Shilpa Shetty

Infobox actor
name = Shilpa Shetty

---

caption = Shilpa Shetty at the 2007 IIFA Awards.
birthdate = birth date and age|1975|06|8
birthplace = Tamil Nadu, India
occupation = Actress, Model
yearsactive = 1993 — present
website = http://www.shilpashettylive.com
spouse = None

Shilpa Shetty (Tulu: ಶಿಲ್ಪ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ; born 8 June 1975) is an Indian film actress and model. Since making her debut in the film "Baazigar" (1993), she has appeared in nearly 50 Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language films, her first leading role being in the 1994 "Aag". Although she went through years of decline during her career, Shetty was willing to reinvent herself quite often. Her performances in "Dhadkan" (2000) and "Rishtey" (2002) were appreciated, while her portrayal of an AIDS patient in "Phir Milenge" (2004), won her many accolades. Her younger sister Shamita Shetty is also a Bollywood film actress.

Shetty has been embroiled in various controversies including suspected mafia links. In 2006 she was issued with a warrant on charges of obscenity. After taking part in the British "Celebrity Big Brother" TV show in 2007, Shetty was crowned the winner with 63% of the final vote, [cite web
work=channel4.com | title=Shilpa Shetty wins Celebrity Big Brother 2007 | url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/B/bb7_celebrity/news/newsstory.jsp?id=1456&housemateId=9 | accessdate=28 January | accessyear=2007] after an international racism controversy involving her and fellow contestants Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd. This was followed by her comeback to films in 2007 when she acted in two successive movies, "Life in a... Metro" and "Apne", with her performance in the former drawing positive reviews. Shetty thus re-established her status in the film industry. [cite web | author=Sen, Raja | work=Rediff.com | title=The most powerful actresses of 2007 | url=http://specials.rediff.com/yearend/2007/dec/18yrpoweractress11.htm | accessdate=29 December | accessyear=2007]

Biography

Shilpa Shetty was born in a traditional close-knit familycite web | work=timesonline.co.uk
title=Times exclusive: interview with Shilpa Shetty's mother | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article1294040.ece | accessdate=27 February | accessyear=2007] that hails from the matrilineal Bunt community [cite web | work=inhome.rediff.com | title=Will Big Brother boost Shilpa's career? | url=http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/18shilpa.htm | accessdate=19 January | accessyear=2007] of Tulu Nadu. Although she was born in Tamil Nadu, she describes herself as a Mangalorean. [cite web | work=inhome.rediff.com| title=Why Does Everyone Hate Me?
url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1992029,00.html| accessdate=26 January | accessyear=2007] 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 speaks several other languages at differing levels, including English, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Urdu and basic French.cite web | work=shilpa-shetty.com| title=Shilpa Shetty Biography - by: Dechen| url=http://www.shilpa-shetty.com/biography.html| accessdate=October 20 | accessyear=2007] One of her nicknames is "Silly Pooh". [cite web | work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com | title=Silly pooh Shilpa Shetty | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/46805401.cms| accessdate=3 Jan | accessyear=2007]

In Mumbai, she attended St. Anthony Girls' High School in Chembur, and later attended Podar College in Matunga. A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, she is also into sports and was the captain of the volleyball team in school and earned a black belt in Karate and currently a dancesport expert and enthusiast. [cite web | work=channel4.com | title=C4 Profile | url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/B/bb7_celebrity/housemates/housemate_news.jsp?id=9 | accessdate=19 January | accessyear=2007]

Shetty currently lives in Mumbai with her parents and younger sister Shamita Shetty, who is a budding Bollywood actress. They worked together once in the film "Fareb" (2005). At 5 ft 10 inches (178 cm), Shilpa Shetty is among the tallest actresses in Bollywood.

