'Shilpa Shirodkar shot dead…': Raghuveer actress reveals how a 90s promo stunt triggered chaos off-screen

Imagine going off to shoot a film and returning to your room to find out you're supposedly dead. That’s exactly what happened to actress Shilpa Shirodkar during the making of the 1995 action film Raghuveer, starring Suniel Shetty.

Back in the '90s, there were no WhatsApp updates or social media. Shilpa was in Kullu Manali, busy shooting with Suniel Shetty, when a rumour spread like wildfire claiming she had been shot dead on set. The fake news caused panic, especially at her home.

Speaking to Pinkvilla, Shilpa recalled the chaos, “My dad was calling the hotel. We didn’t have mobile phones back then. People around us at the shoot were confused whether it was really me or not, because they had read the news.”


When she returned to her hotel room, she saw 20-25 missed calls and learned that a newspaper had actually printed a headline saying she had died.

It turns out, this shocking rumour wasn’t just a mistake, it was part of the film’s promotional strategy. But no one had informed Shilpa.

“When the producer told me, I said, ‘Okay’. Yes, it was a bit too much. Back then, there were no official PR campaigns. I was the last person to know. But the film did well, so I didn’t stay angry.”

It was a different time, one without Instagram posts or formal media statements. And somehow, this bizarre rumour helped the film grab attention.

Shilpa Shirodkar’s big comeback in Jatadhara

Now, years later, Shilpa is all set to return to the big screen with Jatadhara, a pan-India supernatural thriller. The film explores the hidden mysteries of the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, mixing suspense, mythology, and a strong visual style.

Sudheer Babu leads the cast, undergoing intense training for the role. The film also features Sonakshi Sinha in her Telugu-Hindi debut. Shilpa, who was last seen on Bigg Boss 18, will play a major role in the storyline.

Inputs from agencies