Born on August 13, 1979, Kamya Punjabi started her career in showbiz by appearing in music videos, cameos in Bollywood films and modelling. (All pictures courtesy/Kamya Panjabi's official Instagram account)

Kamya's television career started in 2001. She appeared in one of the most popular shows - horror-thriller Ssshhhh... Koi Hai's - Shart episode. She later appeared in shows such as Kehta Hai Dil (2002), Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr (2002) and Piya Ka Ghar (2002).

But before stepping into the television industry, Kamya Punjabi played a small role in the 2000 release Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, starring Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel. Kamya had a blink-and-miss role, as the girl who taunts Ameesha on the cruise ship.

However, even before that, Kamya Punjabi first faced the camera in 1997. Kamya's maiden music venture was the 'Mehndi Mehndi' song. She even featured in the popular music video 'Kala Shah Kala' by Anamika. In picture: Kamya Punjabi with her daughter Aara.

After a true struggle to get noticed in showbiz, Kamya Punjabi finally started bagging multiple projects from the television industry.

Kamya Punjabi was part of TV shows such as Kehta Hai Dil, Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr, Piya Ka Ghar, Kammal, Astitva... Ek Prem Kahani, Reth, Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki, Banoo Main Teri Dulhann, Amber Dhara, Jeet Jayenge Hum, Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak?, Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi, Do Dil Ek Jaan and the latest one being Shakti — Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki.

Kamya Punjabi, who mostly played negative roles in TV shows, also participated in one of the most controversial reality shows - Bigg Boss. She was part of Bigg Boss - Season 7 and got evicted on Day 91.

Kamya Punjabi had once confessed that she is interested in becoming a politician. Her reason to join politics is even stronger as she stated that she wants to put an end to harassment against women in the country. In picture: Kamya Punjabi with Vikas Gupta.

"I want to be in politics as I feel politics is not a bad career choice. It is one of the most challenging and hardworking career options which not only tests one's strength but also the person's personality," Kamya said. In picture: Kamya Punjabi with designer Rohit Verma.

"I want to bring harassment against women to an end. Women are born to live a greater life. I don't want to see anyone being a victim to their family, society or anyone. They need to live life fearlessly," she added. She wants to encourage women to fight for their rights. If she joins politics, she says she will make the environment "so women-friendly that people will think before harassing a woman". In picture: Kamya Punjabi with Karan Wahi.

On the personal front, Kamya Punjabi married businessman Bunty Negi in 2003. The couple, however, parted ways and got divorced in 2013. Kamya Panjabi has a daughter - Aara, whom she has raised alone since her divorce.

As a single mother, then, Kamya always wanted people to treat her and any other single and divorced mother with dignity. She said: "No matter how much advance and modern we have become, there is still backward thinking prevailing in our society. Women are still discriminated against, especially the divorced single mothers." In picture: Kamya Punjabi with her sister Mala Punjabi.

"On the face, they will say 'Oh, you are such strong lady, you are doing so good for your child', but behind our backs they don't even accept us. They would not even want a divorced single mother for their son, who might himself be also a divorcee. I agree things have changed, but acceptance is still a long mile ahead," said Kamya. In picture: Kamya with her daughter Aara!

Kamya Punjabi found love again in 2019. She married businessman Shalabh Dang, who belongs to the healthcare industry, based in Delhi.

Kamya Punjabi had contacted Shalabh in February 2019 when a friend told her to consult him about some health woes that she was facing. The duo got chatting and in a month-and-a-half, he proposed marriage. 

Tying the knot again was a huge deal for Kamya and hence, she took her time to think about her second marriage. Following a failed marriage and a few heartbreaks, Kamya had almost turned averse to the idea of falling in love and tying the knot.

However, Shalabh made Kamya believe in love and the institution of marriage again. In one of her interviews, Kamya confessed that she is like a 16-year-old girl now, madly in love with Shalabh.

Kamya is now living happily with her husband Shalabh Dang in Delhi. She is now a mother of two kids - her daughter Aara and Shalabh's son Ishan.

One big happy family! Isn't this picture super adorable?

You are a rockstar Kamya, more power to you! Here's wishing you a very happy birthday!