Shobhita Dhulipala’s journey in the entertainment industry is nothing short of inspiring. Starting her career with Miss India competitions, she quickly made a name for herself as a model and actress across Bollywood, regional films, and even in OTT series. Recently, she also ventured into Hollywood, marking a significant milestone in her career. As she prepares to take the next step with Nagachaitanya in “Seven Steps,” Shobhita reflects on her remarkable journey.
-> She entered the film industry without a clear goal, navigating the challenges and criticisms that came her way. Recalling her early days, she mentions the emotional toll of certain incidents during auditions, which inadvertently fueled her determination and self-confidence. Born in Tenali and raised in Visakhapatnam, Shobhita grew up in a family that valued education over entertainment. While her father worked as a Navy engineer, her mother was a teacher. Instead of cable TV, their home had a library, which fostered her love for reading. The first book she read was “Budugu,” igniting her passion for literature.
-> During her intermediate studies, she often read economic news and aspired to work as the Chief Economic Advisor to the President. While her classmates discussed film stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Shobhita was more interested in discussing the likes of RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and economist Chidambaram, which made her stand out.
-> After completing her intermediate education, she moved to Mumbai for her degree and participated in the Miss India pageant. This led her to pursue modeling, despite facing criticism for not fitting the conventional beauty standards. Shobhita recalls feeling disheartened during auditions, especially when told she could only be a background model. However, with encouragement from friends who admired her voice, she persevered and attended numerous auditions.
-> In 2016, her persistence paid off when she landed a role in Anurag Kashyap’s “Raman Raghav 2.0.” Ironically, a shampoo brand that once rejected her later approached her to star alongside Aishwarya Rai and become their brand ambassador. Her filmography includes notable projects like “Goodachari,” “Kurup,” “Major,” and “Ponniyin Selvan,” which have significantly raised her profile. Recently, she acted in the Hollywood film “Monkey Man,” and her performance in “The Night Manager” has earned her recognition, as it has been nominated for the Emmy Awards from India.
-> Shobhita expresses her admiration for her sister, Samantha, who recently got married. Despite her busy career, Shobhita values family time and was thrilled to be part of her sister’s wedding, cherishing every moment spent with loved ones.
-> A spiritual person at heart, Shobhita practices morning rituals, including reading the Surya Ashtakshara. She also enjoys cooking, especially traditional dishes like avakaya, pulihora, and mudda pappu, often bringing home-cooked meals when dining out.
-> Above all, Shobhita harbors a lifelong dream of motherhood, longing for the joy of being called “Mom” and experiencing the beauty of nurturing a child. As she navigates her burgeoning career, she looks forward to embracing motherhood one day.
