"There was a phase, even after 'Chak De India', when professional frustrations like films getting shelved or delayed would take a toll on me. I had signed on many big films with big production houses but due to recession and 26/11 attacks, those projects couldn't take off," Shilpa told PTI.
"I was frustrated. But I still kept hopes, thinking I would get good offers," she added.
Shukla said she wanted to play Boxing champion Mary Kom on silver screen but it couldn't happen and a film titled 'Junction' with Abhay Deol also could not see the light of the day.
"Though I was devastated but I never left the ray of hope, kept trying. I kept saying to myself all this will get over soon. I think the industry needs to be little more compassionate and giving," she said.
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Now Shilpa is looking forward to her forthcoming project 'B.A Pass' where she plays a seductress. The film talks about male prostitution and Shilpa will be seen as Sarika Aunty in the movie.
She has previously played a Pakistani school girl in 'Khamosh Pani', a hockey player in 'Chak De India', and a pickpocket in 'Bhindi Baazaar Inc'.
Debutant director Ajay Bahl's screenplay is based on Mohan Sikka's steamy short story 'Railway Aunty' from the 2009 anthology Delhi Noir.
An erotic human drama, 'B.A Pass' will unfold the story of a small town boy who comes to Delhi to finish his college, but soon, is seduced by a mysterious married woman.
"The film represents a lot of people. It shows the pressure that the youth has to go through to earn quick money and while doing that they don't know what is right and wrong," she said.