Shilpa Shetty Kundra Biography
Shilpa Shetty Kundra is an Indian actress, model, television personality, entrepreneur and producer whose career has stretched across more than three decades. She entered the Hindi film industry in the early 1990s and became known through movies including Baazigar, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Jaanwar, Dhadkan, Rishtey, Phir Milenge and Life in a… Metro. She later expanded her career into television, fitness, business and film production.
Born on June 8, 1975, in Mangaluru, Karnataka, Shetty began modelling as a teenager before making her film debut in Baazigar in 1993. Over the years, she developed from a young supporting actress into one of the more recognizable personalities in Indian entertainment. Her international profile grew considerably after she won the British reality show Celebrity Big Brother 5 in 2007.
Early Life and Family
Shilpa Shetty was born to Surendra and Sunanda Shetty. Her parents were involved in the manufacturing of tamper-proof water caps used by pharmaceutical companies. She has one younger sister, actress Shamita Shetty.
Shetty grew up in Mumbai after spending her early years in Karnataka and attended St. Anthony’s Girls’ High School in Chembur. She later attended R. A. Podar College of Commerce and Economics.
Her early interests included dance and sports. She was also trained in Bharatanatyam and participated in volleyball and other school activities. Her background in performance helped prepare her for the modelling and entertainment work that followed.
Beginning of Her Modelling Career
Shetty began modelling professionally as a teenager. One of her early major assignments was a Limca television commercial in 1991.
Her modelling work introduced her to the advertising industry and eventually opened the door to Bollywood. After appearing in several advertisements, she was offered film opportunities.
She made her acting debut with Baazigar in 1993, starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. She played Seema, one of the film’s central characters. The movie was a major commercial success and earned Shetty a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Rise to Bollywood Fame
After Baazigar, Shetty appeared in several Hindi films during the 1990s. Her early credits included Aag, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Aao Pyaar Karen and Jaanwar.
Main Khiladi Tu Anari, released in 1994, became an important early commercial success for her. She continued to take on a mixture of romantic, dramatic and action-oriented roles as her career developed.
By the end of the 1990s, she had become a familiar name in mainstream Hindi cinema.
Dhadkan and Phir Milenge
Two of the most significant performances of Shetty’s career came in the early 2000s.
In Dhadkan (2000), she played Anjali, a woman caught between love, family expectations and marriage. The film became one of the better-known romantic dramas of its period and remains among her frequently remembered performances.
She later took on a more serious role in Phir Milenge (2004), in which she portrayed a woman living with HIV. The performance received critical attention and demonstrated her willingness to tackle socially sensitive subjects. The film also earned her several award nominations and recognitions.
Television Career
Shetty’s career expanded beyond cinema as she became a television personality and judge.
One of her most significant television appearances came in 2007 when she participated in the British reality programme Celebrity Big Brother. She became the winner of the fifth series, an achievement that significantly increased her international visibility.
She later became associated with Indian television programmes including Nach Baliye, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Super Dancer and India’s Got Talent.
Her television work helped establish a second phase of her career in which she became known not only as an actress but also as a judge, host and entertainment personality.
Fitness and Yoga
Fitness has been a major part of Shetty’s public identity for many years. She has promoted yoga, exercise and healthy living through television appearances, books, social media and commercial ventures.
Her interest in yoga eventually developed into a broader business and digital fitness presence. She has released fitness content and participated in wellness-related projects, making fitness a major component of her brand alongside acting.
In a 2026 interview, Shetty discussed the role of discipline and her approach to balancing work, family and public attention.
Marriage to Raj Kundra
Shilpa Shetty married businessman Raj Kundra on November 22, 2009. The couple have two children, son Viaan and daughter Samisha.
The couple have also been involved in business ventures together. In 2009, they became part owners of the Rajasthan Royals cricket franchise in the Indian Premier League.
Their personal and business lives have frequently attracted media attention, although Shetty has continued to maintain a substantial independent career in entertainment and entrepreneurship.
