She might not have her sister's experience but Shamita's certainly got the oomph! She's managed to scorch us all the way from South Africa.
It took some trying to get through to the younger Shetty sibling. She's been busy with the IPL, sticking by her sister's side. The Rajasthan Royals might not have repeated their 2008 triumph but hey, they couldn't have asked for a better pair of cheerleaders!
Text and photographs: Maxim India
'At home, Shilpa wasn't the big actress'
Photographs: Maxim India
What's the weather like out there?
Extremely cold. Bloemfontain was freezing. It was so chilly that we wanted to get up but we just couldn't, you know. I had gone back to Mumbai for a week and when I came back, the temperature had gone nearly sub-zero!
Sounds like you're chilling. We always wondered what it's like being a celebrity sibling?
Honestly, it was pretty normal. At home, Shilpa wasn't the big actress. She was the elder daughter, the big sister. My parents never treated us differently. Of course, as I was growing up, it did get a bit annoying. You have to watch everything you say and you wear etc. You're forced to live with no privacy.
'I'm working on absolutely nothing because I'm looking for the perfect offer'
Photographs: Maxim India
So how come you jumped into acting?
I never did. It just happened to me. I was a really shy kid, extremely private. And I value my privacy a lot. Even though the offers were coming in after high school, I had consciously decided to take over my father's business. I ended up quitting my B.Com after a year because that just wasn't my cup of tea. And went for a diploma in fashion designing instead. It was after this that I got a call from Yash Raj Films for Mohabbatein.
Ah yes! The dream launch alongside Bollywood biggies like Shah Rukh Khan and Big B...
It was both a blessing and a curse. When you start off with the best, you tend to want a lot more from the kind of work you do. Which is why I have now decided I'm only going to do films that appeal to me.
Which is why we're not seeing you in anything of late?Yup. I'm working on absolutely nothing because I'm looking for the perfect offer, something I can honestly say I'll be happy doing. As of late, there are some really good directors who have come up on the scene.
'I have been single for the past two-and-a-half years'
Photographs: Maxim India
Let's get to the point, Shamita. Are you single?
Yes, I am. And I'm going to let you on a little secret. I have been for the past two-and-a-half years.
Whoa... that's a long time, girl!
Hey, I just needed some time alone, that's all! I was trying to figure out what all I wanted from a relationship.
So you ready to get back in the game?
[Laughs] Maybe.
'I used to have a thing for bad boys'
Photographs: Maxim India
Let's say you are. What sort of guys would you go for?
Earlier, I used to have a thing for bad boys. But I think I've got my priorities a lot better now. Now I need a guy who can stimulate me intellectually as well.
We're bad boys who can quote Shakespeare. Would we work?
No. But Hugh Jackman would. I loved him in Australia. And he was just amazing at the Oscars. Ooh! Another guy who would totally do it for me would be Patrick Dempsey from Grey's Anatomy. He's totally McDreamy!
'I'm an all-guy girl'
Photographs: Maxim India
If there was one female celeb you would go gay for, who would it be?
I'm an all-guy girl. Always have been, always will be.
What's the wildest thing you have ever done? Sexual encounters are welcome.
You seriously think I'm going to tell you? Besides, my parents might be reading this.
Man, your parents are cool!
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