Shalini Passi’s adding more feathers to her already multifarious hat

Shalini Passi is quite the television pro by now. After almost stealing her co-participants’ thunder in the third season of Netflix’s immensely popular Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives (2024), this glamorous art entrepreneur and luxury aficionado recently had quite a thrilling run in the second season of India’s own The Traitors, presented by Karan Johar and shot at Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

You would think that it took Shalini a moment to grasp this transition from the world of art to television. Not really, says the tastemaker. Considering that art has always been a part of who she is, television simply became a window for people to witness a more intimate side of her multifaceted persona. In this candid tête-à-tête with HELLO! the connoisseur opens up about her television stints, her love for art and the exciting road ahead.

HELLO! India: How did you decide to be part of The Traitors? What about the show did you find relatable?

Shalini Passi: When Amazon approached me for the project, I was a little hesitant. But after a few favourable meetings with them and Dharmatic, we decided to take it up. I think The Traitors is an intelligent show, about deception, strategy, psychology, and human behaviour. What attracted me was the game itself. In that palace, you really don't know whom to trust. You have to observe people, understand their personality traits, and sometimes question your own instincts. I found that fascinating.  

HELLO! India: This is your second reality show after Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives. What is that one aspect of reality shows you thoroughly enjoy? Is there anything that puts you off?

Shalini Passi: You know something, before I shot for the Netflix show, I actually had a phobia of the camera. But I worked on that. Now, I enjoy what I do, and television is a different world I find exciting.
Coming to reality shows, you get to share your personality with the audience. Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives gave me huge popularity as well as awards. We were not actors playing different roles in movies. People got to see different sides of you and got to know you better. That said, the unnecessary drama can be off-putting at times. In day-to-day life, people don't generally function that way, so at times I feel it get a little performative.

HELLO! India: You have been a proponent of art since a really long time. Describe how fulfilling the association has been?

Shalini Passi: Art has been one of the most fulfilling journeys of my life. I'm an artist, and that's how I started collecting art and design. For me, it’s a way of life – I don't collect to be included in a club or on a list of top collectors. I genuinely admire art as it connects with my soul. For me, it is about ideas, conversations, artists, and creating a space where people can experience something that changes the way they think.

HELLO! India: What are the interests you nurture?

Shalini Passi: My life is never restricted to one thing. There is art, philanthropy, fashion, design, my family, my book, television, and various creative projects. My association with UNICEF is extremely meaningful to me. I have been involved in supporting initiatives focused on children and their development, and I believe art and creativity can play an important role in their lives. My association with Netflix has also been an important part of my journey in entertainment.

HELLO! India: What keeps inspiring you? Do you derive notes of wisdom from the books you read?

Shalini Passi: I am thoroughly inspired by people who are curious, fearless, and constantly evolving. Artists inspire me enormously because they see the world differently. Yes, I do read different kinds of books — on art and philosophy, biographies, literature, and psychology. I recently read The Autobiography of a Yogi and The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak. I enjoy books that make me ponder about life, and broaden my perspectives.

HELLO! India: You have been frequently toasted for your sartorial choices. Describe your personal sense of style – maximal or quietly restrained. Which Indian and international designers' work do you really enjoy?

Shalini Passi:I would call by style instinctive since I don’t dress as per rules. I like clothes that have a point of view, whether they are dramatic, sculptural, playful, or minimal. I root for Indian designers for the craftsmanship they bring to fashion, but I also enjoy international designers. I would definitely say I lean towards maximal dressing, but I dress according to my mood. Sometimes I want the drama, and sometimes a more restrained look turns out to be super powerful.

I particularly like Manish Malhotra, Suneet Verma, Monisha Jaisingh, and Vaishali S’s aesthetics, and internationally, Dolce & Gabbana and Emilio Pucci are my go-to labels. In fact, I admire Madonna for her individuality and ability to reinvent herself, while Maharani Gayatri Devi had such timeless elegance. My mother and aunts have also influenced my understanding of fashion and personal style.

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HELLO! India: What have you imbibed from your parents in terms of work ethics and fashion sense?

Shalini Passi: My parents taught me discipline, perseverance, and the importance of doing things perfectly. They believed that if you commit yourself to something, you have to give it your absolute best. I think my relationship with fashion and aesthetics also comes from growing up around people who appreciated beauty, presentation, and individuality.

HELLO! India: What is your take on Indian crafts and weaves having a global moment?

Shalini Passi: The world is beginning to understand the extraordinary history, skill and craftsmanship behind our textiles. But recognition has to go beyond fashion weeks and occasional collaborations. We need to support artisans, preserve traditional techniques, create contemporary applications, and make Indian craftsmanship more relevant to younger generations. We shouldn't just preserve our crafts; we should allow them to evolve.

HELLO! India: Which other city, other than Delhi, connects with you the most?

Shalini Passi: My childhood in Delhi shaped a great deal of who I am today. I was curious and observant, and I think those qualities eventually became the foundation of my relationship with art and culture. This place has a very special energy – it has history, architecture, culture, and a strong sense of rootedness. If I weren't in Delhi, I would probably choose between Varanasi and Venice; both places have incredible historical and cultural importance and a very distinct identity.

HELLO! India: An entrepreneur, art aficionado, family woman, actor — which role do you connect with the most?

Shalini Passi: I don't think I can separate myself into different roles. I am a sum of everything that I am — my experiences, my art, my passions, my work, and the different tasks I have taken on. Everything comes together to make me who I am. Most importantly, I am a woman.

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