Shilpa Shetty turns 45: Rare photos of Bollywood diva

Shilpa Shetty Kundra is an actor, businesswoman and fitness enthusiast. As the Bollywood diva turns 45 today, we take a look at her life and career. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa Shetty was born to Surendra Shetty and Sunanda Shetty in 1975. Her younger sister Shamita Shetty is also an actor. Though a film titled Gaata Rahe Mera Dil, opposite brothers Rohit and Ronit Roy, was supposed to be her Bollywood debut, it did not see the light of day. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa's entry into the films, hence, came with Abbas-Mustan's blockbuster thriller Baazigar in 1993, opposite Shah Rukh Khan. The film also starred Kajol. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

This was followed by Shilpa ruling the box office with back-to-back releases in the 1990s-2000s. She was seen in films like Auzaar, Aakrosh, Tarkieb, Jung, Karz, Badhaai Ho Badhaai, Darna Mana Hai, Fareb, Dus, Chor Machaaye Shor, Apne and more. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa's most frequent collaborations were with Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Suniel Shetty and Sunny Deol. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa Shetty seen here with Suniel Shetty and director Nitin Manmohan on the set of film Prithvi. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa and Akshay's pairing delivered hits like Aag, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Insaaf, Aakrosh and Dhadkan. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Her releases with Govinda included Chhote Sarkar, The Gambler and Pardesi Babu. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

The high points of Shilpa Shetty's career remain Suneel Darshan's Dhadkan and the item songs "UP Bihar Lootne" in Shool and "Shut Up & Bounce" in Dostana. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa Shetty did films like Garv, Auzaar, Phir Milenge and Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar with Salman Khan. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa Shetty snapped with Amitabh Bachchan, Manisha Koirala and Amrish Puri. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

In 2007, Shilpa participated in British television reality show Celebrity Big Brother, and emerged as the winner, despite becoming a victim of racial discrimination. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

This was followed by her hosting the second season of Bigg Boss in India (2008). (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa has been a celebrity judge on several TV shows, including Nach Baliye and Super Dancer. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa's other works include her association with PETA since 2006 and her own fitness DVD, which she launched in 2015. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa got married to Britain based businessman Raj Kundra. Shilpa and Raj have an 8-year-old son Viaan. Their daughter was born in 2020. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa, along with Raj Kundra, backed Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals from 2009 to 2015. (Source: Photo by Express archives)

Shilpa was last seen in a special song in Dishkiyaoon (2014), which she also co-produced. (Source: Photo by Express archives)