Born on June 5, 1975, in Mangalore, Karnataka, Shilpa Shetty began her career as a model in the late 1990s. Her stunning looks and confident demeanor quickly made her a favorite among designers and brands. She soon transitioned to acting, making her film debut in 1996 with the Telugu film "Fidaa." Her breakthrough role came in 2002 with the Bollywood film "The Hero: Love Story of a Spy," which marked the beginning of her successful acting career.