Shilpa Shetty on dealing with husband Raj Kundra's controversy: 'Last 2 years have been difficult'

Shilpa Shetty is returning to the big screen after a long absence. The actor, who was most recently seen in the direct-to-digital film Hungama 2 (2021) now stars in Sabbir Khan's Nikamma. Abhimanyu Dassani and New Zealand-based singer Shirley Setia also star in the film.

The Dhadkan (2000) actress was surprised with a special video message from her mother, Sunanda Shetty, at the film's trailer launch. Shetty's mother described her daughter as a "survivor and a warrior."

The actress was asked about her husband, Raj Kundra, being arrested for his suspected role in the production and distribution of pornographic content during a press interview. Shilpa was also drawn into the controversy. Shilpa did not directly address the topic, but she did speak about a period in her life.

She said, “I think we are here to celebrate a new beginning. For now, let’s talk about my director Sabbir and the actors who have worked really hard on the movie — Abhimanyu and Shirley. This is not about me or my life. So, if it was pertinent to the movie, I would have answered that question.”

She afterward described herself as having braved a storm. “Talking about going through a difficult phase, yes, we’ve all in our lives been through a difficult phase. The last two years have not just been difficult for me, but a lot of people. The film industry in general (has gone through a lot), because films have been ready and they’ve been in the can, not being able to see the light of day as people couldn’t come to the theatres,” said the 46-year-old actress.

Nikamma is slated to hit cinemas on 17th June 2022.