Date: August 16, 2025: Shamita Shetty is a name that shines in Bollywood and beyond. She is an actress, model, and interior designer. Born on February 2, 1979, in Mangalore, Karnataka, she is 46 years old today. She is the younger sister of famous Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty. Shamita has worked hard to make her own mark. Her journey is full of talent, struggles, and new beginnings. Let’s dive into her life story in simple words.
Early Life And Family
Shamita was born in a close-knit family. Her parents, Surendra Shetty and Sunanda Shetty, run a business making tamper-proof water caps for medicines. They belong to the Tulu-speaking Bunt community from Udupi. Shamita grew up in Mumbai with her elder sister, Shilpa Shetty. The sisters share a strong bond. Shamita often says Shilpa is her best friend. Their family is loving and supportive. This gave Shamita the confidence to chase her dreams.
As a child, Shamita was shy but creative. She went to St. Anthony’s Girls’ High School in Mumbai. She loved studying and was good at it. Later, she joined Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai. She earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce. But her heart was in design and art. So, she also studied fashion designing at SNDT Women’s University in Mumbai. To learn more, she went to London. There, she took courses at Inchbald School of Design and Central Saint Martins. These studies shaped her future career.
Shamita Shetty Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Husband, Son
Category | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Shamita Shetty |
Date of Birth | February 2, 1979 |
Age (as of August 16, 2025) | 46 years old |
Birthplace | Mangalore, Karnataka, India |
Family | Parents: Surendra Shetty, Sunanda Shetty Sister: Shilpa Shetty (actress) |
Education | St. Anthony’s Girls’ High School, Mumbai Bachelor’s in Commerce, Sydenham College, Mumbai Fashion Designing, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai Interior Design courses, Inchbald School of Design and Central Saint Martins, London |
Profession | Actress, Model, Interior Designer |
Debut Film | Mohabbatein (2000, Bollywood) |
Notable Bollywood Films | Mohabbatein (2000), Zeher (2005), Fareb (2005), Bewafaa (2005), Cash (2007), The Tenant (2023) |
South Indian Films | Raajjiyam (2002, Tamil), Pilisthe Palukutha (2003, Telugu) |
Popular Songs | “Sharara Sharara” (Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, 2002), “Chori Pe Chori” (Saathiya, 2002) |
Web Series | Black Widows (2020, as Kavita Tharoor) |
Music Video | Tere Vich Rab Disda (2022) |
Reality Shows | Bigg Boss 3 (2009, left early) Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 (2015, 3rd place) Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 9 (2019, 4th place) Bigg Boss OTT 1 (2021, 3rd place) Bigg Boss 15 (2021, 4th place, Style Icon Award) |
Awards | IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year – Female (2001, Mohabbatein) Nominated for Stardust Award (2006, Zeher) Best Interior Design Award, Asia Spa Awards (IOSIS spa, Chandigarh) |
Interior Design Career | Started with Royalty nightclub (2011) Founded Golden Leaf Interiors Designed IOSIS spa, nephew Viaan’s room |
Religion | Hinduism |
Personal Life | Unmarried; dated Raqesh Bapat (2021–2022); first boyfriend passed away in a car crash |
Philanthropy | Supports Save the Girl Child (Betiyaan music video, 2013) Works with HelpAge India (digital literacy, 2018) Visits orphanages on her birthday |
Hobbies | Yoga, Pilates, treadmill workouts, painting, gardening, traveling |
Favorite Foods | Pasta, apple pie, dark chocolate, French fries |
Pets | Two cats: Phoebe and Loki |
Recent Events | Faced luggage issue with IndiGo Airlines (October 29, 2024) Celebrated 25 years of Mohabbatein (2025) |
Nationality | India |
Lifestyle | Fitness enthusiast, follows a healthy diet, loves modern and creative designs |
Acting Career
Shamita’s Bollywood journey began in 2000. She debuted in a big film called *Mohabbatein*. It was made by Yash Raj Films and directed by Aditya Chopra. In the movie, she played Ishika, a lively college girl. Her role was small but memorable. She acted alongside stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai. The film was a huge hit. Shamita won the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year – Female in 2001. This was a proud moment for her.
After *Mohabbatein*, Shamita became a known face. She appeared in hit dance numbers like “Sharara Sharara” in *Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai* (2002). Her dance moves were loved by fans. She also did a song called “Chori Pe Chori” in *Saathiya* (2002). These songs made her popular. In 2005, she starred in *Zeher*, a thriller film with Emraan Hashmi. Her role as Sonia Mehra was strong. Critics praised her acting. She was even nominated for a Stardust Award. Shamita also worked with her sister Shilpa in *Fareb* (2005). Other films like *Bewafaa* (2005) and *Cash* (2007) added to her career.
