Shilpa Shetty should stay right there: Co-star

New Delhi, Jan 18: The outrage in Bollywood circles over theracist comments against Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty in Britain'sreality show "Big Brother" is getting bigger by the day!

Joining thelist of those expressing their shock and outrage against the racistremarks hurled at Shilpa in the internationally- renowned show ismodel-turned actor Gautam Kapoor, the actress co-star in theforthcoming film 'Metro'.

''What is happening with Shilpa in 'Big Brother' is reallyshocking and shameful. It is shocking that in a financially strongcountry like Britain, some people are behaving in such a shamefulmanner. It also brings forth to the world the image of British societybeing a highly regressive one,''Gautam told UNI in an interview here.

Stating that he had, during a recent shoot for a advertisement ina film magazine, an opportunity to know Shilpa from close quarters,Gautam said,''I found Shilpa to be an extremely nice person - anendearing human being with good family values.

To her friends, she comes across as a bubbly person but frominside she is an extremely strong individual.'' ''Viewed in thisregard, what is happening with Shilpa is very sad. It is just nothuman,''he said.

Notwithstanding the traumatic experience undergone by Shilpa inthe programme the actress broke down on Monday after allegedly beingtaunted by fellow inmates in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' show onChannel 4 about her mannerisms and colour), Gautam felt that hertremendous inner strength would see her through it all.

''Shilpa is a very strong person. I am sure she will come out ofit. In fact, she should stay right there only instead of quitting,''hesaid.

The words of support from her co-star follow close on the heels ofseveral people in films circles like Mahesh Bhatt coming out againstthe racist remarks that she has been subjected to during the show.

In fact, those among her friends and well wishers have expressedconfidence that the experience, rather than deterring her, will onlystrengthen her resolve to stay put in the show. Shilpa's spokespersonDale Bhagwagar, in a statement released yesterday, said inspite of thederogatory references to her by participants Jack Tweed, Danielle Lloydand Jackie Budden on the show, the actress has maintained a dignifiedsilence.

''I admit it is racist and that she is being targeted for herAsian origin. But look at the positive side- most viewers aresympathising with her,'' remarked Bhagwagar.

He is confident that the actress will not let such setbacks hamperher chances on the show. ''Shilpa is a very strong-willed person, whileall these brickbats are nothing but a result of insecurity of the otherparticipants. If not, they would not have even bothered to make her themain topic of discussion on the show,'' he added.

The racist remarks against Shilpa have evoked condemnation frompeople of all sections of society in India as well as local Asians inBritain. Further, the happenings in the show have been condemned bymany people in Britain including those in the Government.

UNI

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