You have to keep proving yourself: Actor Shehnaaz Gill on surviving Bollywood
Actor Shehnaaz Gill, in an interview, said artists must keep proving themselves in the industry. She also spoke about how recognition, release timing and audience response shape a film's journey.
Actor Shehnaaz Gill has come a long way from being a popular television personality to carving a space for herself in films. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, the actor reflected on her journey, why she believes every artist must constantly prove themselves, the recognition she has earned over the years, and the mindset that keeps her grounded despite her success.
The actor, who is currently promoting her film Ishqnama, said, “Everyone in my family is very happy now, but earlier they didn’t really understand this industry. Here, you have to prove yourself constantly. The industry, too, has to recognise what you’re capable of. You only get good films once you’ve proved yourself. Only a good artist truly understands the power of this industry. Otherwise, people don’t recognise your talent.”
Asked when she felt audiences began seeing her as more than just a television personality, the Bigg Boss 13 star credited the love she received for Ikk Kudi (2025).
"I think Ikk Kudi did very good business in Punjab. My fans are pan-India now. People loved the film, and I feel very proud that they started recognising me as an actor and not just a television face," she said.
The Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan actor believes she has been fortunate that every project she has taken up has resonated with audiences.
"Whatever I do, my stars have been kind to me. I'm only talking about what I've seen till now. I don't know what the future holds. But whatever I do somehow becomes a highlight. If I do a TV show or a film, people appreciate it. I just hope the same luck and blessings stay with me in the future," she added.
Despite enjoying a loyal fan following, Gill insists she doesn't allow expectations to become a burden.
"I'm a very different kind of person. I don't take pressure. If I start taking pressure, I'll drive people crazy. I just can't function like that. I believe in moving on. Once I've done a project and finished its promotions, I let it go. Whether it works or not is not in my hands. What matters is that I worked hard and chose a good project. If people appreciate that hard work, that's the biggest reward," she explained.
Having said that, she also reflected on how a film's fate often depends on timing, citing Triptii Dimri and Avinash Tiwary's Laila Majnu (2018) as an example.
"Look at Laila Majnu, it worked after so many years; they had to re-release the film because many people didn't go to watch it in theatres. But later, audiences discovered it and loved it. I find that film the best. Some films are like that. It's about the right timing, and sometimes it isn't," she said.
Gill concluded the conversation by expressing hope that Ishqnama receives all the love it deserves, saying that the entire team has put in immense hard work to bring the film to life.
“I hope it's the right release date for the film. Let's see what happens. Even if people watch it later, I hope it works in theatres because everyone has put in a lot of hard work. I especially feel for the producer because they've invested so much money in making the film," she concluded.
The Punjabi film Ishqnama, which released in theatres on July 24, stars Jayy Randhawa and Shehnaaz Gill. It tells a cross-border true love story set in 1982.
Actor Shehnaaz Gill has come a long way from being a popular television personality to carving a space for herself in films. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, the actor reflected on her journey, why she believes every artist must constantly prove themselves, the recognition she has earned over the years, and the mindset that keeps her grounded despite her success.
The actor, who is currently promoting her film Ishqnama, said, “Everyone in my family is very happy now, but earlier they didn’t really understand this industry. Here, you have to prove yourself constantly. The industry, too, has to recognise what you’re capable of. You only get good films once you’ve proved yourself. Only a good artist truly understands the power of this industry. Otherwise, people don’t recognise your talent.”
Asked when she felt audiences began seeing her as more than just a television personality, the Bigg Boss 13 star credited the love she received for Ikk Kudi (2025).
"I think Ikk Kudi did very good business in Punjab. My fans are pan-India now. People loved the film, and I feel very proud that they started recognising me as an actor and not just a television face," she said.
The Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan actor believes she has been fortunate that every project she has taken up has resonated with audiences.
"Whatever I do, my stars have been kind to me. I'm only talking about what I've seen till now. I don't know what the future holds. But whatever I do somehow becomes a highlight. If I do a TV show or a film, people appreciate it. I just hope the same luck and blessings stay with me in the future," she added.
