From Bollywood star to jail and now rumoured Philippine garment shop owner: Shiney Ahuja's story

What really happened to Bollywood star Shiney Ahuja?

Well, if rumours are to be believed, he's in the Philippines.

And how did he get there?

It's a strange story.

Once hailed as one of Hindi cinema’s brightest young talents, Shiney Ahuja worked alongside some of the industry’s biggest names, including Akshay Kumar, Shilpa Shetty, and Bipasha Basu. He was the kind of actor who could command attention with just a glance, and critics lauded his nuanced performances in films like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005), which introduced him as a serious performer capable of holding his own amidst complex narratives.

Born in Delhi to an Army family, Ahuja finished his school in the capital, he stepped into the advertising world, where his boyish charm and confident screen presence quickly made him a favourite. Over a short span, he appeared in more than 40 commercials and even featured in a popular Stereo Nation music video. A Pepsi ad in particular turned heads and caught the attention of filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, who cast him in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, a move that would catapult him into Bollywood’s critical spotlight.

The years that followed seemed to confirm that Ahuja was destined for stardom. Films like Gangster (2006), Woh Lamhe (2006), Life in a… Metro (2007), and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) cemented his reputation as a versatile and talented actor. Audiences and critics alike praised him for his intensity, screen presence, and ability to handle both romantic and dark roles with equal skill.

But at the height of his rising career, a shock spread through the industry. In 2009, Ahuja was accused of raping his 19-year-old domestic worker, an allegation that shocked the film industry and the nation. Arrested and tried, he was convicted in 2011 and sentenced to seven years in prison, though he pleaded his innocence throughout and appealed the verdict. Despite a brief attempt to return with Welcome Back (2015), the film industry had moved on, leaving Ahuja's Bollywood career in permanent limbo.

In the years since, Shiney has retreated from public life. Reddit threads and scattered reports suggest he may now be living in the Philippines, running a garment business — though details remain murky and unverified. In fact, photos are being widely shared, where the actor looks unrecognisable at 52.