Mumbai, July 23, 2025 — Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, currently serving as a judge on Super Dancer Chapter 5, has opened up about the women who have profoundly shaped her personal and professional journey. In a heartfelt tribute aired during the show’s latest episode, Shetty named Helen, Rekha, and Madhuri Dixit as her enduring icons, praising their artistry and influence on her own evolution as a performer.
“There have always been three women in my life who have inspired me — Helen Ji, Rekha Ji, and Madhuri Dixit Ji,” Shetty said. She admired Helen’s ability to make bold costumes and choreography appear graceful and dignified, noting, “No matter what she wore or did, it never looked inappropriate.” On Rekha, she highlighted the veteran actress’s expressive power: “Rekha Ji could speak volumes just with her eyes — her lip-sync and expressions were phenomenal.” As for Madhuri Dixit, Shetty credited her with shaping her dance style: “I actually learned to dance by watching her videos. Every performance of hers had a touch of class.”
Beyond cinematic influences, Shetty also paid tribute to her mother Sunanda Shetty, calling her the “real star” behind her success. “When I was 17, I was very naïve and didn’t know much. My mother traveled with me and supported me for nearly 10 years. She was my mom-manager, my advisor, and my biggest critic. Whatever I am today is because of her,” she said.
The actress also praised Super Dancer Chapter 5 for spotlighting the journeys of contestants’ mothers, a theme she deeply resonates with as a parent herself. “We often applaud the kids, but their mothers deserve an equal share of that applause. On behalf of all the kids, I want to thank every mother out there—kyunki maa hi hoti hain bacchon ki safalta ke peeche ka asli sitara,” Shetty concluded.