Career

Film career

Shetty started her career by modelling for Limca in 1991 at age 16, [cite web|work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|title=Shilpa denies any underworld connection|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/48771.cms|accessdate=3 Jan|accessyear=2007] and made her film debut in 1993 with "Baazigar", portraying a woman murdered by her psychopathic boyfriend. Shetty took the supporting role of Seema, co-starring alongside Shahrukh Khan and Kajol; the film was a major success and earned her a nomination for Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. [cite web|work=filmfareawards.indiatimes.com|title=Filmfare nomination for Shetty|url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368610.cms|accessdate=23 Jan|accessyear=2007]

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. [cite web
work=boxofficeindia.com
title=Box office analysis
url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/1994.htm
accessdate=23 Jan
accessyear=2007] This was followed by many films which were average to poor performers at the box office. Shetty starred in 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. [cite web
work=boxofficeindia.com
title=Box office analysis
url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/2000.htm.asp
accessdate=23 Jan
accessyear=2007] She received several nominations under the Best Actress category in different award ceremonies. She would later go on to star with Anil Kapoor and 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 nominations for "Best Comedian" as well. [cite web
work=filmfareawards.indiatimes.com
title=Filmfare nomination for Shetty
url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368744.cms
accessdate=23 Jan
accessyear=2007]

2004 was also a good year for Shetty with the release of "" in which she portrayed a Muslim orphan and disillusioned table dancer starring opposite Salman Khan. According to Shetty, she chose to do the film because she liked the subject. The film was a cop drama, and did not do well at the box office eventually. However, she received much acclaim for her performance in "Phir Milenge" where she made 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 1993s "Philadelphia", was perceived to have tackled a social taboo as yet unaddressed by Bollywood. The film earned Shetty a Filmfare Best Actress nomination, and provided an impetus for her HIV-related charity work (see below). Film critic Taran Adarsh from "indiaFM" noted, "Phir Milenge belongs to Shilpa Shetty completely. She delivers, what can be rightly called, the performance of her career. The viewer feels and empathizes with the character mainly because of her effective portrayal. She conveys the pain and the emotional upheaval through her expressive eyes, making it amongst the most memorable performances the year has seen so far." [cite web
work=indiafm.com
title=Shetty shines in Phir Milenge
url=http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/7176/index.html
accessdate=23 Jan
accessyear=2007] This marked a break from the previous trend of superficial song-and-dance items in favour of roles which have a greater depth of character. exemplified by her film "Dus" (2005), an action thriller. Although it received average returns at the box office, [cite web
work=boxofficeindia.com
title=Box office analysis
url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/2005.htm
accessdate=23 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web
work=indiafm.com
title=Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar
url=http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/11637/index.html
accessdate=25 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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.

2007 proved to be Shetty's most successful year at the box office so far. Her first release, "Life In A... Metro", won a significant reception, and became the first Bollywood movie to premiere at Leicester Square. [cite web | work=Ibnlive.com | title=Shilpa's World Premiere in London | url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/showbiz/05_2007/pics-shilpas-big-day-in-london-40046.html | accessdate=1 July | accessyear=2007] The film performed well at the box office, and was declared a semi-hit within three weeks. In addition to that, the film was critically acclaimed and Shetty's performance was appreciated, with Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN writing, "It's a terrific performance and unquestionably Shilpa's best to date." [cite web|author=Masand, Rajeev|work=Ibnlive.com| title=Masand's verdict: Metro|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/masands-verdict-metro/40402-8-p1.html|accessdate=December 29|accessyear=2007] Her second release, alongside three Deols, Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby, the drama "Apne", was also a box office success.

