Shilpa Shetty: Age, Husband, Children & Controversies

Shilpa Shetty first stepped into Bollywood in 1993 as a striking presence in Baazigar, but it would take more than a decade—and a reality TV storm—to turn her into a household name across two continents. Today, at 49, she is known as much for her wellness brand and yoga advocacy as for her film career. This article traces her journey from the big screen to the headlines, separating confirmed facts from the rumors.

Age: 49 (as of 2025) · Height: 1.70 m · Marriages: 1 · Children: 2 · Films: 50+ · Years active: 1993–present

Seven key facts, one pattern: Shilpa Shetty Kundra built a career on versatility — from Bollywood lead to reality TV champion to wellness entrepreneur — while navigating intense public scrutiny.

The table below captures the core biographical data that anchors her public profile.

How many marriages did Shilpa Shetty have?

Shilpa Shetty has been married once — to British-Indian businessman Raj Kundra on 22 November 2009 (IMDb biography). The marriage produced a son, Viaan Raj Kundra, born in 2017, and a daughter, Samisha Shetty Kundra, born in 2020 (IMDb). Raj Kundra, known for his stance on only kissing his wife, has been a consistent public partner through the couple’s legal and financial ups and downs.

Why did Akshay Kumar leave Shilpa Shetty?

• Shilpa Shetty was in a relationship with actor Akshay Kumar in the 1990s, which ended amicably. Neither party has cited a dramatic cause; both moved on professionally (Hindustan Times).
• The breakup made headlines at the time but did not turn into a public feud — Kumar later married Twinkle Khanna, and Shetty married Kundra.

Which actor only kisses his wife?

Raj Kundra has stated in interviews that he only kisses his wife, Shilpa Shetty, as a matter of principle. This personal rule has been cited in Bollywood gossip columns as a quirk rather than a controversy (Times of India).

How many babies did Shilpa Shetty have?

Shilpa Shetty has two children with Raj Kundra: son Viaan Raj Kundra (born 21 May 2017) and daughter Samisha Shetty Kundra (born 15 February 2020) (IMDb). Both births were widely covered in Indian media, and Shetty has spoken openly about her experience as a mother.

• Viaan’s birth was via natural delivery
• Samisha was born through surrogacy, which Shetty confirmed in a social media post (Instagram)

What happened between Richard Gere and Shilpa Shetty?

In April 2007, Hollywood actor Richard Gere kissed Shilpa Shetty on stage during an AIDS awareness event in New Delhi. The kiss, intended as a gesture of solidarity, sparked massive public outrage in India. Obscenity charges were filed against both Gere and Shetty (BBC News).

• The charges were later dismissed by the Supreme Court of India.
• Gere publicly apologized, calling the incident a misunderstanding.
• The episode inflamed cultural sensitivities around public displays of affection and celebrity conduct.

Who did Richard Gere confess was the love of his life?

There is no reliable evidence that Richard Gere called Shilpa Shetty “the love of his life.” This claim circulates in unverified gossip sites but is absent from any credible news source (IBTimes treats it as rumor). It remains an urban legend.

What religion is Shilpa Shetty?

Shilpa Shetty practices Hinduism (Wikipedia). She has been a long-time follower of the Art of Living foundation and Siddha Yoga, though the precise lineage of her spiritual practice is not formally documented in mainstream biographical sources.

• She frequently posts about yoga and meditation on social media.
• Her wellness brand, Shety, aligns with Ayurvedic principles.

Which surgery did Shilpa Shetty have?

Shilpa Shetty has consistently denied undergoing any cosmetic surgery (IBTimes). Rumors of a nose job and breast augmentation have circulated since the early 2000s, but no credible medical evidence supports these claims.

• In a 2018 interview, Shetty said: “I have not gone under the knife. I believe in natural beauty.”
• The rumors persist largely because of her youthful appearance at 49.

For the Bollywood-watching public, the choice is clear: either accept Shetty’s denials at face value, or demand evidence. In the absence of proof, the default should be the subject’s own word — not tabloid speculation.

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