Shweta Shetty is a German pop singer, songwriter, and yoga instructor of Indian descent who is known for singing popular Hindi songs such as “Deewane To Deewane Hain” from the music album ‘Johnny Jokers’ (1993), “Rukmani Rukmani” from the Hindi film ‘Roja’ (1992) and “Tote Tote Ho Gaya” from the Hindi film ‘Bichhoo’ (2000).
Wiki/Biography
Shweta Shetty was born on Friday, 20 June 1969 (age 46 years; as of 2022) in Mumbai. Her zodiac sign is Gemini. At the age of 14, she started her training in Indian classical music. Gradually, she started her training in other music genres like pop and soul. While she was studying in college, she performed in various theatre plays along with her classmates Raell Padamsee, Pearl Padamsee, and Shiamak Davar.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Brown
Family
Shweta belongs to a South Indian family.
Parents & Siblings
Her father’s name is Mahalaba Rampa Shetty. Her parents were separated. Shweta has three sisters named Renuka Shetty, Vinata Shetty, and Jyoti Shetty.
Shweta Shetty with her father
Husband & Children
In 1996, while she was attending Cannes Advertising Film Festival, she met a German boy named Clemens Brandt. Initially, they became friends and soon, fell in love with each other. After dating for a few months, the couple got married in April 1997. After her marriage, she shifted from India to Germany and took a break from the Hindi music industry. However, within five years of their marriage, the couple got divorced.
Shweta Shetty’s wedding picture
Other Relatives
The Indian actresses Shilpa Shetty and Shamita Shetty are her cousins from her father’s side.
Religion
Shweta Shetty follows Hinduism.
Signature
Shweta Shetty’s signature
Career
Playback Singer
At the beginning of her career, she used to sing for TV ad jingles and fashion shows. Shweta made her Bollywood debut as a playback singer with the song “Rukmani Rukmani” from the film ‘Roja.’
Rukmani Rukmani song
She has lent her voice to many Hindi films such as ‘Rangeela’ (1995), ‘Udaan’ (1997), ‘Bandhan’ (1998), and ‘Ragini MMS’ (2011). In 2000, Shweta, along with Hans Raj Hans, lent their voices to the song “Dil Tote Tote Ho Gaya” from the Hindi film ‘Bichhoo,’ which became very popular.
Dil Tote Tote Ho Gaya
Music Album
In 1990, Shweta made her debut as a singer with the Hindi music album ‘Shweta – The Album.’ In 1991, her music album ‘Lambada’ was released. However, she came into the limelight with her 1993 Hindi music album ‘Johnny Joker.’ Some of the songs released in the album are “Aaja Naye,” “Mr. Gentleman,” “Pyaar Hai,” and “Main Khoi Jaane.”
Johnny Joker music album
Shweta’s 1995 Hindi music album ‘Shweta – The New Album and Other Hits’ was released in three countries. The tracks in the album were composed by Salim–Sulaiman, A. R. Rahman, Biddu, and Jawahar Wattal. In 2003, her Hindi music album ‘Saajna’ was released in more than 10 countries.
Saajna music album
Singles
Shweta has lent her voice to many Hindi singles such as ‘Deewane To Deewane Hain’ (1997), ‘Main Teri Good Luck Mundeya’ (2000), ‘Daro Na’ (2020), and ‘Jalne Mein Hain Mazaa’ (2021).
Deewane To Deewane Hain
Director
In 2011, she worked as a co-director in the short English film ‘Psyche.’
Psyche (2011)
Yoga Trainer
After her divorce, she started a yoga and meditation studio named ‘Shwetasana.’
Shweta Shetty doing yoga
Other Work
Shweta has also worked as a model. She has performed live at various stage shows and events in India and other countries.
Shweta Shetty while giving a stage performance
She once did a music tour with the renowned American classical singer Sarah Brightman. She has also worked with the German electronic music duo Jam & Spoon.
Controversy
Accused of Torturing Her Father for Property
In 2015, after her divorce, she came to India and moved to her parents’ house, where her father was living alone after her mother’s demise. According to her father, within a few months, Shweta started ill-treating him. According to her father’s complaint, Shweta demanded her share in her father’s property and even fought with the two maids, who were taking care of her father for more than 26 years. After the Welfare Tribunal and Deputy Collector of Mumbai evicted her from her father’s flat, she filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the Welfare Tribunal and Deputy Collector’s order. After a few hearings, the Bombay High Court released an order, which reads,
Till the father is alive, the singer has no right to claim share in his property. Shweta demands her share. What is her ‘share’ while he is alive? She has none. He (father) may indeed give his flat and all wealth away inter vivos. That is his choice. She cannot prevent him from doing so. So long as he is alive, Shweta has no ‘share’ in his property. In case after case, we have complaints from senior citizens that their own sons and daughters are harassing them. In every case, the harassment is an attempt to somehow grab the senior citizen’s property in his or her lifetime without a thought spared to the mental or physical health, well-being or happiness of these seniors.”
Facts/Trivia
- In 1997, after her marriage, she met with a major car accident and was bedridden for a few months. In an interview, she shared that after the accident, she went into depression. She said,
Back in India I was at the top of my game and suddenly I found myself stuck in the bed in a foreign country where no one knew me and I knew no one. I didn’t know the language, Germans are not known to be very friendly, and I didn’t have my music, which was my life till that point. I plunged into a serious depression and it lasted for almost a year.”
- In 1998, she received Screen Award for Best Female Pop Artist for her song “Deewane To Deewane Hain.”
- In an interview, she shared that her best experience as a singer was working with the Indian musician A. R. Rahman.
- Shweta once revealed that she was banned from the Hindi music industry and only her few friends knew about it. In an interview, while talking about it, she said,
I maybe not be man, but because I am a woman you cannot treat me like that. I will not accept it. It was something that I stood for and I got punished. I didn’t kill or hurt anyone I didn’t take someone’s money or wealth, nor did I bad-mouthed anyone. I had just stated my point of view. Imposing a lifelong ban on an artiste for something so inconsequential and so small? I just call it being unfair. I have never spoken about how I was banned from Bollywood in the last 20 years.”
- In 2019, she received the Women’s Achievers Award.
Shweta Shetty holding her Women’s Achievers Award
- She follows a non-vegetarian diet.
Shweta Shetty’s Instagram post
- Shweta is often spotted consuming alcohol at parties and events.
Shweta Shetty holding a glass of alcohol
- She has been featured on the cover of a few magazines like Cuisine.
Shweta Shetty featured on a magazine cover
- She is an avid animal lover, and she has shared a few pictures of her with a horse on her Instagram account.
Shweta Shetty with a horse