Celebrity Big Brother 2007

Shetty was a contestant in and the winner of "Celebrity Big Brother UK".cite web
work=metro.co.uk
title=Bollywood star in Celebrity Big Brother
url=http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=31455&in_page_id=7&in_a_source=
accessdate=3 January
accessyear=2007] and is the first Indian celebrity included in the Celebrity version. Reportedly paid Rs.31.5 m (£367,500 GBP) for her participation,cite web
work=gg2.net
title=Lots of money for BB7
url=http://www.gg2.net/viewnews.asp?nid=2164&tid=top_stories&catid=Top%20Stories
accessdate=3 January
accessyear=2007] she said to presenter Davina McCall, "I just want every Indian to be extremely proud that I'm in here". [cite web
work=breakingnews.iol.ie
title=Sixth to enter house
url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=206033392&p=zx6x34x98
accessdate=3 January
accessyear=2007] 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."cite web
work=channel4.com
title=Housemates
url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/B/bb7_celebrity/housemates/housemate_news.jsp?id=9
accessdate=5 January
accessyear=2007] Sister Shamita told the "Times of India" that this "is the boldest decision Shilpa has taken hitherto." [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title='This is Shilpa's boldest decision'
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City_Supplements/Lucknow_Times/This_is_Shilpas_boldest_decision/articleshow/1100529.cms | accessdate=13 January
accessyear=2007] The Scotsman reported that PETA backed Shetty to win the contest and urged British viewers to vote for her. [cite web
work=news.scotsman.com
title=Rights group urges Big Brother viewers to roar on Shetty
url=http://news.scotsman.com/education.cfm?id=46692007
accessdate=13 January
accessyear=2007] [cite web
work=dnaindia.com
title=Animal activists support Shilpa Shetty
url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1073854
accessdate=13 January
accessyear=2007]

During her time, Shetty instructed fellow housemates Carole Malone and Ken Russell in meditation, [cite web
work=channel4.com
title=The Universal Om
url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/B/bb7_celebrity/news/newsstory.jsp?id=1059&articleMask=1&housemateId=9
accessdate=5 January
accessyear=2007] flirted with Dirk Benedict [cite web
work=channel4.com
title=Flirt Alert
url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/B/bb7_celebrity/news/newsstory.jsp?id=1109&articleMask=1&housemateId=9
accessdate=10 January
accessyear=2007] but tempers started to fray by Day 7 as a clique formed in the house disapproving of Shilpa's presence. [cite web
work=channel4.com
title=The Fit Controller
url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/B/bb7_celebrity/news/newsstory.jsp?id=1137&articleMask=1&housemateId=9
accessdate=10 January
accessyear=2007] [cite web
work=channel4.com
title=Mountain out of a Molehill
url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/B/bb7_celebrity/news/newsstory.jsp?id=1203&articleMask=1&housemateId=9
accessdate=14 January | accessyear=2007] Following a worldwide controversy that publicised her as a target of racist bullying (see below) 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". [cite web
work=news.bbc.co.uk
title=Shetty wins Celebrity Big Brother
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6308443.stm
accessdate=30 January
accessyear=2007]

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 then-British prime minister Tony Blair. _{[http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Big_Brother_star_meets_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 act in the British "EastEnders" soap opera, and turned it down as it would mean all her other arrangements would have to go on hold. [cite web
work=Radiosargam.com| title=Shilpa turns down part in EastEnders | url=http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archives/2143/shilpa-turns-down-part-in-eastenders.html | accessdate=1 July| accessyear=2007]

She was 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. [cite web | work=Bollyrock.com | title=Shilpa Shetty To Milk Britons Dry | url=http://www.bollyrock.com/?p=13 | accessdate=1 July | accessyear=2007] She was on the cover of the first issue of OK! Magazine to be sold in India. [cite web|work=in.movies.yahoo.com|title=Shilpa on the cover of OK Magazine|url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/060517/24/64b4o.html | accessdate=6 January|accessyear=2007]

In early September 2007 she modelled at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, which also displayed some famous Bollywood actresses including Lara Dutta and Celina Jaitley. [ [http://in.specials.yahoo.com/willslifestyleindiafashionweek/ Shilpa models for Lifestyle fashion week] . "Yahoo.com"] As of October 2007, Shilpa will be seen in a musical titled "Miss Bollywood". On her agenda next, is a cookery book titled "Soul Curry" and role of Sita in Uru Patel's international venture "Hanuman". [ http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/33303.html Shilpa's next plans] . "indiaglitz.com".]

Bigg Boss

Starting August 17, 2008, Shetty is hosting the second season of "Bigg Boss", the Indian version of "Big Brother". Controversially, Jade Goody was one of the initial housemates. Goody left the Bigg Boss House early in the series after receiving news that she had cervical cancer.

