Entertainment
‘Shilpa Shirodkar shot dead’: Actress recalls shocking fake headline that left her family terrified
The actress reveals how a newspaper’s false report during the shooting of Raghuveer sparked panic, only for her to later learn it was a publicity stunt for the film.
Mumbai: Veteran actress Shilpa Shirodkar has recalled one of the most shocking incidents of her career, revealing how a false newspaper headline once declared that she had been shot dead, leaving her family and close friends in complete panic.
Speaking in an interview with Pinkvilla, the actress looked back at the bizarre episode from the mid-1990s, admitting that she had no idea about the rumour while she was busy filming in the hills of Kullu-Manali.
A Headline That Shocked Everyone
The incident reportedly took place during the shooting of the 1995 action film Raghuveer, in which Shilpa Shirodkar starred alongside Suniel Shetty.
At the time, a newspaper carried a sensational headline claiming that the actress had been shot dead on the film’s set. The report spread quickly, leaving her family desperate to contact her.
Recalling the incident, Shilpa said mobile phones were not common then, making communication far more difficult. While she continued shooting without any knowledge of the news, her father repeatedly tried contacting the hotel where the film’s team was staying.
She remembered that even people present at the shooting location were confused after reading the report, wondering whether the woman on the set was actually her.
‘There Were 20–25 Missed Calls’
The actress said she only realised something was wrong after returning to her hotel room following the day’s shoot.
She found nearly 20 to 25 missed calls, with her parents and loved ones desperately trying to confirm that she was safe.
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According to Shilpa, her family had been left deeply worried after reading the newspaper headline announcing her death.
The Truth Behind the Rumour
It was only later that the actress discovered the shocking truth.
Shilpa revealed that the fake report had allegedly been planned as a publicity stunt by the film’s producer to generate attention for Raghuveer ahead of its release.
Looking back, she admitted that the campaign had gone too far, but said such promotional tactics were not uncommon during that period, when there were no social media platforms or organised public relations strategies.
She also revealed that she herself was the last person to know about the publicity gimmick, adding that actors were rarely informed or asked for permission before such promotions were carried out.
Despite the controversy, Shilpa said she did not remain angry because the film eventually performed well at the box office.
A Popular Star of the 1990s
During the 1990s, Shilpa Shirodkar established herself as one of Bollywood’s leading actresses with a string of successful films.
Her filmography includes popular titles such as Khuda Gawah, Hum, Aankhen, Pehchaan, Gopi Kishan, Bewafa Sanam, and Mrityudand, making her one of the most recognisable faces of the era.
Years later, the actress continues to look back at the incident with surprise, describing it as one of the most unbelievable experiences of her career.
