less accomplished.
Life Shaped by New Experiences
After her marriage, Shilpa didn’t receive film offers. She believes that at the time, roles for married women were scarce, and she wasn’t considered a “big star” whose return would be highly anticipated. This period allowed her to grow in unexpected ways.
Navigating life abroad without a familiar circle of friends and learning to manage on a budget significantly shaped her as a person. It was a journey of self-discovery away from the bright lights of the film industry.
- Shilpa Shirodkar voluntarily left her acting career at its peak for marriage.
- She moved to New Zealand with her husband, Aparesh Ranjit, and has no regrets about her decision.
- Despite an educational gap, she never felt inferior to her double MBA banker husband.
- Life abroad, away from the limelight and a tight budget, helped her grow as an individual.
Shilpa’s story is a testament to embracing life’s unexpected turns and finding fulfillment beyond conventional career paths.
