Shilpa Shetty

Shilpa Shetty Kundra (born Ashwini Shetty; 8 June 1975) is an Indian actress, film producer, dancer, author, businesswoman and former model who predominantly appeared in Hindi-language films. Shetty made her screen debut in the thriller Baazigar (1993) which garnered her two Filmfare Awards nominations. She followed it with a leading role in the highly successful action comedy Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), in which she played a dual role.

Shetty’s career saw a resurgence as a leading lady by the turn of the millennium with the romantic drama Dhadkan (2000), marking a turning point in her career. This was followed by roles in the box office hits Indian (2001) and Rishtey (2002), which brought her praise and another Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Shetty received critical acclaim for playing a career woman suffering from AIDS in the drama Phir Milenge (2004), which garnered her several nominations including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She subsequently appeared in successful films such as the action thriller Dus (2005), the drama Life in a… Metro (2007), which garnered her critical praise, and the sports drama Apne (2007). She was also noted for her dance performance in the song “Shut Up & Bounce” from the 2008 romantic comedy Dostana. Following this, she took a break from acting in films.

In 2006, she ventured into reality television by judging the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. In early 2007, Shetty joined the fifth season of the UK reality show Celebrity Big Brother. During her stay in the house, Shetty received much international media coverage and attention for the racism she faced by her fellow contestants and for ultimately winning the show. This was followed by her hosting the second season of the reality show Bigg Boss. Shetty has since taken on the role of judge on several Indian dance reality shows such as Zara Nachke Dikha (2010), Nach Baliye (2012–20) and Super Dancer (2016–present).

In addition to acting in films, Shetty is a celebrity endorser for brands and products and is vocal about issues such as feminism and animal rights.^{[7][8][9][10]} Shetty has worked with PETA since 2006 as part of an advertising campaign against the use of wild animals in circuses. She is also a fitness enthusiast and she launched her own Yoga DVD in 2015. She is involved in several fitness campaigns such as the Fit India Movement, launched by the Government of India. Shetty was awarded the Champions of Change Award for her work on the Swachh Bharat Mission cleanliness campaign. From 2009 to 2015, she was a part-owner of the Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals.

Early life

Shetty was born in Mumbai, Maharastra in a Tulu speaking Bunt family.  Her mother Sunanda and late father Surendra Shetty were both manufacturers of tamper-proof water caps in the pharmaceutical industry.  She is Shamita Shetty’s elder sister.

Shetty was educated at St. Anthony’s Girls High School, Chembur and at Podar College in Matunga.  A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, she was the captain of the volleyball team at her school.

In 1991, after completing her tenth-grade examinations, Shetty began her career as a model with a Limca television commercial and subsequently featured in several other commercials and advertisements, following which she began receiving offers for film roles. Shetty continued to pursue her career as a model until she became an actress.

Personal life

Shetty with husband Raj Kundra in 2020

Having worked with Akshay Kumar in Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Shetty began dating him on the set of Insaaf (1997), the latter having just broken up with actress Raveena Tandon.  Shetty spoke openly about her relationship with Kumar. The Indian media speculated that she had gotten engaged, and reported that Kumar wanted Shetty to quit films and settle down. Shetty had stated, however, that she had no plans to marry. The couple broke up in 2000 whilst filming Dhadkan.

In February 2009, Shetty got engaged to Raj Kundra, with whom she was co-owner of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team Rajasthan Royals. The two married on 22 November 2009.  Shetty gave birth to a son on 21 May 2012. The couple had a second child, a girl, on 15 February 2020 via surrogacy.

Major awards

Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards

The Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards are presented by the Apsara Producers Guild to honour and recognise the excellence of their peers to recognize excellence in film and television.

Bollywood Movie Awards

The Bollywood Movie Awards was an annual film award ceremony held in Long Island, New York, United States between 1999 and 2007 celebrating films and actors from the Bollywood film industry. Shetty won 1 award out of 4 nominations. She was the first-ever winner of the Bollywood Movie Award – Best Supporting Actress and received a nomination for the Bollywood Movie Award – Best Actress.

Filmfare Awards

The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honor both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. Shetty received four nominations, one in the Lux New Face of the Year category, two in the Best Supporting Actress category and one in the Best Actress category.

Filmfare Awards South

Filmfare Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by the Filmfare magazine of The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Telugu cinema, Tamil cinema, Kannada cinema and Malayalam cinema.

IIFA Awards

The International Indian Film Academy Awards are presented annually by the International Indian Film Academy to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in Bollywood, the Hindi language film industry. Shetty has been nominated twice for the Best Actress Award.

Indian Television Academy Awards

Star Screen Awards

The Star Screen Awards is the only award ceremony in India to be involved with the Executive Director and the Governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. They are presented annually to honor professional excellence in the Hindi language film industry of India. Shetty has received two nominations, one in the Best Actress category and one in the Best Comedian category.

Zee Cine Awards

The Zee Cine Awards is an award ceremony for the Hindi film industry, now held abroad each year. Shetty has received a nomination in the Best Actor – Female category and won the Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female award once.