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Last edited January 12, 2026

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Girija Shettar
Girija Shettar
Shettar in 2013
Born
1969-7-20 (age 57)
Orsett, Essex, England


Occupation
Actress
Journalist
Years active
1989 – 2003, 2024 – present



Girija Shettar (born 20 July 1969)[1] is a British actress, known for her works in South Indian films.[2]

Career

In 1989, Shettar starred in Mani Ratnam's Telugu film Geethanjali and Malayalam film Vandanam, directed by Priyadarshan.

In 1992, she signed for the lead female role in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, which she left mid-way to complete a prior commitment. Ayesha Julka replaced her after the first schedule. She can still be seen dancing in the song "Are Yaaro" which was retained in the final version of the film. [3]

In the same year, she starred in another Telugu film Hrudayanjali, under the direction of A. Raghurami Reddy, which won four state Nandi Awards.Template:Citation needed The film was completed in 1992 but was released only in 2002.[4]

Personal life

Girija Shettar was born on 20 July 1969 in Orsett, Essex to a Kannadiga doctor father and a British mother. From the age of 18, Girija trained in Bharatanatyam. She completed a doctoral thesis in Integral Yoga Philosophy and Indian spiritual psychology from Cardiff University in 2003. She spends as much time as possible at Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry.[5] Girija is currently a writer based in London. Previously working for a medical technology newsletter, she is now writing for a shipping magazine.[6] A booklet of haiku poetry entitled "This Year, Daffodils" was published by Survivors' Poetry and the Esmee Fairburn Foundation, 2011. In 2014, she won Social Media Journalist of the Year as senior reporter for IHS Maritime Fairplay at Seahorse Journalist Awards, London.[7]

After the release of Geethanjali,[8] she appeared on the front page of Screen (magazine), India 30 June 1989 issue.[9] In 2002, Geethanjali was one of five films shown at the British Film Institute during a retrospective of Mani Ratnam's work. The films were chosen as examples of strong heroine roles in Indian films.

Filmography

Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Template:Tooltip
1989 Geethanjali Geethanjali Telugu Telugu Debut
Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
[10]
Vandanam Gaadha Fernandes Malayalam Malayalam Debut [11]
Dhanushkodi Girija Unreleased [12]
1992 Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar Hindi Special appearance in song "Arre Yaaron Mere Pyaaron" [13]
2002 Hrudayanjali Maya Telugu Filming completed in 1992, but released in 2002 [14]
2003 Tujhe Meri Kasam Herself Hindi Cameo appearance [15]
2024 Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali Madhumitha Kannada [16]

References

  1. Girija Shettar – TV9 Anveshana Interview
  2. Latest News – Memoirs of film actress Girija Shettar Part III. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  3. Did you know: Before Ayesha Jhulka, this actress had shot as the female lead for 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar'(22 May 2021).
  4. Yellow Pages: Film Marketing. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  5. A Journal of Integral studies – February 2005 – Sri Aurobindo .... Theuniversityoftomorrow. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  6. Girija Shettar. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  7. Seahorse Journalist Awards 2014. The Loadstar(11 December 2014). Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  8. Geethanjali Girija with Tv9 – Exclusive – YouTube
  9. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema, by Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen, page 450.
  10. I used to dream about the possibility of a sequel to Geetanjali: Girija Shettar. The Indian Express(12 September 2017). Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  11. This is what Vandanam's Gadha looks like now!. Malayala Manorama(11 September 2017). Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  12. The Silver Screen Jinx(5 March 2012). Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  13. Love at first song. Bangalore Mirror(15 May 2015). Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  14. lacks soul, Srihari, Gudipoodi.
  15. Smrity Sharma, 'Riteish behind CM-dad's resignation? Template:Webarchive', India Times Movies 2 December 2008.
  16. Yesteryear Actor Girija Shettar Returns To The Big Screen For A Kannada Film. The Times of India. Retrieved 31 August 2024.

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