Shilpa Shetty Kundra on being a mom first, heirloom pieces, and the importance of self-care

“I’m a jewellery junkie,” confesses Shilpa Shetty Kundra. Today, at the Vogue shoot she’s surrounded with Bulgari’s finest gems, a brand Shetty Kundra is all too familiar with. “I’ve been collecting ‘Serpenti’ watches by Bulgari for years now” says the 45-year-old. “Not only are they stylish, they important to me because in my Mangalorean clan, we worship the snake god,” explains Shetty Kundra. “They symbolise the beginning of mankind.” She approves of a snake-head necklace, a handful of coiled rings and a matching two-tone ‘Serpenti Seduttori’ timepiece she’s fallen in love with. Her vault already has three others (a rose gold and diamond ‘Serpenti Tubogas’ her husband surprised her with—“I kept dropping hints before my anniversary”, a tricolour model for “every day” and a green novelty in Karung leather). Shetty Kundra shops with her kids in mind and these lucky charms are sure to be heirlooms.

Today, her number one role is being mom. “If you see my Instagram handle, I define myself as a mom first because that’s always my priority,” she says to her 18.4 million-strong followers. After mom, there are several other descriptors on her profile including ‘Eternally Grateful Positive Thinker’ because Shetty Kundra truly believes that living with gratitude will change your life. With almost three decades of work behind her, she’s come a long way from her Baazigar (1993) days, reinventing herself like Bulgari’s mythological snake. Remember when she won UK’s Big Brother in 2007? Or when she invested in IPL’s Rajasthan Royals? Or judged a string of dance shows? These days she’s busy building her wellness empire and starting a fashion business. She’s also slaying at motherhood. How does she do it all? Vogue finds out more.

What are you working on right now?

I’m shooting the last few days of Nikamma with director Sabir Khan and Hungama 2 with Priyadarshan. Other than movies, I have transcended into the wellness space and I’m very proud of my app called Simple Soulful. It delves into helping you reach your fitness goals with nutrition, mediation, weight training, yoga, and an amalgamation of Pilates and yoga called it yogalates. I want people to know that in wellness it is never too late. I want to make the best of my name to help people in this area, and I’m the first Indian celebrity to have done so.

What are some passion projects you are manifesting?

I am very close to launching a clothing line completely owned by me called DreamSS. It will be for women to wear around-the-clock, whatever their role or shape may be. I feel glamour and comfort shouldn’t be restricted to size. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while, but I never had the time. I finally did it during the lockdown. I think in life, everything decides to happen at the right time. This was one of my silver linings.

Have there been any other silver linings?

My husband and I have become more spiritual. Three months ago, we made a big shift and switched to vegetarianism. It was really nice embracing this together and having my partner’s support, but he’s gone the long haul by turning vegan too! I don’t have much lactose, but if I’m tempted, I might just have that carrot cake with cream frosting, while he won’t touch it. Being vegetarian has made us more conscientious and responsible of our footprint in the world that we live in.

What has been your biggest career highlight?

I’ve had a long career that has lasted 27 years. As an actor, it would be Dhadkan (2000). As a celebrity, it would be Big Brother. It was a big turning point for me. I just feel like this was some kind of poetic justice because it opened up so many avenues and opportunities. Indian film actresses don’t really last long in the industry because they get typecast, especially back in the day, so this just changed everything for me.

How do you juggle your time between work and family? 

Since the age of 17 I’ve always worked, so I don’t know it any other way. But sometimes I can’t get my head around the amount things that I’m doing, so now I really pick and choose what I do. The work has to excite me enough to want to leave my home. It does a take a toll on you because in my kind of job I can’t delegate acting to someone else, but I can delegate a lot of other stuff.

What is the one rule you always stick to as a working mom?

I make sure I don’t work on Sundays and I don’t compromise on that. We always do a Sunday brunch and a Sunday binge! Otherwise I try and work three days a week and fix meetings on alternate days. This gives me enough time with my kids.

When is your ‘me’ time?

Every morning from 5.30AM to 7AM is for myself. I get my yoga, meditation, chanting all out of the way. If I have more time on the weekend, I like to get my knots out with a massage. Life has really changed because of COVID-19; when my son was going to school I’d have a big chunk of time, but for the last eight months, virtual school has been driving me virtually crazy. I’m quite a techno spaz so thank God my husband looks after Viaan’s schooling, and I look after my daughter.

As a wellness influencer, what advice would you give our readers?

Try to take out 15 minutes of your day in solitude to focus on your breath. I wish people would understand that sleep is a major aspect for your mental health and it helps you rejuvenate. It is so underestimated. I used to sleep from midnight to 8AM but now with COVID-19 and a baby, I sleep at 10.30PM and I’m up by 5.30AM.

What is the biggest waste of time?

Getting worked up about what other people think of you is a huge waste of time. I don’t waste my time on stuff I can’t change.

Photographed by: Taras Taraporvala. Styled by: Mohit Rai

On Shilpa: Shirt dress: Rajesh Pratap Singh. 'Serpenti Seduttori' watch with stainless steel case, 18kt rose gold bezel set with diamonds, white dial, and 18kt rose gold and stainless steel bracelet; 'Serpenti' necklace with 18kt rose gold chain and pendant, set with rubellite eyes and demi pavé diamonds; 'Serpenti' Viper ring in 18kt rose gold, set with pavé diamonds; 'Serpenti' Viper ring in 18kt rose gold, set with mother of pearl elements and pavé diamond; all Bulgari

Hair: Amit Thakur. Makeup: Ajay Shelar. Bookings Editor: Prachiti Parakh. Produced by: Happy To Help Films

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