Shilpa Shetty ,born 8 June 1975 in Tamil Nadu, India, is a four-time Filmfare Award-nominated Indian film actress and Supermodel. Since making her debut in the film Baazigar (1993), she has appeared in nearly 50 films, her first leading role being in 1994 in Aag. She resides at the centre of the Hindi-language film industry in Mumbai, India. Her younger sister Shamita Shetty is also a Bollywood film actress.
Shilpa was crowned the winner of the British Celebrity Big Brother on 28 January 2007 with 63% of the final vote, after an international racism controversy involving her and fellow contestants Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd.
Biography
Shilpa Shetty was born in a strict and traditional close-knit family that hails from the Bunt community of Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka although she was born in Tamil Nadu. She is the eldest daughter of Surendra and Sunanda Shetty, manufacturers of tamper-proof caps for the pharmaceutical industry, and her native language is Tulu although she can speak nearly ten other languages at differing levels including English, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu and basic French. One of her nicknames is "Silly Pooh".
She attended St. Anthony Girls' High School, located in Chembur, and later attended Podar College. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. She is also into sports and was the captain of the baseball team in school and earned a black belt in Karate and currently a dancesport expert and enthusiast.
Shetty currently lives in Mumbai with her parents and sister. Her younger sister Shamita Shetty is a budding Bollywood actress and they worked together in the film Fareb .
Career
Film career
Shetty started her career by modelling for Limca in 1991 at age 16,and made her film debut in 1993 with Baazigar, portraying a woman murdered by her psychopathic boyfriend. Although she was a supporting actress alongside Shahrukh Khan and Kajol, the film was a major success and earned her a nomination for Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.
Her first leading role was in the film Aag in 1994, which was averagely received at the box office. She had a hit that same year with the film Main Khiladi Tu Anari opposite Akshay Kumar. This was followed by many films which were average to poor performers at the box office. Shetty starred another big film that year Aao Pyar Karen followed by Hathkadi in 1995 where she was working alongside actors such as Saif Ali Khan, Govinda and Madhoo but they failed at the box office. 1997 was one of her busiest years, she appeared in six different films, beginning with the small Telugu language film Veedeva Dani Babu. Her first major Bollywood film of that year was the action thriller Auzaar. Shilpa portrayed the character of Prathna Thakur alongside actors Salman Khan and Sanjay Kapoor. In 1998, she had one release, Pardesi Babu, for which she received critical acclaim and won the Bollywood Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In 2000 Shetty received much acclaim for her role in Dhadkan which earned reasonable takings at the Indian box office.She received several nominations under the Best Actress category in different award ceremonies. She would later go on to star with Anil Kapoor amd Karisma Kapoor in the film Rishtey (2002). Her comic performance as an eccentric fisherwoman was appreciated and she received a nomination under the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award category, and various nomination for Best Comedian as well.
2004 was also a good year for Shetty with the release of Garv in which she portrayed a Muslim orphan and disillusioned table dancer starring opposite Salman Khan. Unlike the similar Chandni Bar, Garv was a cop drama that did not make the same social impact but which Shetty chose to do because she liked the subject. However, she received much acclaim for her performance in Phir Milenge which critics consider as her best performance so far, where she makes a sensitive portrayal of a successful city high-flyer who contracts HIV via unprotected sex and becomes a social outcast as a result. The film, based on 1993's Philadelphia, was perceived to have tackled a social taboo as yet unaddressed by Bollywood and earned Shetty a Filmfare Best Actress nomination, and also provided an impetus for her HIV-related charity work . The actress was also a guest judge on the Indian Idol television show.
This marked a break from the previous trend of superficial song-and-dance items in favour of "meatier roles"exemplified by her film Dus (2005), an action thriller. Although it received average returns at the box office, Shetty stated that she had taken the role in order to reinvent herself by portraying the rather unconventional character of an anti-terrorist squad member. She also starred with her sister in the film Fareb in 2005. Shilpa had one release in 2006, the much delayed Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar. The film was a box office flop but she got good reviews for her role as a wife with negative shades. In 2006, she was a judge on Jhalak Dikhlaja, a Sony Entertainment Television dance show based on the original UK show Strictly Come Dancing.
Shetty was once featured in Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai.
The year 2007 proved to be her most successful year at the box office. Her first release, Life In A... Metro dis decent business at the box office, receiving a hit status. The film was also critically acclaimed and Shetty's performance was appreciated by audiences and critics as well. Her second release, Apne was a good performer at the box office, receiving a semi-hit status.
Celebrity Big Brother 2007
Shetty was a contestant in and the winner of Celebrity Big Brother UK.and is the first Indian celebrity included in the Celebrity version. Reportedly paid Rs.31.5m (£367,500 GBP) for her participation,she said to presenter Davina McCall, "I just want every Indian to be extremely proud that I'm in here".As for her participation, she stated: "I have zero expectations. The only thing I really hope to keep is my self-respect and my dignity." Sister Shamita told the Times of India that this "is the boldest decision Shilpa has taken hitherto." The Scotsman reported that PETA backed Shetty to win the contest and urged British viewers to vote for her.
