Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai’s Shilpa Shinde quits show, claims mental torture

Shilpa Shinde who plays Angoori bhabhi on Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai has quit the show. She claims she was being mentally tortured. (&TV)

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Shilpa Shinde, who plays Angoori bhabhi in &TV’s popular Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, has quit the TV show citing mental torture and a threat to her career. She also claimed that the show’s producer Benaifer Kohli of being a “terror on sets”. The channel and production house, meanwhile, has slammed Shilpa for throwing a tantrum and just stopping showing up for work.

According to a Times of India report, Shilpa said she has been mentally tortured and will take legal action against the show’s makers. “I have been mentally tortured by the channel and the production house. They have threatened to sabotage my career if I take up work on rival channels. I am extremely upset about the whole issue and especially with the fact that they have mentioned about me being unprofessional and one who throws tantrums. I have had a lot of issues but never did I crib about anything, but after such a statement, I am very upset and have stopped shooting.”

Shilpa claims she was up for pay revision after the show completed a year but it was refused to her. She also said that she was forced to shoot even when unwell. “They never gave me any off. I underwent a surgery for appendix, but these people called me within three days... I have a migraine problem. I even worked when I suffered from throat infection. I was on antibiotics but I never had them as I used to feel sleepy after taking medicines. I did everything for the show but this is what I am getting in return,” she told the daily.

Talking about Benaifer, he said, “She is a terror on the sets. Benafir mentally tortures actors. Ask the actors who have worked with her. I am planning to file a mental harassment case against her.”

The producer, meanwhile, has trained her gun on Shilpa’s attitude. Talking to a website, she said, “Shilpa was signed for a certain amount on the condition that she won’t ask for a raise. But within the first year, she asked for a raise twice and was given on both occasions. So what is she talking about? She finally said that if we don’t raise her fee a third time, she will stop coming on the sets under the pretext of a migraine. And see, that’s what she’s doing.” She also said that Shilpa has a dress designer and jewellery designer working with her but still is not happy with the situation.

Kohli also said that a legal notice has been sent to the actor. “Since she is the one to repeatedly breach the contract, we have sent across a legal notice to her and we will take necessary actions against her as instructed by our team of lawyers.”

11 Revelations made by Shilpa Shinde aka Angoori of 'Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai' on quitting the show

Shilpa Shinde's trade mark dialogue 'Sahi Pakde Hain', as 'Angoori' from &TV's comic caper 'Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai!', has become an instant hit with everyone. From children to adults, 'Angoori' has mesmerized everyone with her innocent child-like persona. Looking ravishing in saris with matching accessories, Shilpa has been basking in the success of the show. However, the actress has stopped shooting for the show owing to her fallout with the channel and the production house (&TV and EDIT 2 Production). The makers have accused the actress of throwing tantrums but Shilpa has denied all the allegations and claims innocence. In an exclusive conversation with TV Times, Shilpa Shinde clears the air about the controversy... (Credits: Vijaya Tiwari)

1. On not shooting for the show

The &TV officials wanted me to sign an exclusive contract with them, which I said no to. I don't think it is justified to bind any actor by contract. I was ready to sign a bond which would not allow me to do a similar character like Angoori on any other platform. But this didn't go down well with Vikas Gupta from &TV. When I refused to sign the contract, they started spreading rumours in the media that I throw tanturms on the set. They even refused to give me a raise during my contract renewal.

2. The actress has stopped shooting

I have not been shooting post March 3, 2016. When the problem first started, they gave me a two-day off, thinking they will get my replacement. But when they failed to find someone, they started pressurizing me to sign the exclusive contract and resume the shoot. They even threatened me that they will take a legal action against me, if I don't report on the set.

3. They treat us like puppets

The Production house (Edit 2) is the main culprit. They, along with the channel, think that actors are puppets and they will make us dance to their tunes. They will not agree to anything on paper, but will make sure that we give everything in writing.

4. They tell me that I have a record of throwing tantrums

If this was the case why did they wait for an entire year. If I was really throwing tantrums, then why didn't they sack me at the start of the project? I have a very good reputation in the industry and my work speaks for me. I worked on 'Chidiya Ghar' for a long time. If I would have been a tantrum queen, the production house (Garima Production) would have never repeated me in their show 'Lapataganj'.

5. Asking for a special designer on the sets

I was trying to help them. The designer, who was hired to make my clothes for the show, gave me shabby clothes to wear. I am in the entertainment business where my character demands me to look good. I requested them to sit down with the designer, at least once, and solve the problem. But they never bothered to do it. There were so many times I wore my own stuff for the show. I told them if you are not paying me for using my personal stuff on the show, then don't pay the designer, too. I was trying to save their money.

6. Not getting leaves even when she was unwell

They never gave me any off. I underwent a surgery for appendix, but these people called me within three days. Luckily, I got an extra off on the fourth day due to Eid. I have a migraine problem. I even worked when I suffered from throat infection. I was on antibiotics but I never had them as I used to feel sleepy after taking medicines. I did everything for the show but this is what I am getting in return.

7. About Producer Benafir Kohli

She is a terror on the sets. Benafir mentally tortures actors. Ask the actors who have worked with her. I am planning to file a mental harassment case against her. She is so insecure that she wants everything in writing from the stars. On the other hand, she will not commit to anything.

8. Will she come back on the show?

It is highly impossible that I will return to the show. I don't think I am wrong. If I ask them to revise my money, it’s my right. The show has completed a year and I am due for a fee revision. They have taken advantage of my kindness. They thought I will get scared if they mentally torture me and pressurize me, but I won't. They have threatened to sabotage my career, if I take up work on rival channels. Now, they are trying everything to bring me back. Be it filing a complaint against me in CINTAA, or threatening to take a legal action against me, but I know I am not at fault. They always talk about contracts, but we don't have these contracts with us. All the original documents are with them. Even if they have forged the documents, I would not come to know since I have never seen them.

9. None of the co-stars supported me

Everyone is worried about their own money. They don't want to get into any trouble. The sad part is, we were a team and they know that whatever the production house is saying is untrue. But none of them are willing to say the truth. They are so scared of Benafir that they don't want to risk their money.

10. Is Rashami replacing her?

I don't know anything about it. They have to take an NOC from me, before replacing Rashami with me. If they do it without my permission, I will go to CINTAA. Right now, my only concern is recovering my dues of the last three months.

11. On doing 'The Kapil Sharma show'

It is a dream project for any actor. I think it is a great opportunity for me as an actor.