Shilpa should stay right there: Co-star

New Delhi, Jan 18: The outrage in Bollywood circles over the racist comments against Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty in Britain's reality show "Big Brother" is getting bigger by the day! Joining the list of those expressing their shock and outrage against the racist remarks hurled at Shilpa in the internationally- renowned show is model-turned actor Gautam Kapoor, the actress co-star in the forthcoming film 'Metro'.

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

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

To her friends, she comes across as a bubbly person but from inside she is an extremely strong individual.'' ''Viewed in this regard, what is happening with Shilpa is very sad. It is just not human,''he said.

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

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

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

In fact, those among her friends and well wishers have expressed confidence that the experience, rather than deterring her, will only strengthen her resolve to stay put in the show. Shilpa's spokesperson Dale Bhagwagar, in a statement released yesterday, said inspite of the derogatory references to her by participants Jack Tweed, Danielle Lloyd and Jackie Budden on the show, the actress has maintained a dignified silence.

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

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

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

UNI