Shilpa is in line to make 10 million pounds

LONDON: Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty is in line to rake in an astonishing 10 million pounds (nearly Rs 86.6 crore) after she emerged victorious in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' reality show which was at the centre of a row over racial taunts she suffered, a tabloid claimed on Tuesday quoting her aides.

The controversy which saw beauty therapist Jade Goody and some other fellow contestants of Shilpa branded racist bullies on the Channel 4 reality show propelled the 31-year-old Indian actress onto the world stage.

As she was hailed at the highest level by MPs applauding her extraordinary magnanimity in the House of Commons last night, her business managers were busy working tirelessly to turn that profile into profit.

Prompted by a question by Indian-origin Labour MP Keith Vaz, Broadcasting Minister Shaun Woodward said, "I am sure I can speak for all members in the House on congratulating Shilpa Shetty for an outstanding performance, enduring regardless of the circumstances that happened in Big Brother house, a pretty ghastly few weeks one way or another."

"She truly deserved to win and I am sure the whole House congratulates her on winning."

The Daily Mail on Tuesday quoted a source close to Shilpa saying that 10 million pounds was a conservative estimate of her future earnings.

"We are estimating 3 million pounds in the first year. Over the coming three to five years, that figure could very quickly rise to 10 million pounds. That sounds a lot but we are talking about a woman who is intelligent and beautiful, and already has an established career as a Bollywood actress".