During her time, Shetty instructed fellow housemates Carole Malone and Ken Russell in meditation, flirted with Dirk Benedict but tempers started to fray by Day 7 as a clique formed in the house disapproving of Shilpa's presence.Following a worldwide controversy that publicised her as a target of racist bullying within the house, Shetty won the contest after gaining 63% of the public vote and described the experience as "incredible and overwhelming". She further thanked the public for "a fantastic opportunity to make my country proud".
Post Celebrity Big Brother
In February 2007, Shetty attended a reception at the House of Commons, by invitation of Keith Vaz MP to meet with British prime minister Tony Blair . She was also invited to meet with Queen Elizabeth II at Marlborough House in London in March 2007. During an interview on This Morning, Shetty confirmed that she had been asked to take the role of Preeti Choraria's sister in EastEnders. Shilpa said that after much thought she would be unable to take the role as it would mean all her other arrangements would have to go on hold.
She was also the subject of a Sky One documentary entitled "The Real Shilpa Shetty", which was produced by British television production company Twofour. The large number of commercial offers that Shilpa received after winning Celebrity Big Brother themselves became reason for controversy with an increasing number of accusations about her riding the 'racism' wave to commercial gain. She was on the cover of the first issue of OK! Magazine to be sold in India.
On 27 March 2007 News of the World, National Tabloid, UK had reported information about her date with Akshay Kumar back in 1999. Accordingly, someone very close to both Shilpa and Akshay has revealed private information that was kept as a secret from many people including Shilpa's parents.
Her first release after the reality show got a great opening. The movie, Life In A... Metro became the first Bollywood movie to premiere at Leicester Square. Danielle Lloyd was also invited by the actress to attend the premiere.
Famous commitments
As well as modeling and acting, Shetty has associated herself with several other commercial and non-profit organizations.
HIV-AIDS
In February 2006 Shetty lent her support to a BBC World Service Trust television show designed to tackle the problem of HIV-AIDS in India.The project, which also involved other celebrities Vivek Oberoi, Dia Mirza, and Raveena Tandon in separate episodes, featured Shetty as she shadowed a young achiever whose work involved raising awareness about the condition. "I have participated to show my solidarity to people living with HIV-Aids. I will do anything for them to feel wanted and special," she said.
The issue is particularly close to Shetty's heart as she had portrayed an HIV-positive sufferer in her 2004 movie Phir Milenge. Speaking about the movie and HIV in general, Shetty said: "Why not a film on HIV positive patients? It is a social stigma in our society. We made this film to highlight this problem ... This film will bring about a social awareness about AIDS in our country. It is high time we talked about this in our society."
PETA
In March 2006 various sources reported Shetty's joining PETA as part of an advertising campaign against the use of wild animals in circuses.According to a PETA India press release, Shetty is a long-time PETA supporter and has assisted the campaign by posing for photographs in a figure-hugging tiger costume. She explained that her crouching in a cage was uncomfortable during the photoshoot, but that her discomfort was insignificant compared to the pain suffered by the creatures. "These once dignified animals only leave their cages, which are barely larger than the size of their bodies, for a few minutes each day to be forced into the ring to perform tricks which make no sense and are upsetting to them. The best way to help animals suffering in circuses is to boycott the circus".
Shetty revealed in a later interview that she felt strongly about this cause and that she was appalled to hear of the cruel treatment suffered by such animals. "I thought I should stop that. If I can make a little difference to their lives, why not go for it?"
Romanov Vodka
In a May 2006 press conference, it was announced that Shetty would be the brand ambassador of Romanov Vodka. Sami Lala, President of United Spirits, said that Shetty was chosen for her status as an "aspirational icon", and that her "innate style, energy and attitude highlight the core attributes of the brand."
Personal life
Shetty is a frequent subject of speculation regarding romance. However, she has remained tight-lipped whenever questions of marriage are posed to her. Her previous relationships include an affair with actor Akshay Kumar, whom she met on the Main Khiladi Tu Anari set in 1994. The couple split in 2000 after he started dating Shetty's friend and fellow actress Twinkle Khanna after a previous indiscretion,and which led to Shetty's successful suing of Stardust magazine for publishing a "damaging" report about the affair.
In an interview for the Times of India, Shetty quashed rumours of a romance with director Anubhav Sinha and claimed to have changed her mobile phone number in order to concentrate on her busy schedule.But in a later interview for the Sunday Mirror a friend of Shetty revealed that she was "in love" with Sinha and that he was her "soulmate", but that she could not be with him for fear of parental disapproval, social stigma (Sinha is married with two children, although currently separated) and adverse public perception. Currently single and not dating, Shetty has stated that she plans to marry in three years and would love to adopt a teenage daughter.
