After 14 years ‘banwaas’ Shilpa Shetty returns to films, ‘Nikamma’ Abhimanyu loves sleeping, Shirley the pani-puri addict

Versatile actress, fitness-icon and dance reality TV show judge Shilpa Shetty is back in action after what she calls as a ’14 years self-exile (banwaas) from big-screen cinema acting” - Chaitanya Padukone

The fitness-icon Shilpa who is playing an unconventional yet challenging role in her comeback movie gives credit to director Sabbir Khan for her return as an actress to cinema-screens. “ Shared Shilpa, “ It was the exciting role of Avni the woman with super-powers, the different content of the film ‘Nikamma’ and the co-actors Abhimanyu Dassani and singer-actress Shirley Sethia which allured me back into movie-acting, “ disclosed Shilpa who also said that there was a lot she could learn from her talented young-generation co-stars Abhimanyu and Shirley.

The action-packed engaging trailer of Shilpa Shetty, Abhimanyu Dassani and Shirley Setia’s action-romantic thriller ‘Nikamma directed by Sabbir Khan was launched with fanfare at an exclusive event at the Juhu-PVR theatre .

During the media interaction that followed the ‘Nikamma’ trailer launch, Shilpa was also asked about the alleged indecent-movies-explicit-content case involving her entrepreneur husband Raj Kundra.

The cool and chilled-out Shilpa was unfazed chose to answer the question in a generic way. “Like you saw my screen-avataar Avni in the Nikamma movie trailer, of rising above and playing a superwoman; I think we all have played really strong characters in our real lives, and gone a difficult phase.

We’ve faced the storm and I think it’s the time to celebrate newer beginnings and more positive things, so let’s focus on that, “ responded the tall svelte ‘Baazigar’ girl.

Bollywood actor Abhimanyu Dassani, who's gearing up for the release of his upcoming film 'Nikamma', spoke about his experience of working on the film with his co-actor Shilpa Shetty, at the trailer launch of the film.

Incidentally both his parents Bhagyashree and Abhimanyu were present in the audience all thru. It was very touching when Bhagyshree became very emotional as she also showered her affection on her laadla son Abhimanyu “Bahut jaan lagaa di mere bête ney, I am speechless. Keep Abhimanyu in your hearts ” is my humble appeal,” reacted the charming Bhagyashree.

The actor Abhimanyu shared that effervescent co-star Shilpa who makes her comeback lifts up the mood of the place the moment she walks in. Said Abhimanyu, "Even after all these years, she has a newcomer childlike curiosity and enthusiasm towards her work which is something I really appreciate and wish to cultivate for myself.. We both jammed together on fitness. I had to gain ten kilos for the film," to which Shilpa interjected by jokingly commenting, "kitnaa khaata hai ye (how much he eats!)."

Later Shilpa revealed how on the sets behind the movie-camera Abhimanyu would feel drowsy and fall fast asleep. Confessed Abhimanyu, “That’s so true, I even have candid pictures of me sleeping—taking a power-nap on the sets behind the camera during day-time of all my movies till now. At night I would dream,” laughs the amiable actor.

Sharing what he has learnt from Shilpa when it comes to fitness and diet, Abhimanyu said that he has learnt to enjoy every meal and snacks.

"During the filming we had a blast as we went around the city of Lucknow and gorged on local delicacies from Sunday to Friday."

Meanwhile internet viral sensation exuberant singer- actress Shirley Sethia (originally from Auckland city in New Zealand) confessed that “she is an addict of popular desi ‘chaat’ snack ‘Pani-Puri’” .

She mentioned how she refrained from her favorite snack as she had to tone down her body, during a song shoot Shirley also shared, how she patiently waited all thru (for two years) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Simply because, the release of ‘Nikamma’ co-produced with Sony Pictures International and directed by Sabbir had to be postponed due to the adverse situation. .

The movie Nikamma will finally hit the theatres ( release) with a big bang on Friday June 17, 2022.