Other 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 support to a BBC World Service Trust television show designed to tackle the problem of HIV-AIDS in India.cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=Bollywood stars in BBC Aids show
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4697030.stm | accessdate=4 January | accessyear=2007] 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. According to reports, she participated in order to show with HIV-AIDS sufferers.

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: cquote|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. [*cite web | work=hindu.com | title=Distress call from tinsel town 'tigress' | url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/02/stories/2006050202730200.htm | accessdate=2 Jan
accessyear=2007
*cite web | work=hindu.com | title=Say no to tortured circus animals | url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/05/22/stories/2006052201210200.htm | accessdate=2 Jan | accessyear=2007
*cite web
work=tribuneindia.com | title=Starry crusaders & circus beasts | url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040321/spectrum/main6.htm | accessdate=2 Jan | accessyear=2007
*cite web
work=petaindia.com | title=Circus: A Ring of Abuse | url=http://www.petaindia.com/feat/shilpa/index.html | accessdate=2 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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"." [cite web | work=petaindia.com | title=Shilpa Shetty Speaks Up About Cruelty To Animals In Circuses | url=http://www.petaindia.com/newsnew/NewsItem.asp?id=2996
accessdate=2 Jan | accessyear=2007]

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?"cite web | work=rediff.com | title=Shilpa Shetty on matters close to her heart
url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/30shilpa.htm | accessdate=2 Jan | accessyear=2007]

Personal life

Shetty is a frequent subject of speculation regarding romance.cite web
work=news.bbc.co.uk
title=Bollywood icon woos UK audience
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6226239.stm
accessdate=6 January
accessyear=2007] However, she has remained tight-lipped whenever questions of marriage are posed to her. The couple broke up in 2000 after he started dating Shetty's friend and fellow actress Twinkle Khanna after a previous indiscretion,cite web
work=sundaymirror.co.uk
title=Shilpa:My love for married dad
url=http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=shilpa%2D-my-love-for-married-dad%26method=full%26objectid=18573282%26siteid=62484-name_page.html | accessdate=2 March
accessyear=2007] and which led to Shetty's successful suing of "Stardust Magazine" for publishing a "damaging" report about the affair.cite web
work=news.bbc.co.uk
title=Profile: Shilpa Shetty
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6272561.stm
accessdate=2 March
accessyear=2007]

In an interview for "The Times of India", Shetty quashed rumours of a romance with film director Anubhav Sinha and claimed to have changed her mobile phone number in order to concentrate on her busy schedule.cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title='Men will run away thinking I'm involved'
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City_Supplements/Ahmedabad_Times/Men_will_run_away_thinking_Im_involved/articleshow/1026753.cms | accessdate=6 January
accessyear=2007] 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 she's dating London-based NRI Raj Kundra. Shetty has stated that she plans to marry in three years and would love to adopt a teenage daughter..

Controversies

Alleged 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.cite web
work=hindu.com
title=Arrest warrants against parents of Shilpa Shetty
url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/05/17/stories/2003051704830100.htm
accessdate=2 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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 INRConvert|50|l|2 out of a contractually-agreed INRConvert|3|c|2. Agarwal claimed that the full sum had been paid in advance, but he had no knowledge of how much had been paid to Shilpa. [cite web
work=news.bbc.co.uk
title=Shilpa Shetty's father seeks bail
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/43605004.cms
accessdate=2 Jan
accessyear=2007] Surendra Shetty was refused bail by a Mumbai court although bail was granted to Sunanda, [cite web
work=news.bbc.co.uk
title=No bail for Shetty's father
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2947164.stm
accessdate=2 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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". [cite web
work=accessmylibrary.com
title=Shilpa Shetty's mother arrested and freed on bail
url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-4510133_ITM
accessdate=2 Jan
accessyear=2007] [cite web
work=accessmylibrary.com
title=Taped calls add to Shilpa Shetty's parents' woes
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/46868829.cms
accessdate=2 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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." [cite web
work=economictimes.indiatimes.com
title=Praful Sarees: Shilpa's mother moves court for bail
url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/11847.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web
work=economictimes.indiatimes.com
title=Praful Sarees: Shilpa's parents deny underworld links
url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/11378.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Shilpa Shetty's father admits talking to mafia
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/22076.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Shetty's driver introduced him to the underworld: Police
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/23315.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Shettys sought help from ex-minister to recover dues
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/23743.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007]

