‘Should Respect The Law’: Shubhangi Atre REACTS To Shilpa Shinde’s FAKE Sexual Harassment Case On Producer

Actress Shubhangi Atre believes that people in the public eye must be mindful of the influence they have and should never misuse the law. Reacting to the recent debate surrounding actress Shilpa Shinde, Shubhangi chose not to comment on the controversy directly but stressed that celebrities carry a responsibility towards society because their words and actions are closely followed by the public.

In a conversation with The Free Press Journal, the Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain actress said, “I would stay away from commenting on this. But yes, at the same time, I want to say that as responsible citizens, we should respect the law. We should definitely respect the law because I have been working in this industry for the last 20 years. People look up to us. Brands approach us, we endorse products, and we attend events. People listen to what we say. That’s why, whenever awareness campaigns are launched, even the government reaches out to us. For example, when our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, many of us received letters requesting us to contribute to the campaign. Why? Because people listen to us and look up to us.”

I would stay away from commenting on this. But yes, at the same time, I want to say that as responsible citizens, we should respect the law. We should definitely respect the law because I have been working in this industry for the last 20 years. People look up to us. Brands approach us, we endorse products, and we attend events. People listen to what we say. That’s why, whenever awareness campaigns are launched, even the government reaches out to us. For example, when our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, many of us received letters requesting us to contribute to the campaign. Why? Because people listen to us and look up to us.

- Shubhangi Atre

Explaining why she feels actors must be careful about the message they send, Shubhangi added, “We have a responsibility because whatever we say or do carries credibility. So I just want to say that we should respect the law. That’s it. No personal comments, definitely. You can understand that. But as responsible citizens, yes, we should respect the law and we should not misuse it.”

We have a responsibility because whatever we say or do carries credibility. So I just want to say that we should respect the law. That’s it. No personal comments, definitely. You can understand that. But as responsible citizens, yes, we should respect the law and we should not misuse it

- Shubhangi Atre

Shubhangi’s statement comes after Shilpa Shinde found herself facing intense criticism over a recent confession linked to her exit from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain. During a podcast with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa, Shilpa revealed that the sexual harassment complaint she had filed against producer Sanjay Kohli nearly a decade ago was false. According to the actress, she made the allegation during her legal and contractual dispute with the makers after leaving the show.

The admission quickly sparked backlash across the entertainment industry, with several voices arguing that false complaints can weaken public trust in genuine survivors of sexual harassment and make it harder for real victims to come forward. While Shubhangi refrained from discussing Shilpa’s actions specifically, she reiterated that respecting the law is a responsibility every citizen, especially public figures, should uphold.

Although she avoided taking a personal stand on Shilpa or revisiting the old dispute, Shubhangi made it clear that her focus is on the larger message. She maintained that public figures should use their influence responsibly, uphold the law, and remember that their statements can leave a lasting impact on society and on people who look up to them.