Controversies
Shetty has been the subject of several controversies.
Mafia links
In May 2003 a controversy erupted over alleged links between Shetty's parents and the Indian underworld. The Surat police issued arrest warrants against her parents on charges of extortion.Police Commissioner of Surat, D.K. Gupta, told the media that the owners of Praful Sarees had lodged complaints with them after claiming to receive threatening telephone calls from Mumbai-based underworld figures asking for money on behalf of the Shettys. The dispute between the two parties related to a 1998 modelling assignment where Shilpa endorsed Praful Sarees and had only been paid Rs. 50 lakhs (over $113,000) out of a contractually-agreed agreed 3 crores ($679,000).Agarwal claimed that the full sum had been paid in advance, but he had no knowledge of how much had been paid to Shilpa.Surendra Shetty was refused bail by a Mumbai court although bail was granted to Sunanda, as she had been travelling abroad at the time the warrant was issued. The police further claimed to possess a record of a telephone call between Shilpa's parents and Pankaj Agarwal, the owner of Praful Sarees. This was denied by the parents and the tape was claimed to have been "manipulated".
Sunanda Shetty held a press conference on June 5 where she denied that the family had underworld connections and that the whole fracas was a "plot to tarnish the image of my daughter." She further said that she was "definitely innocent" of the charges and was falsely implicated by Agarwal after he had failed to fully reimburse Shilpa for her work.On June 13 it was reported that Surendra had confessed to establishing contact with associates of Fazl-ur-Rehman, leader of the Mumbai gang, after being interrogated by police. A contradictory story surfaced that, although the Shettys' driver, Dilip Pashekar, admitted to introducing Surendra with Rehman's associates, Surendra continued to deny that any links were forged. A senior police official confirmed that Surendra had "vehemently denied" his links even though he and Pashekar were interrogated side by side. Shetty's lawyer later clarified that the reports of confessing to mafia links were false.
Court hearings revealed that, despite Shetty's denials, print-outs of cellular phone records proved that contact between Shetty and the gang had taken place. On June 20 Surendra Shetty was formally arrested after surrendering to the police, later telling news reporters that the entire issue was designed to malign him and his family. When asked about the underworld's involvement, Shetty said "I don't know, I talked to them only after they called up and said they were agents of Agarwal."Further court hearings cast doubt on the veracity of the evidence tapes; Shetty's defence claimed that it was Agarwal who recorded the telephone calls rather than the police, and that the possibility of dubbing or manipulation could not be ruled out. Shilpa was quizzed by police upon her return to India after returning from overseas filming assignments, denying all knowledge of any involvement between her parents and underworld figures and claimed that she had no knowledge of the case until it became public through the media. She further stated that her mother had power of attorney over her financial affairs and disclaimed any knowledge of payment for the Praful Sarees affair. Sunanda's bail hearing had been adjourned three times during the case due to health grounds.
Another strange twist occurred when the Shettys' driver, Dilip Pashekhar, was arrested. On Nov 5 it was reported that Surendra and Sunanda Shetty, among three others, were chargesheeted and which paved the way for a trial commencement in a local court. The trial is still pending. In August 2006 Sunanda said that Shilpa had no involvement with the case and that the arrest of Fazl-ur-Rehman earlier that month would not have a negative effect on Shilpa's career. Shilpa has threatened to claim damages after an unnamed local tabloid allegedly printed incorrect information about the case. In an interview for Filmfare, Shilpa said that she was very "cut up" and "devastated" with the way the case had turned into a trial by media and that they had behaved "unethically". She also said that this was the worst controversy she had ever been through, and expressed her thanks to several film figures for standing by her, including Rajkumar Santoshi and Anil Kapoor.
Obscenity charges
In April 2006, a Madurai court issued non-bailable warrants against Shetty and Reema Sen for "posing in an obscene manner" in photographs published by a Tamil newspaper.The report stated that the two actresses had failed to comply with earlier summonses for the same reason, hence the issuance of the warrants.The petitioner submitted that the paper had published "very sexy blow-ups and medium blow-ups" in its issues December 2005 and January 2006 issues, and which allegedly violated the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986, Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act 1956, and the Indian Penal Code Section 292 (Sale of Obscene Books). The petitioner further demanded that the images should be confiscated under the terms of the Press and Registration of Book Act 1867.
Shetty responded that she had not received any court summons and also discounted the charges. She further claimed that the pictures were freeze-frame shots from a recent movie that only exposed her navel. "As far as my photographs go, what is obscene about it? If navel-showing is obscenity, then our traditional Indian outfit - the traditional sari - should be banned in the first place."
