Remember Mani Ratnam’s Geethanjali heroine Girija Shettar? Meet actress who left Aamir Khan’s Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar shoot midway

Today, we delve into the life of Girija Shettar, a remarkable figure who made her mark in the Indian film industry following her role in the 1989 hit Geethanjali, despite being born in Britain. After building an impressive acting career, she took a different path and transformed herself as a journalist and writer. Join us as we uncover more about this versatile personality.

Who is Girija Shettar?

Girija Shettar gained widespread recognition for her performance as Geethanjali in the eponymous Telugu movie directed by Mani Ratnam and Nagarjuna. Her interpretation of a daring, free-spirited character who defied societal expectations resonated deeply with many women.

Her triumphant streak continued with the Malayalam film “Vandanam,” in which she acted alongside Mohanlal. Yet, shortly following her work on Hrudayanjali in Telugu, Shettar found herself needing to exit the movie business and return to London due to personal matters. This decision prevented her from participating in Aamir Khan’s Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, a role that was eventually taken over by Ayesha Jhulka after she departed the set prematurely. For quite some time, Shettar avoided watching Indian films, worrying they might stir painful memories of what could have been.

Although she left acting early on, Shettar pursued a different path as a journalist and authored a book of Haiku poems called “This Year, Daffodils.” After an absence of 25 years, Shettar returned to acting with the 2024 Kannada movie “Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali,” finding herself attracted to the character of Madhumita, a solitary mother, due to shared experiences and the film’s compelling narrative.

How did Girija Shettar return to acting?

In a previous conversation with PTI, Girija Shettar openly shared that her choice to resume acting through Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali wasn’t straightforward due to concerns it might tarnish the esteemed image of her legendary roles in Geethanjali and Vandanam. Nevertheless, she felt those characters remain everlasting. As for the parts she pursued, Shettar remained captivated by robust, optimistic characters brimming with depth, wit, and power.

Additionally, she held the view that contemporary female characters were not as robust and self-reliant as the strong and independent women characters she appreciated from previous eras.

Despite everything, I can’t help but keep tabs on her, as she consistently posts glimpses into her life across various social platforms. Her Instagram profile, still proudly bearing the title, “Cinema actress recognized for my role in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Geethanjali’.

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2025-04-15 14:07