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Shilpa’s ready to shine

1/11/2007

Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty spoke to Angela Kelly about Celebrity Big Brother, keeping fit and her new stage musical...

BOLLYWOOD beauty Shilpa Shetty wants UK audiences to see what she really does for a living.

They may, she admits, know her ‘real self’ through those upsetting moments in Celebrity Big Brother when the so-called Three Witches – Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O’Meara – appeared to subject her to racist taunts.

But the 32 year old, who eventually won the competition with a landslide vote, says that the aptly titled Miss Bollywood musical is a chance for British audiences to see where her professional talents lie. And Manchester has the opportunity to see her in this stunning show at the Opera House next week.

It follows the story of Maya (Shetty), a classically trained dancer and choreographer, recently arrived from India during the build-up to the 2012 Olympics. She sets up a dance academy in a soon-to-be-demolished East London building and quickly finds herself in the limelight.

Now she must sink or swim, but her tribulations include the unwanted attentions of a famous but predatory choreographer and a jealous diva.

Apart from being spectacular, the show’s theme is a different but gentle take on the East-West cultural divide presented with warmth and charm. It’s produced by Farhath Hussain – a world-renowned figure in lavish stage shows – and with a performing company of more than 40.

It involves a creative collaboration between award-winning choreographer Ganesh Hegde, hit screenwriter Niranjan Iyengar, theatrical writer/producer Michael E Ward and film costume designer Neeta Lulla.

This very physical show combines eclectic dance forms, and also has Shilpa herself capturing on stage some of the Bollywood film industry’s greatest hits over the past 40 years.

She was doing a recce of the Manchester venue ahead of her UK tour which starts in the city – and after a hectic show launch in Europe – when we chatted.

"The show premiered in Berlin, which was amazing," she said in those beautifully clipped tones that endeared her to TV audiences while, apparently, irritating a couple of her BB housemates. It was quite surreal to see German women in saris," she laughed, "but wonderful as well. And, even though the show is in English and set in England, everyone seemed to understand the plot and appreciate it. We had standing ovations every night."

Shilpa had already carved out a successful career in Bollywood movies before British TV audiences caught her on their BB radar and sympathised with her ladylike manner and sensible handling of the nasty taunts.

But, she insisted with an ironic laugh, "This is now past. I’ve moved on, even if other people haven’t."

Already a star in India where the film business is huge, Shilpa established her credentials through a clutch of box-office hit films and has a massive international fan base. Her singing and dancing talents already honed, she has found her first foray into stage shows "hard work but very exciting".

"There are 15 costume changes, and it has marvellous choreography with some strenuous dancing," she said.

Does she have a problem keeping fit enough for such high-octane performances?

"Oh, no," she stated. "I have a personal trainer with me and I try to get to the gym as well sometimes. I eat very sensibly, but you do burn up a lot of calories in the show so I get the extra carbs I need from eating bananas and fuel bars."

Shilpa is also a devotee of yoga, and she has been working for the past three months on a new fitness DVD which will be in the shops in January.

The show will tour right across the country and into Scotland before it finishes its run at the Royal Albert Hall on December 12, promising to set London alight with some seriously hot dancing. After such a gruelling schedule, will Shilpa be taking a well-earned rest? "For about 10 days," she added, "then I will be making a new film The Man, which will be released here, too."

For the confident and accomplished Miss Shetty, the future is undoubtedly bright, offering plenty of opportunities to distance herself from controversy – and let her talent do the talking.

Miss Bollywood runs at the Opera House from Saturday until Tuesday, November 6. For tickets ring 0870 401 9000

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