Shilpa’s big plans The actress-turned-businesswoman will return to the small-screen as a judge on a reality TV sho

Shilpa’s big plans

The actress-turned-businesswoman will return to the small-screen as a judge on a reality TV show

Her son Viaan is six-and-half-months old and Shilpa Shetty, like all working mothers is mentally prepared to return to work now — in her case, to face the arclights. While films will have to wait for another year, she is all set to return to the small-screen as one of the judges on the upcoming dance reality show Nach Baliye. “That’s because I will be shooting only once a week. Viaan is also getting into the grind of things and I am prepared now. The show has come to me at the right time,” smiles Shilpa, who looked stunning in black pants and a white top. Clearly, marriage and motherhood sit well with the actress. “Being a wife and a mother is a full-time job and I am enjoying it,” beams Shilpa, whose husband Raj Kundra was waiting patiently for her to finish the interview to have dinner. The actress, who herself is hailed as one of the best dancers in the industry, is looking forward to seeing real-life couples shake a leg in the show. “This show is different because it doesn’t have professional dancers. It is about real-life couples and their real journey as partners will be translated into their dance. That’s how I look at it,” says Shilpa, who will also be seen grooving in special episodes. Shilpa, who garnered critical acclaim for her performances in films like Phir Milenge, Dhadkan and Life...In a Metro, feels that today’s heroines get a lot of meat in their roles. She, however, has no complaints and is all praise for Vidya Balan in particular. “I loved what Vidya did in The Dirty Picture. She is really gutsy. She did a Parineeta and The Dirty Picture. How many people would take that risk?” quips the actress, who reinvented herself each time she faced a setback. Whether it’s being part of the international reality show Big Brother, her Yoga DVDs or owning a cricket team, Shilpa has done it all. “Contrived as it may sound, whatever I do, I do it from my heart. I have always taken risks. Now, I am working on something even bigger and better and hope to make an announcement soon,” she smiles as she joins her husband for dinner.