Deepal Shaw

21 Feb, 1986 | Mumbai

Actress

Biography

Deepal Shaw , more commonly known as Baby Doll, is an Indian actress, model, and singer who also acted in Bollywood movies. Early Life Shaw was born and raised in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to parents originally from Uttar Pradesh. She studied in D.P.Y.A. High School, Dadar. Her mother was born in Lucknow, while her father was born in Ayodhya. She has a younger brother. As a child, her parents encouraged her to sing, first giving her lessons when she was only six years old. She attended St. Xavier's College, where she pursued a BA in Psychology. Music Career Shaw began her career as a model, taking part in the 2004 Miss India beauty pageant, advancing to the final round before being cut. After this setback, she rededicated herself to striving for success in the Indian entertainment industry, beginning a career as a singer. She released her first album (entitled Baby Doll, after her adopted stage name) in 2004. She followed up her strong debut with Baby Doll Chapter 2, featuring many hit remixes such as "Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar" and "Rangeela Re". Her music consisted mainly of modernized remixes of old Hindi songs, entailing a very bass-heavy sound with some hip hop elements. She was on Saregama India Records. MTV India had largely been responsible for promoting her music by playing her sexy and extremely popular music videos. Film Career Riding the waves of her burgeoning music career, Shaw decided to parlay her success into a career in Bollywood. She signed on to act in Hriday Shetty's Daag - The Shades of Love. However, the project was shelved shortly thereafter. She made her acting debut in Mahesh Bhatt's controversial Kalyug, opposite Emraan Hashmi and fellow-newcomer Kunal Khemu. Portraying a porn star, Shaw's first role was generally appreciated by critics. In December 2005, she finished filming on her second venture, Karma, Confessions and Holi, directed by Manish Gupta. The international, English-language film also starred Sushmita Sen, Randeep Hooda, and Naomi Campbell.