Gunjan Chaudhary
Veteran actress Shilpa Shirodkar has revealed that she almost featured in one of Bollywood’s most iconic songs, Chaiyya Chaiyya, before eventually losing the opportunity. The actress shared that choreographer-director Farah Khan had initially approached her for the song but later decided against casting her because of her weight. Shilpa made the candid revelation while appearing on India’s Best Dancer Season 5, leaving the audience and judges surprised.
Shilpa Shirodkar
‘Farah Gave Me 15 Days to Lose Weight’
During the show, host Harsh Limbachiyaa asked Shilpa whether she had originally been considered for Chaiyya Chaiyya. Confirming the story, the actress recalled that Farah had asked her to lose weight before filming. “Farah actually brought the song to me and said, ‘Here’s the song, but I’m giving you 15 days. Lose weight,'” Shilpa said. She added that she survived on boiled vegetables for the next two weeks in an effort to slim down. “I did lose weight, but according to Farah, it wasn’t enough. She came back and said, ‘Sorry, but you’re still too heavy. We can’t cast you for this song.’ Eventually, the song was done with Malaika Arora,” she revealed.
Shilpa Shirodkar
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Shilpa also addressed reports about her weight at the time, saying, “Farah claims I weighed 100 kg. I wasn’t 100 kg. But yes, I was overweight, and that’s why I didn’t get the song.” Judge Geeta Kapur smiled as Shilpa narrated the incident, revealing that she had witnessed it firsthand. “I was the assistant choreographer back then,” Geeta said, confirming that she was present during the making of the iconic track.
Shilpa Shirodkar
Impressed by Shilpa’s candidness, Harsh Limbachiyaa praised the actress for speaking so openly about a difficult moment in her career. He remarked that very few actors would honestly acknowledge losing a major opportunity because of their weight, calling Shilpa’s honesty admirable. Released in 1998 as part of Dil Se.., Chaiyya Chaiyya featured Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora dancing atop a moving train. Choreographed by Farah Khan, the song went on to become one of the most celebrated musical sequences in Indian cinema and remains popular decades later.
Shilpa Shirodkar
Shilpa Shirodkar was among the leading actresses of the 1990s and appeared in several successful films, including Hum and Kishen Kanhaiya. More recently, she returned to the spotlight through her appearance on Bigg Boss 18, reconnecting with a new generation of viewers. Her latest revelation has given fans a fascinating glimpse into a “what could have been” moment in Bollywood history, had she gone on to perform one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic songs.