The red dupatta swirling in ‘Lal Dupatte Wali’ from Aankhen remains etched in Bollywood nostalgia. Behind that memorable act was Ritu Shivpuri, scion of acting royalty Om and Sudha Shivpuri. Born in Mumbai in 1975, she once dazzled audiences but has since pivoted to a thriving career in jewelry design.
Om Shivpuri’s filmography is a treasure trove: from the intense Dahshat and Andhiyan to crowd-pleasers like Disco Dancer and Satyamev Jayate. Sudha Shivpuri ruled TV as the iconic ‘Ba’, her stern yet endearing persona unforgettable.
Debuting in 1993’s Aankhen, Ritu’s song performance sparked Karisma Kapoor comparisons and fueled her rise. She followed with Rock Dancer, Bhai Bhai, Aar Ya Paar, and Hum Sab Chor Hain, dipping into regional cinema too. Though subsequent films didn’t replicate Aankhen’s magic, her spirit endured.
Turning to TV, she excelled in serials like Nazar, Vish, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 3, and Sunny Leone’s biopic series. A recent role in Netflix’s Class marked her digital foray, yet acting faded into the background.
Life with husband Hari Venkat brought new horizons. Embracing jewelry design, Ritu now runs a flourishing venture. Her Instagram brims with stylish outfits, gym sessions, fashion soirees, and exquisite designs, reflecting a life of poise and passion.
Ritu Shivpuri’s arc from fleeting fame to enduring enterprise highlights the power of reinvention in entertainment’s ever-shifting landscape.