Shriya Saran once took up an initiative outside her acting career by opening a spa that employed visually impaired people. The actress launched a Spa in Lokhandwala in 2011. She later spoke about the experience and explained what inspired her to create the venture.The spa offered employment to trained therapists and masseurs. Some of them were completely blind, while others had limited vision. According to Shriya Saran, the business eventually closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shriya Saran opens Shree Spa in 2011
Shriya Saran named the venture Shree Spa and established it in Lokhandwala. The actress wanted to create opportunities for visually impaired people. She also ensured that the employees received training to work as therapists and masseurs.“It was located in Lokhandwala, and I had named it Shree Spa. We had trained therapists and masseurs, some who were completely blind, and others who had around 15 per cent vision,” Shriya said in a chat with The Free Press Journal. The initiative was among the lesser-known ventures undertaken by the actress. It was also connected to an experience that had stayed with her from her school years.
Shriya Saran recalls her childhood experience
Shriya Saran studied at Delhi Public School. A school for visually impaired children was located opposite her school. She recalled spending time there and observing the students. “I spent a lot of time in the blind school which was opposite my own (DPS Mathura Road, New Delhi), where I would see the blind children playing cricket,” Shriya told The Free Press Journal. Her interactions with the students made her more aware of the challenges faced by visually impaired people. The experience later influenced her thinking about employment opportunities for them.
Shriya Saran wanted to create job opportunities
Shriya Saran and her mother, Neeraja, eventually discussed the lack of employment opportunities available to visually impaired people in India. Their conversations led to the idea of creating a workplace where they could use their abilities. The actress felt that visually impaired therapists could have an advantage in massage therapy. Their heightened sense of touch was something she believed could be particularly useful in the profession. That thought became one of the reasons behind Shree Spa. The venture allowed trained visually impaired therapists and masseurs to work with customers while building professional experience.
Shree Spa eventually closed during pandemic
Shree Spa continued to operate for several years before eventually shutting down. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the business and ultimately brought an end to the venture. Although the spa is no longer functioning, the initiative remains a notable chapter in Shriya Saran’s life away from films.
Shriya Saran’s upcoming movie ‘Drishyam: The Conclusion’
Shriya Saran is now preparing for the release of her upcoming movie ‘Drishyam: The Conclusion’. The film stars Ajay Devgn and is scheduled to arrive in theatres on October 2, 2026. The movie is the latest chapter in the popular ‘Drishyam’ franchise. Shriya Saran will reprise her role in the upcoming installment.Meanwhile, her latest release is ‘Mirai’, the fantasy action-adventure movie that arrived in 2025.