Veteran actress Shilpa Shirodkar, who made her Bollywood debut in 1989 with Ramesh Sippy's Bhrashtachar, has revealed that she had been searching for work before deciding to participate in Bigg Boss 18. In a candid interview with The Indian Express, Shilpa shared that despite her efforts to reconnect with the industry, she was repeatedly told there were no opportunities available. She also revealed that many people were unwilling to even meet with her.

Discussing her decision to join Bigg Boss 18, Shilpa said, "Honestly, I am a huge fan of the show. Every time I watched it, my daughter would say I should go on it. The family is very happy that I’m going inside the house." She explained that with her daughter now 20 years old and her husband often traveling for work, she was eager to re-enter the workforce and do something for herself. However, her attempts to find roles in the industry were met with disappointment. "I was trying to look for work and connect with people, but everybody kept telling me there was no work," she explained.

For Shilpa, the reality show represents a significant opportunity. "I’m taking this up because I’m an actor by profession; it’s my job. What better platform than this for me?" she said, adding that Bigg Boss is also work in her eyes. "People look at it differently, but it’s a job. My goal in doing this is to get more work afterward. I’m not being fake or diplomatic here—I was seeking work, but people were not ready to even meet me."

Shilpa, who has worked alongside Bollywood legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty, and Govinda, became a well-established star with memorable roles in films like Kishen Kanhaiya, Trinetra, Hum, Khuda Gawah, Aankhen, and Gopi Kishan. Despite her past success, she has found it difficult to secure new opportunities in recent years.

As the younger sister of former actress Namrata Shirodkar and the sister-in-law of superstar Mahesh Babu, Shilpa Shirodkar is hopeful that her participation in Bigg Boss 18 will help revitalize her career and open doors to new opportunities in the entertainment industry.