Shilpa Shetty

Shilpa Shetty was born on June 8, 1975, to Surendra Shetty and Sunanda Shetty. Not many people are aware that Shilpa's parents were models in their time. Her mother had modelled for Forhans, Bournvita and her father for Yera glasses. So after tenth standard (grade), when Shilpa had some free time, she went up to a photographer opposite her building and asked him to take her pictures. She gave her photographs to various ad agencies and work started coming in.

At that time, Shilpa Shetty was only 15 and wanted to become a ramp model but she didn't get in because she was only 5'7" and not as skinny and tall as other models. She was heart broken when they rejected her. But Shilpa became couple of inches taller later.

Shilpa had no background in acting, but at the age of 17, she was offered the leading role in her first film Gaata Rahe Mera Dil opposite Rahul Roy. But sadly the film never got completed and was stalled. But the offer didn't stop there, the next film she was offered was Baazigar, opposite Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. Which became a super hit and Shilpa earned a Filmfare nomination for Best New Comer.

Next, Shilpa signed two films with Govinda and both flopped and things seem to get worse. But it was her one song 'Churake Dil Mera' in Main Khiladi Tu Anari opposite her ex-boyfriend Akshay Kumar, which completely gave Shilpa a new image in Bollywood. She became the hottest thing ever to happen in Bollywood and she recieved more praise for her (5'10") body than her performances. Her films flopped one after the another and at one point, she thought of quiting.

By that time, Shilpa had already worked in couple of films in Telugu and Tamil. Then she signed Pardesi Babu opposite Govinda and Raveena Tandon. The film flopped but Shilpa won the 'Best Supporting Actress' award at the Zee Gold Bollywood Award.

Again, another two films Jaanwar and Lal Baadshah flopped. By then the industry had written off Shilpa until her special appearance song 'Main Aayi Hoon U.P. Bihar Lootne' brought her back. The film Shool became a hit and Shilpa's song spreaded like a wild fire.

In 2000, Shilpa starred opposite Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty in director Dharmesh Darshan's Dhadkan. The film that redefined Shilpa Shetty. Shilpa was finally noticed for her acting abilities. Shilpa earned a IIFA (International Indian Film Awards) award in the 'Best Actress' category. The film itself became an average at the box office.

Than followed some hit films like Kushi (Tamil), Preethsod Thappa (Kannada), and Indian (Hindi).

In 2002, Shilpa Shetty had five films ready for release. Badhaai Ho Badhaai, Chor Machaaye Shor, Hathyar, Karz, and Rishtey. Sadly all the films flopped and even worst, Karz and Rishtey released on the same day. But not everything was sad in 2002. In Hathyar, Shilpa bagged more praise for her role than her co-star Sanjay Dutt. And in Rishtey, Shilpa was reported as the only good thing about the film. She recieved two nominations in the 'Best Comedian' category, one by the Screen Awards and the other by Sansui Viewers Choice Movie Awards. And Filfare nominated her in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Shilpa recieved mixed reviews in 2003 for her role in Darna Mana Hai and her film with Ravichandran Ondagona Baa (Kannada) became a hit.

Shilpa's first release in 2004 was director Punit Issar Garv, opposite her close friend Salman Khan. Shilpa only had songs in the film, but the film managed to became a hit. Then came director Revathy's Phir Milenge opposite Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan. Phir Milenge dealt with HIV/AIDS issue where Shilpa played the victim (Tamanna) of an HIV positive. Phir Milenge changed every critics image of Shilpa. She recieved great reviews for her performance. She was awarded by the Giant International Award for Phir Milenge. Indo-Pak's Young Achiever also awarded Shilpa.

In 2004, Shilpa was nominated in the 'Best Actress' category at every award ceramony, including Filmfare, IIFA, and Screen Awards to name a few. But in a film industry where the 'popular' people rules, Shilpa was ignored yet again by every single award ceramonies.

In 2005, AAHOA awarded Shilpa for her role in Phir Milenge. Shilpa appeared in director Deepak Tijori's Khamosh where she played a call-girl. Shilpa was cast opposite her sister Shamita Shetty in Fareb alongside Manoj Bajpai. Also directed by Deepak Tijori. Shilpa also appeared in the multi-starrer Dus. Directed by Anubhav Sinha. Shilpa managed to over shadow the guys in Dus with her actions, especially the high kick. Recently Shilpa's film Auto Shankar opposite Upendra released and now confirmed to be doing great at the box office.

Currently, in Mumbai, Shilpa is an AIDS activits and she's also representing for PETA India against animal cruelty.