In January 2007 outgoing Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal confirmed that Shetty had written to him in order to enunciate guidelines against frivolous lawsuits against artists, but refused her plea on the grounds that she should have filed a formal petition instead of writing a letter.
Richard Gere kissing incident
On April 15, 2007, Shetty was kissed several times in jest on the cheek by Richard Gere during an AIDS-awareness event.The pair had appeared at a press conference in New Delhi as part of a campaign to preach safe sex to truck drivers in India and promotion of AIDS awareness. The kiss prompted protesters, allegedly members of the right-wing Hindu nationalist group Shiv Sena, to beat burning effigies of Gere with sticks.Others set fire to glamour shots of Shetty. People demanded an apology from her and threatened to ban her movies in the state.Shiv Sena leaders denied involvement in the protests, but Shiv Sena member of parliament Sanjay Raut observed that that protests are "just a manifestation of the anger of the general public" and that there was "nothing wrong with expressing contempt at such an act"
Similar protests broke out in other cities, including Varanasi, Hinduism's holiest city, and in the northern town of Meerut, where crowds of hundreds of thousands chanted "Down with Shilpa Shetty!" Star News Office was also attacked. The protests did not take any violent turn and the situation was quickly brought under control with some activists being detained.
Shetty responded to these protests by saying "I understand this (kissing) is his (Gere's) culture, not ours. But this was not such a big thing or so obscene for people to overreact in such a manner. I understand people's sentiments, but I don't want a foreigner to take bad memories from here."
On April 26, 2007 an Indian court in Rajasthan issued a warrant for Shetty and Gere's arrest. Shetty said she would attend court if her lawyers advised her to and that she felt the magistrates were seeking fame at her expense.
Awards and honours
* 1998: Bollywood Movie Award - Best Supporting Actress for Pardesi Babu
* 2004: Giant International Award for Phir Milenge
* 2005: AAHOA Award for Phir Milenge
* 2007: IIFA special award from local authorities.
* 2007: Silver Star Award for her outstanding contribution to humanitarian causes
* 2007: Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts by De Montfort University in Leicester, UK. Shetty is the youngest actor from the Indian film fraternity to join.
* 2007: Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award
Filmography
1993 Baazigar Seema Chopra Hindi Nominated, Filmfare Best Debut Award
1994 Aao Pyaar Karen Chhaya Hindi
1994 Main Khiladi Tu Anari Mona/Basanti Hindi
1994 Aag Bijli Hindi
1995 Hathkadi Neha Hindi
1996 Mr. Romeo Shilpa Tamil Dubbed into Hindi and Telugu as Mr. Romeo
1996 Chhote Sarkar Seema Hindi
1996 Himmat Nisha Hindi
1996 Sahasa Veerudu Sagara Kanya Sona Telugu Dubbed into Hindi as Saagar Kanya
1997 Dus Journalist Hindi Incomplete role
1997 Gambler Ritu Hindi
1997 Prithvi Neha Hindi
1997 Insaaf Divya Hindi
1997 Zameer: The Awakening of a Soul Roma Khurana Hindi
1997 Auzaar Prathna Thakur Hindi
1997 Veedeva Dani Babu Nandhana Telugu
1998 Pardesi Babu Chinni Malhotra Hindi
1998 Aakrosh Komal Hindi
1999 Jaanwar Mamta Hindi
1999 Shool Hindi Item number
1999 Lal Baadshah Lawyer's daughter Hindi
2000 Azad Kanaka Mahalakshmi Telugu
2000 Dhadkan Anjali Hindi Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
2000 Tarkieb Preeti Sharma Hindi
2000 Khushi Macarena Tamil
2000 Jung Tara Hindi
2001 Indian Anjali Rajshekar Azad Hindi
2001 Bhalevadivi Basu Shilpa Telugu Dubbed into Hindi as Sherni Ka Shikaar
2001 Maduve Agona Baa Preeti Kannada
2001 Preethsod Thappa Preethi Kannada
2002 Karz Sapna Hindi
2002 Rishtey Vaijanti Hindi Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
2002 Hathyar Gauri Shivalkar Hindi
2002 Chor Machaaye Shor Kaajal Hindi
2002 Badhaai Ho Badhaai Radha/Banto Betty Hindi
2002 Junoon Hindi
2003 Ondagona Baa Belli Kannada
2003 Darna Mana Hai Gayathri Hindi
2004 Phir Milenge Tamanna Sahani Hindi Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
2004 Garv: Pride and Honour Jannat Hindi
2005 Dus Aditi Hindi
2005 Fareb Neha Hindi
2005 Khamosh: Khauff Ki Raat Sonia Hindi
2005 Auto Shankar Money Lender Kannada
2006 Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar Ahana Hindi
2007 Life In A... Metro Shikha Hindi
2007 Apne Simran Hindi Post-production
2007 Om Shanti Om Special Appearance Hindi
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