Namrata Shirodkar, the former actress who is married to Telugu superstar, Mahesh Babu is currently getting a lot of attention as there are reports that her sister Shilpa Shirodkar is going to take part in the Bigg Boss 18.
However, before becoming widely known as the wife of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, Namrata Shirodkar was romantically involved with restaurateur Deepak Shetty. The couple dated for nearly nine years and were said to be living together at one point. During the early stages of her career, a fan once asked her in a Rediff AMA if she would marry Deepak, to which Namrata responded, “Surely, soon I will marry Deepak, we are just waiting for the right time.” However, the relationship ended, and tragedy struck in 2008 when Deepak drowned in Goa while trying to save a boy’s life. That same year, Namrata also faced the loss of her mother, Kunda, to cancer.
Reflecting on her past, Namrata admitted that her relationship with Deepak once overshadowed her professional ambitions. In an interview with The Times of India, she shared, “There was just one time when I let my personal life overwhelm my professional one, and that cost me dearly.” Despite the challenges, she moved on after the relationship ended and wished each other well. Namrata emphasized that the relationship had impacted her career trajectory, stating, “Aishwarya [Rai Bachchan] and I started our careers together. But she stayed on track, while I was diverted by this personal relationship, and it made me less ambitious. But I’m not bitter about anything.”
Namrata credited her sister, Shilpa Shirodkar, for helping her regain focus during tough times. Shilpa, who entered the film industry at a young age, advised Namrata to accept the evolving nature of life and the importance of staying professional. “She told me to accept that dreams change, people change, but work is constantly fulfilling,” Namrata shared, adding that this mindset helped her move forward in her career.
Did you know about Namrata and Deepak earlier?
