Himani Bhatt Shivpuri, better known as Himani Shivpuri is among the most celebrated supporting actresses of her time. There was a time when it was almost impossible to imagine a film without her. Himani Shivpuri made her acting debut back in 1984 with the film, Ab Ayega Mazaa at the age of 24. After creating a name for herself in the film industry, she also ventured into the small screen and received a lot of love for her work in the television industry. She made her television debut in 1996 with the show, Hum Aapke Hain Woh.
If we talk about some of the most memorable films of Himani Shivpuri's career. It includes the likes of Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Raja, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hero No. 1, Deewana Mastana, Bandhan, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, Biwi No. 1, Dilwale, Khamoshi: The Musical, Pardes, Koyla, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain, Umrao Jaan, Binny and Family, Do Knot Disturb, and many more.
Some of the famous television shows in which Himani Shivpuri featured include Humarahi, Sanjog Se Bani Sangini, Sasural Simar Ka, Ghar Ek Sapna, Sumit Sambhal Lega, Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi, Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani, and many more. However, she is best known for her work as 'Katori Amma' in the show, Happu Ki Ultan Pultan. Apart from conquering Bollywood and the television industry, Himani Shivpuri is one of the few Indian actors who has left a mark in the theatre community with her work.
Once, in an old interview with ETimes, Himani Shivpuri shockingly revealed that she was ragged during her time at the National School of Drama. Opening up about the reason behind the same, she shared that she came from an English-medium background and was quite good-looking and educated. Himani admitted that all three things were considered as a disadvantage at NSD back in those days. She admitted that back in those days, "the uglier you are, the better actor you are" was the philosophy in NSD. As a result, she faced a lot of ragging because she was completely opposite of these things. She said:
"I got selected and I remember when I came here, this seemed like a temple to me. I was ragged, I was miserable because I came from an angrezi background. I was one of the good-looking, educated actors, and that is like a disadvantage in theatre. there were times like these when we were made to feel miserable."
For most of her life, Himani Shivpuri remained in the headlines for her exceptional work in films and television shows. As a result, even some of her die-hard admirers are unaware of the tragedies that have happened in her life. The biggest heartbreak that she suffered was when her husband, Gyan Shivpuri, passed away. For the uninitiated, when Himani was shooting the climax of the big-budget film, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, she received a call about her husband's sudden death.
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In an old interview with the Free Press Journal, Himani Shivpuri opened up about her husband, Gyan Shivpuri. The actress revealed that she was shooting the climax scene of DDLJ when she received a call from a family member who informed her about her husband's untimely demise. She immediately rushed to her residence and arranged his funeral in Haridwar.
Although the reason behind Himani Shivpuri's husband, Gyan Shivpuri's death is still unknown, the actress, in the same interview, admitted that it was tough to work while taking care of her son. However, she remained determined and continued acting while taking care of her child.
In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Himani Shivpuri once shared that her little remark reportedly left Karan Johar so pissed that the producer never worked with her again. The actress revealed her conversation with Karan Johar on K3G's sets, and it went like this, "Please, next time, give me a good role. He said, 'yes Himani ji, I will'." After which, she didn't receive a single call from the producer, and when they met at an award function, KJo gave her a response that justified the entire scenario. She said:
"Karan told me, 'No no Himani ji, that role wasn't good enough for you. Aapke layak role hoga na tab bulayege aapko. Then it struck me, ki meri baat shayad lag gayi. That's where the chapter ended."
It's disheartening to learn about all these soured chapters in Himani Shivpuri's life. However, what's inspiring is that despite facing all these things, she continued working as an actor and still entertains us. She was last seen in the film, Binny and Family, which was released in 2024.
What are your thoughts on these revelations about Himani Shivpuri's life? Let us know.
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