Exclusive! Shehnaaz Gill: Maine scripts choose karne mein hurry kar di

Shehnaaz Gill knows that her Bollywood journey could have taken a different turn. The popularity she gained with Bigg Boss 13 opened the doors to Hindi cinema, but the projects that followed did not give her the kind of roles she was looking for. She now admits she picked up projects in haste and says she has learnt to be more selective. Excerpts from a conversation...‘There is a language barrier when it comes to me in Bollywood’Shehnaaz believes that language could be one of the reasons she has not been approached for more Hindi films. She says, “I think there is a language barrier when it comes to me in Bollywood, which is why I feel makers don’t approach me. But they’ve never seen the kind of actor I am. When they figure that out, I’m sure things will change.”Talking about several South actors making a mark in Hindi cinema, she says, “Is there anything stopping South actors? They are working. It is all about chadhte suraj ko salaam karte hai... toh hum Punjab se suraj Mumbai chadhayenge aur inko batayenge.”Shehnaaz has also continued to work in Punjabi cinema, where she has turned producer. She headlined and produced Ikk Kudi, which released in 2025, and was more recently, was seen in Singh vs Kaur 2 with Gippy Grewal.‘You learn from your mistakes’Looking back at her acting career, Shehnaaz says, “You can say that I picked up projects in haste initially. I didn’t do impactful roles. If I had done that, people would see me with a different perspective. Maine script choose karne mein hurry kar di. But you learn from your mistakes. I am getting more mature now. There should be something for you to do in a film. If there is nothing, then it’s pointless. The audience is going to watch the film for you, right? They shouldn’t be disappointed.”But her first Bollywood outing, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, which gave her an opportunity to work with Salman Khan, comes without regrets. “That was a fun film and I was happy to be part of it. Salman sir had told me that after this film, take up impactful roles. That was good advice,” she shares.Movies apart, ask her if she wants to do more reality shows and she says, “I have become a little less easily available now. I want people to go to cinema halls, buy tickets and watch me (smiles).”Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!