Shilpa Shetty refuses to compromise on film choices despite OTT boom

Bandra-based actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra has declared her refusal to compromise on her film choices despite the ongoing boom of Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platforms. Speaking about her career on June 8, 2026, the actress emphasized her desire for theatrical releases over direct-to-digital projects so her children can experience her work on the big screen.

Shetty explained that she has reached a point in her career where she wants to justify her screen presence. Having balanced films, television, and entrepreneurship over the years, she stated she is unwilling to settle or compromise on the quality of her projects.

According to Shetty, the film industry is currently experiencing a lull as filmmakers increasingly opt for the safety of OTT platforms. She noted that the overall mathematics, costing, and risk management of making films have shifted, leading producers to avoid the unpredictability of theatrical releases.

"The industry is going through a little bit of a lull also because they'd rather not take the onus or the risk and just do OTT," Shetty said. She added that she does not blame producers because the entire financial structure of filmmaking has changed.

A key motivator for Shetty's selective approach is her family. She revealed that her children have never seen her in a commercial movie theater. While her son watched her 2023 film Sukhee, he did so in a private preview theater. Shetty expressed disappointment over the limited theatrical run of Sukhee, stating the lack of available theaters did a disservice to the movie, though she acknowledged that OTT platforms allow audiences to discover films at their own pace.

Currently hosting the cooking reality show Maa Hai Na, Shetty described 2026 as a busy year for her professionally. Despite turning down several major film offers, she maintained that she stands firmly by her choices, adding that the length of a role has never been her primary criterion for accepting a project.