Shamita didn’t limit herself to Bollywood. She tried her luck in South Indian films too. In 2002, she acted in a Tamil movie called *Raajjiyam*. She played Geeta Karthikeyan. In 2003, she did a Telugu film named *Pilisthe Palukutha*. Her role as Shanti, a college student with a brain tumor, touched hearts. These films showed her versatility. She worked in different languages and won new fans.
Reality Shows
Shamita’s charm wasn’t just for films. She joined many reality shows on TV. In 2009, she entered *Bigg Boss 3*. She stayed for 42 days but left to attend Shilpa’s wedding. Fans loved her calm nature in the show. In 2015, she joined *Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8*, a dance reality show. She danced with Deepak Singh and came third. During rehearsals, she broke her nose but kept going. Her courage impressed everyone.
In 2019, Shamita was on *Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 9*. She faced tough stunts and finished fourth. In 2021, she joined *Bigg Boss OTT 1* and came third. She also entered *Bigg Boss 15* the same year. She was the first and last captain of the season. She won the Style Icon Award and finished fourth. These shows made her a household name. Fans loved her honesty and strength.
Interior Designer
Shamita is not just an actress. She is a talented interior designer. In 2011, she followed her passion for design. She started by designing a Mumbai nightclub called Royalty. It was owned by her family. She had no formal training then, but the project was a success. This inspired her to study interior design in London. After returning to Mumbai, she worked with an architect to gain experience. Later, she started her own company, Golden Leaf Interiors.
Her designs are modern and beautiful. She designed the IOSIS spa in Chandigarh, which won the Best Interior Design Award at the Asia Spa Awards. She also designed her nephew Viaan’s room. Shamita loves creating spaces that feel special. Her work shows her creativity and hard work.
Personal Life
Shamita’s personal life has had ups and downs. She is unmarried but has been linked to a few people. Her first boyfriend sadly passed away in a car crash. This left her heartbroken. In 2021, she met actor Raqesh Bapat on *Bigg Boss OTT*. They started dating and were loved as “ShaRa” by fans. But in July 2022, they broke up. Shamita shared the news on Instagram. She said they were no longer together but remained friends.
Social Work
Shamita has a big heart. She supports many causes. In 2012, she walked the ramp for a charity fashion show to help children with cancer. In 2013, she starred in a music video called *Betiyaan* for the Save the Girl Child campaign. She also works with HelpAge India to support the elderly. In 2018, she joined their digital literacy program. She believes technology helps older people stay connected. Every year, she visits orphanages on her birthday. She spends time with children and the elderly, bringing them gifts.
Struggles Days
Shamita’s journey hasn’t been easy. She faced controversies, like wardrobe malfunctions in 2007 and 2013. These incidents made headlines. In 2019, a video showed her being rude to a fan asking for a selfie. Fans criticized her, but she later apologized. Shamita has also spoken about living in Shilpa’s shadow. People often compared them, which was hard. But she worked hard to create her own identity.
She also faced career setbacks. Many of her films didn’t release due to issues. This made her choosy about roles. She wanted quality over quantity. But this led to fewer offers. Instead of giving up, she turned to interior designing. Her determination is inspiring.
Recent Work And Achievements
In 2023, Shamita returned to films with *The Tenant*. She played Meera, a modern woman facing society’s challenges. The film won the Best Film Award at the Indian Film Festival Stuttgart 2021. Shilpa praised her performance. Shamita said the role connected with her deeply. She also starred in a music video called *Tere Vich Rab Disda* in 2022. Her work in the web series *Black Widows* (2020) was loved too. Critics said she brought life to her role as Kavita Tharoor.
On October 29, 2024, Shamita faced an issue with IndiGo Airlines. Her luggage was offloaded without her permission. She shared her frustration online. Fans supported her for speaking up. In 2025, she celebrated 25 years of *Mohabbatein*. She called it a “dream debut” on Instagram. Shilpa also wished her on her 46th birthday with a sweet video.
Hobbies And Lifestyle
Shamita loves staying active. She enjoys yoga, meditation, and workouts. She often posts fitness tips online. She also loves painting and gardening. Her home has plants like spider and snake plants. She has two pet cats, Phoebe and Loki. Shamita enjoys traveling to places like Goa and Dubai. Her favorite foods are pasta, apple pie, and chocolates. She loves dark chocolate and French fries too.
Why Shamita Inspires
Shamita Shetty is a true multitasker. She shines as an actress, designer, and philanthropist. Her journey shows that hard work pays off. She faced challenges but never gave up. From her debut in *Mohabbatein* to designing beautiful spaces, she has done it all. Her bond with Shilpa is heartwarming. She proves that you can follow your dreams at any age. Shamita’s story is about courage, talent, and staying true to yourself.