Former Bollywood actress Shilpa Shirodkar reveals her surprising journey after leaving the film industry, including working as a hairdresser and credit controller in New Zealand.
Stepping Away From Stardom
Shilpa Shirodkar, a familiar face in Bollywood since her 1989 debut, decided to step away from the spotlight in 2000 after her film “Gaja Gamini.” She married banker Aparesh Ranjit and the couple moved abroad, first to the Netherlands, then to New Zealand.
Her life post-Bollywood was recently discussed on Gauahar Khan’s podcast, MaaaNoranjan, where Shilpa shared details about her unexpected career moves.
A New Skill: Hairdressing
To keep herself busy in New Zealand, Shilpa decided to pursue something practical. She enrolled in a hairdressing course, finding it somewhat related to her acting career due to the elements of makeup and styling.
After completing the course, she even worked in a salon for two months, getting hands-on experience in a completely different field.
Balancing Work and New Beginnings
However, the hairdressing job proved demanding for the newly married couple. Shilpa found that her work schedule, which required her to work weekends, clashed with her husband’s days off.
Recognizing the need to spend quality time together and build their new life, she decided the job wasn’t suitable for their situation, and she eventually quit.
The ‘SSC Fail’ Resume Experiment
When her husband asked about her next move, Shilpa had an unconventional idea. She asked him to create her resume, insisting he include the honest truth, even her “SSC fail” (Secondary School Certificate failure) and her film work.
Just for fun, she applied for a few jobs and, surprisingly, received two appointment letters after attending interviews on the same day. It was like a scene straight out of a movie, she recalled.
From Credit Controller to Motherhood
Shilpa took a job as a credit controller at Dun & Bradstreet. It wasn’t long, however, before she started feeling unusually tired and had acidity.
A friend suggested she might be pregnant, a thought Shilpa initially laughed off. Yet, after taking a test, she was stunned to see two lines confirming the news. Her husband was overjoyed, and their lives changed forever.
Despite health challenges like gestational diabetes, which required insulin and led to weight loss, Shilpa described it as “the best pregnancy ever.” After welcoming her daughter, Anushka, she made the loving decision to become a full-time mom, dedicating herself to her new role.
- Shilpa Shirodkar transitioned from a Bollywood actress to working in New Zealand after marriage.
- She pursued practical skills, including hairdressing, to stay busy.
- Her “honest” resume, including her “SSC fail,” landed her two job offers.
- She became a credit controller before discovering she was pregnant, leading her to prioritize motherhood.
Shilpa’s journey highlights a refreshing perspective on life beyond fame, embracing new experiences and family as her priority.