Despite enjoying a loyal fan following, Gill insists she doesn't allow expectations to become a burden.
"I'm a very different kind of person. I don't take pressure. If I start taking pressure, I'll drive people crazy. I just can't function like that. I believe in moving on. Once I've done a project and finished its promotions, I let it go. Whether it works or not is not in my hands. What matters is that I worked hard and chose a good project. If people appreciate that hard work, that's the biggest reward," she explained.
Having said that, she also reflected on how a film's fate often depends on timing, citing Triptii Dimri and Avinash Tiwary's Laila Majnu (2018) as an example.
"Look at Laila Majnu, it worked after so many years; they had to re-release the film because many people didn't go to watch it in theatres. But later, audiences discovered it and loved it. I find that film the best. Some films are like that. It's about the right timing, and sometimes it isn't," she said.
Gill concluded the conversation by expressing hope that Ishqnama receives all the love it deserves, saying that the entire team has put in immense hard work to bring the film to life.
“I hope it's the right release date for the film. Let's see what happens. Even if people watch it later, I hope it works in theatres because everyone has put in a lot of hard work. I especially feel for the producer because they've invested so much money in making the film," she concluded.
The Punjabi film Ishqnama, which released in theatres on July 24, stars Jayy Randhawa and Shehnaaz Gill. It tells a cross-border true love story set in 1982.
Actor Shehnaaz Gill has come a long way from being a popular television personality to carving a space for herself in films. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, the actor reflected on her journey, why she believes every artist must constantly prove themselves, the recognition she has earned over the years, and the mindset that keeps her grounded despite her success.
The actor, who is currently promoting her film Ishqnama, said, “Everyone in my family is very happy now, but earlier they didn’t really understand this industry. Here, you have to prove yourself constantly. The industry, too, has to recognise what you’re capable of. You only get good films once you’ve proved yourself. Only a good artist truly understands the power of this industry. Otherwise, people don’t recognise your talent.”
Asked when she felt audiences began seeing her as more than just a television personality, the Bigg Boss 13 star credited the love she received for Ikk Kudi (2025).
"I think Ikk Kudi did very good business in Punjab. My fans are pan-India now. People loved the film, and I feel very proud that they started recognising me as an actor and not just a television face," she said.
The Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan actor believes she has been fortunate that every project she has taken up has resonated with audiences.
"Whatever I do, my stars have been kind to me. I'm only talking about what I've seen till now. I don't know what the future holds. But whatever I do somehow becomes a highlight. If I do a TV show or a film, people appreciate it. I just hope the same luck and blessings stay with me in the future," she added.
Despite enjoying a loyal fan following, Gill insists she doesn't allow expectations to become a burden.
"I'm a very different kind of person. I don't take pressure. If I start taking pressure, I'll drive people crazy. I just can't function like that. I believe in moving on. Once I've done a project and finished its promotions, I let it go. Whether it works or not is not in my hands. What matters is that I worked hard and chose a good project. If people appreciate that hard work, that's the biggest reward," she explained.
Having said that, she also reflected on how a film's fate often depends on timing, citing Triptii Dimri and Avinash Tiwary's Laila Majnu (2018) as an example.
"Look at Laila Majnu, it worked after so many years; they had to re-release the film because many people didn't go to watch it in theatres. But later, audiences discovered it and loved it. I find that film the best. Some films are like that. It's about the right timing, and sometimes it isn't," she said.
Gill concluded the conversation by expressing hope that Ishqnama receives all the love it deserves, saying that the entire team has put in immense hard work to bring the film to life.
“I hope it's the right release date for the film. Let's see what happens. Even if people watch it later, I hope it works in theatres because everyone has put in a lot of hard work. I especially feel for the producer because they've invested so much money in making the film," she concluded.
The Punjabi film Ishqnama, which released in theatres on July 24, stars Jayy Randhawa and Shehnaaz Gill. It tells a cross-border true love story set in 1982.
