Shweta Tiwari holi with Sony TV in Malad

Shweta Tiwari (born 4 October 1980 in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India) is an Indian film and television actress. She gained popularity for her role of Prerna in Balaji Telefilms's television serial Kasautii Zindagii Kay that used to be aired on an Indian television channel STAR Plus. She is the winner of the fourth season of the reality television show Bigg Boss.

Career

While playing Khoobsoorat Bahu V on stage, Shweta got noticed by a well-known director[who?] and started her acting career in 1999 with Kaleerein.She shot to fame for her role of Prerna in the television serial Kasautii Zindagii Kay. She has done several advertisements, dance shows, plays and cameos in other television serials. Some of her other popular television serials include Aane Wala Pal, Karam, Kahin Kissi Roz, Kya Hadsa Kya Haqeeqat, Rishtey, Daddy Samjha Karo, Dost, Yatra, Naaginn and Ajeeb.

She is also active in Bollywood and Bhojpuri cinema and has played supporting roles in Madhoshi (2004), Abrakadabra and Benny And Babloo (2010). She appeared in the Bhojpuri film Hamar Sayian Hindustani along with her ex-husband Raja Chaudhary.

In 2008, she was seen as one of the judges on the 'Star Plus' reality dance show Aajaa Mahi Vay.She also took part in the reality show Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao, where she faced controversy over her shower in the jungle. She is also a producer and is producing television serials and films.

On 8 January 2011, Shweta won the Indian television reality show, Bigg Boss 4 defeating Ashmit Patel, The Great Khali and Dolly Bindra in the finals. She was the first female contestant to win the show. She won Indian Rupee 1 crore as prize money.

Personal life

Shweta Tiwari is the daughter of Nirmala and Ashok Tiwari. She was brought up in Mumbai and completed her education from the St. Isabel Girls School in Mumbai. She studied for her bachelor's degree at Burhanis College, Mazgaon, Mumbai. She has a younger brother, Nidhaan.

In 1998, at the age of 18, Shweta married actor Raja Chaudhary. They divorced nine years later.The couple have a daughter named Palak.