A beaming smile.

An hourglass figure.

A never say die attitude.

Make way for Shilpa Shetty.

Raised in a typical, traditional Shetty family, Shilpa led a protected and sheltered life. It was during her teen years that she expressed a desire to pursue a career in modelling.

A brief stint in modelling was followed by an inevitable entry into films.

Initially signed to do a film called Gaata Rahen Mera Dil, which never saw the light of the day, Shilpa bagged the second lead in Venus Films' Baazigar opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Her short yet well-conceived role made an impact.

Unlike most newcomers, Shilpa did not sign too many films in a hurry. Instead she signed films like Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Aag, Hathkadi and Aao Pyar Karen where she had a considerable role to speak of.

Unfortunately for her, except a stray Main Khiladi Tu Anari, all of them were damp squibs at the BO. Meanwhile, Shilpa started working in films down south, which did decent business.

However, her shabby make-up, unruly hairstyle and loud sense of dressing got the leggy lass a lot of flak. She was also accused of imitating Sridevi in a obvious manner.

Taking all the criticism in her stride, Shilpa decided to strike back in vengeance and how.

A relatively forgotten film Prithvi, opposite fellow Shetty -- Sunil, saw the first few glimpses of Shilpa's transition.

Her wardrobe was trendy and hip. Nothing like the gaudy stuff she adorned earlier.

Yet there was a dearth of hits at the BO and Shilpa was soon in danger of disappearing into oblivion.

She decided to make her dancing skills her forte. Enter Aila re (Jung), Dupatte ka pallu (Tarkeib) and UP, Bihar lootne (Shool) and Shilpa was back in the game.

But it was Dharmesh Darshan's Dhadkan that did the trick for Shilpa. Needles to say she was a revelation in the film.

A welcome change from her long gone dreary days. Be it her enhanced make up, sophisticated dressing sense or a balanced and toned performance, Shilpa finally got it right this time.

Currently the lovely actress is keeping her fingers crossed for biggies like Indian (Sunny Deol), Chor Machaye Shor (Bobby Deol), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (Salman Khan) and Badhai Ho Badhai (Anil Kapoor).

The making of Shilpa Shetty

Text: Sukanya Verma