Shilpa Shetty, slated to play a police officer in Rohit Shetty’s debut OTT series “Indian Police Force,” expresses her desire for a scenario where Indian women can portray characters similar to those embodied by Gal Gadot and Scarlett Johansson.
In contrast to Hollywood, Hindi cinema lacks an abundance of female-led action films, remarks Shilpa Shetty, expressing her hope for a shift in this trend in the near future. The actress, set to play a police officer in Rohit Shetty’s inaugural OTT series “Indian Police Force,” notes that audiences are eager to witness women in action-packed roles on the screen.
She attributes the scarcity of female-centric action films in India to budget constraints and the persistent influence of a male-dominated society. Shetty aspires to witness a change, envisioning a scenario where Indian women can take on roles akin to those portrayed by Gal Gadot and Scarlett Johansson. She expresses a personal desire to engage in a film reminiscent of “Long Kiss Goodnight,” highlighting Geena Davis’s remarkable performance in the movie.
“Emotional and powerful, these films present a unique opportunity, and I hope filmmakers seize it, given the surge in quality content creation. Whether it’s for OTT platforms or traditional films, there’s a readiness among people for this kind of storytelling,” the 48-year-old actor shared with PTI.
In the upcoming series “Indian Police Force,” Shilpa Shetty takes on the role of police officer Tara Shetty. This venture is hailed as the latest installment in Rohit Shetty’s cinematic cop universe, which commenced with the 2011 film Singham and expanded through Singham Returns (2014), Simmba (2018), and Sooryavanshi (2021). The series is set to feature Sidharth Malhotra and Vivek Oberoi.
Having made her debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Baazigar (1993) and subsequently appearing in notable films like Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Dhadkan, Phir Milenge, and Life in a… Metro, Shetty expressed gratitude to Rohit Shetty for casting her in a role that aligns with her age in Indian Police Force.
Referring to her character as a “shero,” Shilpa Shetty expressed a reluctance to take on roles that aren’t age-appropriate. Emphasizing that age is more than just a number and also about how one is aging, she highlighted the importance of looking the part for casting decisions. Shetty remarked that the industry is now witnessing a positive shift, with women being offered substantial roles that align with their age and character requirements.
Speaking about her role in “Indian Police Force,” Shilpa Shetty lauded it as a tribute to the selfless service, unwavering commitment, and fierce patriotism demonstrated by police officers across the nation.
The actor revealed that her character in the series was initially envisioned for a male actor, but the filmmaker ultimately chose Shilpa Shetty for the role.
“I’m the sole female cop in the cop universe depicted in the series. The filmmaker has approached the character without altering anything based on gender, which is commendable,” she mentioned. Describing the role as exceptionally well-written and challenging, Shetty emphasized the character’s senior position, assertiveness, and authority, making it a compelling and intricate part for an artist.
In preparing for the role, Shetty shared that she subconsciously drew inspiration from the former IPS officer Kiran Bedi.
“I’ve portrayed the character exactly as Rohit envisioned. There might be a hint of her (Bedi) in it. Given her authoritative speaking style, that was lingering in the back of my mind,” she explained.
Despite experiencing a leg injury during the shooting of the show and recovering at home, Shetty went on to sign her next project, the pan-India film “KD-The Devil.” The period action entertainer, directed by filmmaker Prem and featuring Druva Sarja and Sanjay Dutt, among others.
“When he (Prem) came to narrate the script, I was hesitant initially, thinking I might not be in the right frame of mind. However, halfway through the narration, with my broken foot, I got up and said, ‘I’ll do it.'” Shetty added that she deliberately opts for roles that bring surprises to the audience.
“I’ve made a conscious decision to take on characters that are different from what I’ve done before and aim to surprise people. While many see Shilpa Shetty through the lens of glamour, they tend to overlook the diverse characters I’ve portrayed in the past. It’s not their fault, considering I didn’t undertake a lot of projects in the last ten years. Now, as I’ve committed to working again, I approach it with a fresh perspective. From ‘Indian Police Force’ to KD, each project showcases a completely distinct persona, and I aspire for my upcoming ventures to be equally diverse.” In addition to Shetty, “Indian Police Force” will feature Shweta Tiwari and Nikitin Dheer. The seven-part action series is set to premiere on January 19 on the streaming platform Prime Video.
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