Shalini Passi competed as an Innocent finalist in the second season of the reality show The Traitors India, hosted by Karan Johar. In an exclusive chat with Mid-Day, she opened up about her bonds with Mallika Sherawat and Shweta Tiwari, her discomfort around Dalip Tahil, Parul’s shadow controversy, and how she deals with public perception and negativity.
Shalini Passi on not winning The Traitors 2
Shalini Passi reached the finale of The Traitors 2 but was ultimately betrayed by Krystle D’Souza and Rida Tharana, who won the show. Despite not emerging as the winner, Shalini believes she has won in her own way, saying that her clean conscience and reaching the end game matter more to her than the title.
Shalini on bond with Mallika, Shweta
Shalini opened up about her bond with Mallika Sherawat and Shweta Tiwari on The Traitors 2. She said the three of them came together unintentionally despite being very different. Admitting that she was in awe of both actors, Shalini said, “I was like their adopted kid because I was in awe of them. They have done extremely well in their fields.” She added, “What they said is absolutely right, I am quite boring. I am not spicy and entertaining like they are, so I don’t blame them.”
Asked if she had clarified the fake Dolce outfit controversy with Mallika Sherawat, Shalini Passi said, “There was nothing to speak, there was nothing to clarify. We have been meeting, so it’s great.”
Shalini on Dalip Tahil
She also opened up about feeling uncomfortable around Dalip Tahil during her time on the show, revealing that she preferred sitting with the women. “I am not very comfortable. I’m more comfortable with women. And I’ve always been, and I thoroughly enjoy their company,” she said. She recalled asking Dalip for the shield for Shweta and Abhishek, but walked away when he suggested discussing it over dinner. “I’m not going to discuss anything with anybody over dinner. And I just went my way,” she added.
Shalini Passi on Parul Gulati’s shadow controversy
Shalini Passi opened up about the controversy surrounding Parul’s alleged “shadow” on The Traitors 2. She admitted that she, too, had some suspicion about Parul, but felt bad seeing everyone accuse her. She said, “The environment that the players are kept in is very strict. You can’t speak to anybody; the shadows are not supposed to have eye contact with us. I sort of felt bad that everybody was accusing her, though I also had a little bit of suspicion about her. I just felt that Parul is a very opinionated woman. She played the game with honesty.”
Shalini Passi on curiosity about her personality
After Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, Shalini has found herself under greater public scrutiny, with many curious about her personality beyond what they see on screen. Addressing the judgments and perceptions around her, Shalini said, “I’m leading my life. And when I meet somebody, I meet them nicely. I just find it very strange that people are interested in me.” She added, “I’m also grateful for the love because they love me without even knowing who I am actually inside.”
Shalini Passi on letting go of negativity
Shalini also spoke about learning to embrace positivity and not hold on to negative emotions. Looking back, she recalled being bullied in school and how those experiences shaped her perspective. “When I was very young, we all get bullied in school. It happens to everybody,” she said. Recalling how classmates would comment on her curly hair and the ankle-length skirts she wore because of her strict parents, Shalini said she was also considered “a little goofy” during her school years.