In an industry where a name can be both a golden ticket and a target, Bollywood veteran Shilpa Shetty is speaking out against what she calls the “clickbait” culture surrounding her life. After months of swirling rumors regarding her business ventures and personal associations, the actor-entrepreneur has broken her long-standing “never complain, never explain” rule to address the sensationalism that often follows her.
The Power and Penalty of a Name
During a candid conversation with Curly Tales this week, Shetty reflected on how her identity is frequently leveraged for digital engagement. “As a celebrity, the unfortunate part is that my name has become like clickbait,” she remarked. The actress noted that while she has spent decades building a legacy as a fitness icon and performer, those achievements are often overshadowed by headlines designed to provoke a reaction rather than inform.
The sentiment echoes a growing frustration within her family. Her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, has previously slammed the media for dragging her name into his legal challenges, arguing that it is unfair to use her hard-earned reputation to drive views for unrelated controversies.
Facing the Rumor Mill
The “clickbait” label comes at a time when Shetty’s professional life has been under a microscope. Specifically, rumors about the closure of her popular Mumbai restaurant, Bastian, forced her to step out of her stoic silence.
Social media was recently flooded with speculation that the Dadar and Bandra outlets were shutting down. Author Shobhaa De recently suggested on a podcast that the restaurant earns an astronomical ₹2–3 crore per night—a claim Shetty and co-owner Ranjit Bindra were quick to clarify as aspirational rather than factual.
“I’ve never sought to explain because I believe you should never complain,” Shetty said. “But this time it was about a brand we’ve put so much love and passion into. I had to take to social media.”
Resilience Amidst the Noise
Despite the “negative PR,” Shetty remains grounded. She and Bindra pointed out that the brand is still thriving, with eight restaurants now operating under their umbrella. Interestingly, she viewed the recent wave of attention with a touch of characteristic optimism, noting that even “negative PR” can lead to organic growth if the core of the business is solid.
As 2026 unfolds, Shetty continues to balance her roles as a judge, entrepreneur, and fitness advocate. While the “clickbait” nature of the internet may not change, her approach has: she is now choosing when to speak, ensuring that her voice—not just her name—is what people hear. To know such latest updates tuned tellyboosters.com Thank you!