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. [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Shilpa's father likely to be arrested
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/27825.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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 do not know, I talked to them only after they called up and said they were agents of Agarwal." [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Surendra gives up before Surat police
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/34367.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Shetty remanded to police custody till June 24
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/35739.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Shilpa tells police: I know nothing
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/49066.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Sunanda Shetty's bail hearing deferred to July 4
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/51979.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007]

Another twist occurred when the Shettys' driver, Dilip Pashekhar, was arrested. [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Shilpa Shetty's driver arrested
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/71045.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Shilpa's parents chargesheeted in extortion case
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/269058.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title=Shilpa Shetty's mother defends daughter
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1927222.cms
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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". [cite web
work=theindian.co.nz
title=Shilpa Shetty Lets Her Guard Down
url=http://www.theindian.co.nz/testing/default.asp?page=641
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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.cite web
work=in.rediff.com
title=Non-bailable warrants against Shilpa Shetty, Reema Sen
url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2006/apr/21shilpa.htm
accessdate=3 Jan
accessyear=2007] 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." [cite web
work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com
title='If navel is obscene, let's ban saris'
url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1504414.cms
accessdate=4 Jan
accessyear=2007]

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. [cite web
work=telegraphindia.com
title=Top judge snubs Shilpa’s plea
url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070114/asp/nation/story_7260510.asp
accessdate=16 Jan
accessyear=2007]

Celebrity Big Brother racism controversy

During her time on "Celebrity Big Brother", Shetty was allegedly a target of racism and bullying by other housemates, chiefly by Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd.cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=Anger over Big Brother 'racism' | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6265127.stm | accessdate=17 January | accessyear=2007] After mocking the east London dialect of Jade Goody's mother, who mis-pronounced her name as 'Shiwpa', Shetty was mocked for her Indian accent and was branded as "The Indian" and a "dog". Disparaging conversations took place among the other housemates about Indian eating habits, and Shetty's cooking was criticised for being the cause of diarrhea for O'Meara.cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=How the Big Brother row erupted | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6271161.stm | accessdate=18 January | accessyear=2007] After Shetty attempted to dispose of left-over chicken soup down the toilet and caused a blockage, Jack Tweed suggested that she should pick the bones out with her teeth and allegedly referred to her as a "fucking " [cite web | work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com | title=Big Brother has a Big Mouth | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City_Supplements/Calcutta_Times/Big_Brother_has_a_Big_Mouth/articleshow/1186065.cms | accessdate=15 January | accessyear=2007] although show producers denied this and stated that the word used was "cunt".cite web | work=politics.guardian.co.uk | title=Racism, ratings and reality TV: now Big Brother creates a diplomatic incident | url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,,1992924,00.html
accessdate=18 January | accessyear=2007] cite web | work=media.guardian.co.uk | title=Big Brother racism complaints soar | url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1991561,00.html | accessdate=17 January | accessyear=2007] During a fierce argument, Goody told Shetty that she needed to "spend a day in the slums", although the media falsely reported this as "go back to the slums". [cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk
title=Shetty fears Big Brother 'racism' | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6273677.stm | accessdate=3 February
accessyear=2007] Claiming that she did not know Shilpa's surname, Jade referred to her as "Shilpa Fuckawallah", "Shilpa Durupa"," and "Shilpa Poppadom", later claiming that they were non-racist references to Indian food.cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=Rows 'not racist', say housemates | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6277301.stm | accessdate=4 February | accessyear=2007] [cite web
work=media.guardian.co.uk | title=Beauty and the beastliness: a tale of declining British values | url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1994220,00.html | accessdate=3 February | accessyear=2007] Lloyd had opined that Shetty's English-speaking skills were lacking and verbally indicated her desire that Shetty would "fuck off home".cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=Big Brother controversy in quotes | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6282883.stm | accessdate=3 February | accessyear=2007] Shetty had been reduced to tears on several occasions, confiding to fellow housemate Ian Watkins: "I feel like I'm losing my dignity."