Business Career
Shetty has developed interests in several business sectors outside acting. One of the ventures associated with her and Raj Kundra is Bastian Hospitality, a restaurant and hospitality business.
In July 2026, reports said Bastian Hospitality was exploring new investment to support expansion in India and international markets. The company has also discussed expanding beyond its existing restaurant operations into additional hospitality formats.
In June 2026, Shetty also invested in children’s lifestyle brand Rosada, with the investment intended to support the company’s expansion, product development and talent acquisition.
These ventures have added another dimension to her career as she has increasingly combined entertainment with entrepreneurship.
Film Production and Recent Movies
Shetty has also worked as a film producer. Her production credits include Dishkiyaaoon and UT69, among other projects associated with her production activities.
Her acting career has continued alongside her business interests. Recent screen work includes Sukhee, released in 2023, and the 2024 action series Indian Police Force, in which she appeared alongside Sidharth Malhotra and Vivek Oberoi.
She also appeared in the Kannada film KD: The Devil, released in 2026, according to current film listings.
Shilpa Shetty in 2026
In 2026, Shetty has remained active across entertainment, business and public appearances.
In May, she spoke about her long career, parenting and the expectations surrounding age and women working in entertainment. She emphasized the importance of continuing to work while managing family responsibilities.
She also continued her business activities, including her involvement with Bastian Hospitality and her investment in Rosada.
In September 2026, Shetty and Raj Kundra resumed their annual Ganesh Utsav celebrations after she had skipped the previous year’s festivities following a bereavement in the family. She shared photographs and videos from the celebrations, including the traditional immersion ceremony.
Legal and Business Controversies
Shetty and her husband have also faced legal and business-related scrutiny in recent years. In 2026, reports said Mumbai authorities issued a lookout circular in connection with an alleged ₹60 crore cheating case involving the couple and a businessman. The allegations remain allegations, and Shetty and Kundra have challenged the proceedings in court.
Because the matter remains part of legal proceedings, allegations should not be presented as established wrongdoing unless a court determines otherwise.
Shilpa Shetty’s Career Legacy
Shilpa Shetty’s career has developed across several areas of Indian entertainment. She began as a model, entered Bollywood in the 1990s, gained international recognition through Celebrity Big Brother, and later established herself as a television personality, fitness advocate, entrepreneur and producer.
Her film career includes both mainstream commercial productions and socially focused performances such as Phir Milenge. Her television work and business ventures have allowed her to remain visible even as her film appearances have become more selective.
More than three decades after her debut, Shetty continues to work across entertainment, wellness and business. Her 2026 activities show a career that now extends well beyond acting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shilpa Shetty Kundra
1. Who is Shilpa Shetty Kundra?
Shilpa Shetty Kundra is an Indian actress, model, television personality, entrepreneur and producer. She made her Bollywood debut in Baazigar in 1993 and is known for films including Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Jaanwar, Dhadkan, Phir Milenge and Life in a… Metro.
2. How old is Shilpa Shetty?
Shilpa Shetty was born on June 8, 1975, in Mangaluru, Karnataka. She is 51 years old as of September 2026.
3. Who is Shilpa Shetty’s husband?
Shilpa Shetty is married to businessman Raj Kundra. They married in November 2009 and have two children, Viaan and Samisha.
4. What are Shilpa Shetty’s most famous movies?
Some of Shilpa Shetty’s best-known films include Baazigar, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Jaanwar, Dhadkan, Rishtey, Phir Milenge, Life in a… Metro, Sukhee and Indian Police Force. She has also appeared in South Indian productions, including the 2026 Kannada film KD: The Devil.
5. What is Shilpa Shetty doing in 2026?
In 2026, Shilpa Shetty has continued working in entertainment while pursuing business ventures. Her activities include acting projects, her involvement with Bastian Hospitality and investment in children’s lifestyle brand Rosada. She also remained active in public appearances and family celebrations, including Ganesh Utsav in September 2026.
