The musical tells the story of a Bollywood actress who gives the world a glimpse of India through songs and dances - so not actually a million miles away from the Celebrity Big Brother winner’s life.

And Shilpa revealed she was excited about starting rehearsals for the musical, titled Miss Bollywood.

The show may also move on to other destinations, she added, as well as Germany where 60 performances are planned.

The star, who has been awarded a doctorate of arts by Leeds Metropolitan University, has previously said she hopes the musical will gives Westerners a glimpse into Indian tradition.

"I want foreigners to get familiar with Indian culture. Racism breeds out of ignorance," she explained.


Doctorate for Shilpa - July 19 2007
Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty was praised for her "dignity and poise" as she received an honorary degree.

The Celebrity Big Brother winner was awarded a doctorate of arts by Leeds Metropolitan University.

She was praised for the way in which she handled the Celebrity Big Brother racism row earlier this year.

Wearing an orange outfit, deep red robes, a blue and orange hood, black cap and gold strappy sandals, Shilpa took her place on the stage with academics from the university.

Addressing the graduands, Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Lee described the Bollywood beauty as distinguished and inspirational and made reference to her time in the Celebrity Big Brother house when viewers complained about the way she was treated by Jade Goody, singer Jo O’Meara and model Danielle Lloyd.

Prof Lee said: "There are some parallels between the challenges faced in any house and student life.

"Someone at some time will behave badly, not necessarily to you but to others or the wider community, to someone or some group who cannot defend themselves.

"In Shilpa Shetty you are graduating with someone who rose to that challenge with great dignity and poise, making a difference."

The actress was clearly emotional as she accepted the degree.

She said: "I am so overwhelmed, I am choked with emotions and I can’t stop smiling.

"I have won some awards, at the cost of sounding immodest, I have never seen my mother beam so much as she is today. I can see the pride in her eyes because she’s always wanted me to graduate."


Shilpa ’to star in London Bollywood show’ - June 27 2007
Shilpa Shetty is to star in a London musical, a newspaper reported today.

The Bollywood actress and Celebrity Big Brother winner will appear in the musical Miss Bollywood to open in London in September and later travel to Broadway, The Indian Express newspaper said.

"The whole song-and-dance routine of a musical really fascinates me and I think I’m a natural in the art," it quoted Shilpa as saying.

She said the musical was about a day in the life of a Bollywood actress and would give Westerners a glimpse of Indian traditions and customs.

"I want foreigners to get familiar with Indian culture. Racism breeds out of ignorance," Shilpa was quoted as saying.

A famous actress in India, Shilpa became internationally known after winning reality show Celebrity Big Brother and the racism controversy involving fellow contestant Jade Goody.

The Bollywood beauty has acted in more than 40 movies since her 1993 debut. Her latest movie, Metro, is a Hindi-language film about careers pushing love to second place.


Shilpa gets Global Impact award - June 11 2007
Shilpa Shetty has spoken out about the need to fight racism after accepting a special award for Global Impact at the Bollywood Oscars.