Shetty speculated if she was a victim of racism,cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=Channel 4 denies Brother 'racism' | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6272585.stm | accessdate=18 January | accessyear=2007] but later retracted it by claiming: "People say things in anger." A record 40,000 complaints were received jointly by OFCOM and Channel 4 about the treatment meted to Shetty, 30 of which were formally investigated by Hertfordshire police. [cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=Lawyer joins Big Brother review | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6292521.stm | accessdate=4 February | accessyear=2007] wikinews2|Big Brother star meets Tony Blair|UK Celebrity Big Brother loses sponsorship over racism allegations Carphone Warehouse suspended its sponsorship of the show [cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=Big Brother sponsor suspends deal | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6274881.stm | accessdate=19 January
accessyear=2007] and the founder Louise Burfitt-Dons of the Act Against Bullying charity, branded Jade Goody's behaviour as "unforgivable". [cite web | work=news.scotsman.com| title=Violent soap operas and bullying behaviour on television shows harm children | url=http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment.cfm?id=116102007 | accessdate=1 July
accessyear=2007] [cite web | work=entertainment.timesonline.co.uk | title=Big Brother 'racism' complaints flood in to watchdog | url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,23569-2549464,00.html | accessdate=17 January
accessyear=2007] The controversy reached the British Parliament as an early day motion in the House of Commons was tabled. [cite web | work=edmi.parliament.uk | title=Allegations of Racist Behaviour on Big Brother | url=http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=32315&SESSION=885 | accessdate=18 January | accessyear=2007] cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=Big Brother row reaches Commons
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6268401.stm | accessdate=17 January | accessyear=2007] The row then escalated into an international diplomatic incident after a formal complaint from Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma lodged to then-British PM Tony Blair that threatened to sour relations and damage trade between the two countries. In the city of Patna in Bihar, India, angry protestors marched in the streets and burned effigies in protest of the show where it had been termed 'Bigot Brother'. [cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=Big Brother crashes into politics | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6270825.stm | accessdate=18 January | accessyear=2007]

During a parliamentary Prime Minister's Question Time session Blair responded that "We should oppose racism in all its forms."cite web | work=news.bbc.co.uk | title=Politicians enter Big Brother row | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6270825.stm | accessdate=18 January | accessyear=2007] Gordon Brown, then-Chancellor of the Exchequer who was in India on a goodwill visit, condemned the controversy as "offensive" and the opposite of what Britain stood for: "I want Britain to be seen as a country of fairness and tolerance. Anything that detracts from that I condemn." [cite web | work=telegraph.co.uk
title=Blair and Brown dragged into TV racism row | url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/01/18/nbb18.xml | accessdate=18 January | accessyear=2007] In an official statement, Channel 4 denied that overt racial abuse or behaviour had been directed at Shetty, but acknowledged that a "cultural and class clash" was responsible for the disputes. After a thorough investigation, OFCOM made an unprecedented move and issued a ruling that Channel 4 were guilty of broadcasting potentially racist material, and required them to make multiple apologies on air during the next "Big Brother" season. [cite web | work=guardian.co.uk | title=Ofcom makes landmark ruling over Big Brother | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/may/24/ofcom.channel4 | accessdate=4 January | accessyear=2008] [cite press release | title = Adjudication of Ofcom Content Sanctions Committee - Channel Four Television Corporation in respect of its service Channel 4 | publisher = OFCOM | date = 2007-05-24 | url = http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/ocsc_adjud/channel4_cbb/ | accessdate = 2008-01-04]

