Coronation Street star emotional as she's 'rejected' amid career struggle
Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati has candidly opened up about the struggles she's faced in the acting industry, admitting to feeling "rejected". The actress is famed for portraying Sunita Alahan in the ITV soap from 2001 until 2013. She's also appeared in the likes of EastEnders, Doctors and dinnerladies.
Shobna, 58, took to her Instagram Stories to give an honest insight into what it's like to be an actress, and seemed to be questioning her choice of career in a sad confession. Sharing a photo of herself, she wrote: "The face of rejection from something I didn't even know I wanted to do in the first place. Honestly why on earth did I pick this career sometimes I really don't know anyway just so you it cold out there."
Since leaving Coronation Street in 2013, Shobna has enjoyed a varied career. She joined Loose Women as a panellist from 2013 until 2013, and went on to takeover the role of Ray in the West End production of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, before reprising the role for the move adaptation.
READ MORE: ITV Emmerdale star rushed to hospital after hallucinating for four days
READ MORE: NHS will now treat 7 common illnesses without GP appointment in major overhaul
Shobna played Nina in Hullraisers and portrayed Mari Hoff in the 2022 UK Tour of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. She is due to reprise the role of Ray once again in Everybody's Talking About Jamie for the 2023-2024 tour.
Away from acting, last year the 58 year old was appointed MBE in the 2024 Birthday Honours for services to the cultural industries. She has long been a vocal supporter of Asian women's rights and anti-racism campaigns. In 2015, she was appointed as a deputy lieutenant of Greater Manchester.
Shobna's latest candid post comes after she unveiled her new hair, having opted to ditch hair dye and embrace her grey locks. She shared a glamorous selfie and revealed she feels "better" for going natural.
"Wiser? Definitely older! and very silver - growing greysfully," she jokingly penned. "So many said I should dye it back to the dark brown hair I had, 'i look old, why am I succumbing to being an old lady, it’s not attractive etc etc' but times a changing innit and I’m so happy with whats transpired and I’m so comfortable now.
"I dunno but I reckon my head feels better without the 2 weekly roots dye … and that is positive no harsh chemicals no colour protecting shampoo just like it was when I was younger … anyway I thought I’d share."
