Once A Rising Star, Actor’s Career Collapses After Rape Conviction; Now Lives Abroad Running Garment Business

Bollywood is one of the most unpredictable industries. While it can give you overnight success, it can also end careers. One cannot predict what they will get once they enter films, and something similar happened with an actor who was once at the top of his game. Remember Shiney Ahuja? The actor who delivered films like Gangster, Life in a Metro, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Woh Lamhe, and many more is now a forgotten name in the industry. But where is he now? What is Shiney doing? Born into an Army family, Shiney entered the industry through commercials. With over 40 ads in a year, Shiney got his calling. After appearing in a Pepsi ad, Shiney got a Sudhir Mishra film, and finally in 2005, he made his debut with Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. Everything was going well, and Shiney was having the time of his life with a string of successful films including Gangster (2006), Woh Lamhe (2006), Life in a… Metro (2007), and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007). Critics and audiences were loving his performances. Shiney, who was at the top of his game, then faced a debacle that led to a downfall that could never be undone. In 2009, Shiney faced a rape allegation when his 19-year-old maid accused him of raping her, sending shockwaves through the industry. The scandal left Shiney’s Bollywood career shattered, and there was no going back from there. After the allegation, Shiney was booked under Section 376 (rape) and Section 506 (threat to kill) of the Indian Penal Code. At that time, he was sent to Arthur Road Jail for trial, and after months, he was granted bail. Later, during the trial, Shiney’s maid retracted her statement and revealed that she was never raped, but the judge noticed foul play and believed she had turned hostile and made the false statement under pressure. In 2011, Shiney was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison, though he continued to maintain his innocence and appealed the verdict. Shiney later filed an appeal in the High Court and was granted interim bail. This round of being in and out of jail and court led to Shiney’s Bollywood career dying down. In 2015, Shiney tried to make a comeback and starred in Welcome Back, but the damage was already done and his film career had already sunk due to controversies. Years on, Shiney Ahuja has stepped away from the limelight and built a quiet life for himself. According to reports, he is now based in the Philippines, where he runs a garment business — a far cry from his once-promising Bollywood career. His journey continues to stand out as one of the most dramatic highs and lows in Hindi cinema.