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.cite web | work=comcast.net| title=Chaos over a kiss| url=http://www.comcast.net/entertainment/index.jsp?cat=ENTERTAINMENT&fn=/2007/04/16/637859.html| accessdate=16 April| accessyear=2007] 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.cite web | work= dailymail.co.uk| title=Shilpa & Richard up for a cause| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=448932&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490
accessdate=16 April| accessyear=2007] The kiss, considered an attack on India's cultural and moral values, prompted protesters—alleged members of the extremist Hindu group Shiv Sena—to beat burning effigies of Gere with sticks.cite web | work= news.yahoo.com| title=Kissing Incident| url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070416/od_nm/india_gere_aids_dc| accessdate=16 April| accessyear=2007] Others set fire to glamour shots of Shetty. People demanded an apology from her and threatened to ban her movies in the state.cite web | work= rediff.com| title=Shilpa will not appologize| url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/apr/16shilpa.htm| accessdate=16 April| accessyear=2007] Shiv Sena leaders denied involvement in the protests, but Shiv Sena member of parliament Sanjay Raut observed that the 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" [cite web | work= dnaindia.com| title=Protest over Shilpa-Gere kiss justified: Sena| url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1091336| accessdate=22 April| accessyear=2007]

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!". The 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.cite web | work= The Hindu| title=Shilpa, Gere's kissing triggers an outcry | url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200704162068.htm| accessdate=22 April| accessyear=2007]

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 do not 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.cite web | work= accesshollywood.com| title= Indian Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Richard Gere | url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah5051.shtml| accessdate=26 April| accessyear=2007]

The legal action against both Shetty and Gere has been suspended by the Indian Supreme Court until the court decides on the case's proper jurisdiction. Gere has since expressed regret for causing any offense and Shetty has stated: "so much has been blown out of proportion".cite web | work= International Version| title=Shetty questioned over Gere kiss | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7016745.stm| accessdate=28 September | accessyear=2007]

Awards and honours

;Won
* 1998: Bollywood Movie Award - Best Supporting Actress for "Pardesi Babu"
* 2004: Giant International Award for "Phir Milenge".
* 2005: AAHOA Award for "Phir Milenge".
* 2005: Indian "Diva of the Year" by SaharaOne Television viewers. [http://www.nowrunning.com/news/slideshow.asp?newsID=2560]
* 2007: IIFA Special Award for Global Impact.
* 2007: Silver Star Award for her outstanding contribution to humanitarian causes. [cite web|title=Shilpa Shetty receives Silver Star Award|url=http://www.headlinesindia.com/entertainment/index.jsp?news_code=45703|date=June 17, 2007|accessdate=2008-01-23|publisher=Headlines India]
* 2007: Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award. [cite web|title=Rajiv Gandhi awards presented to achievers|url=http://sify.com/cities/mumbai/fullstory.php?id=14509427|date=13 August 2007|accessdate=2008-01-23|publisher=Sify]
*2008: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Female for "Life in a... Metro". [" [http://www.indiafm.com/features/2008/04/27/3817/index.html Winners of the Zee Cine Awards 2008] ", "indiafm.com", URL last accessed on 2008-04-27]

;Nominations
* 1994: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for "Baazigar"
* 2001: IIFA Best Actress Award for "Dhadkan"
* 2003: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for "Rishtey"
* 2003: Star Screen Award Best Comedian for "Rishtey"
* 2005: Star Screen Award Best Actress for "Phir Milenge"
* 2005: Filmfare Best Actress Award for "Phir Milenge"
* 2005: Zee Cine Award Best Actor- Female for "Phir Milenge"
* 2005: IIFA Best Actress Award for "Phir Milenge"
* 2005: Bollywood Movie Award - Best Actress for "Phir Milenge"

Filmography

ee also

*List of Indian movie actresses

References

External links

*
* Profile Page at [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6272561.stm BBC News]
* [http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/26/gere.arrest.reut/index.html?eref=rss_topstories Scandal with American actor Gere at AIDS awareness gathering] (CNN article.}
* [http://www.who.com/who/magazine/article/0,19636,7401070521-1619685,00.html Interview with Shilpa on WHO.com]

Persondata
NAME=Shetty, Shilpa
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Indian film actress
DATE OF BIRTH=8 June 1975
PLACE OF BIRTH=Tamil Nadu, India