Bani J was born Gurbani Judge on November 29, 1987, in Chandigarh. The model-actress-television presenter wasn't the shredded fitness diva that she is now. (All pictures: Gurbani Judge's Instagram account)

Pictured: Bani J (wearing a hat) with her mother Tanya, and elder sister Saneya, with whom she's extremely close

Around the time Bani J entered showbiz through the reality show MTV Roadies, she was just another girl-next-door, albeit a bit bolder and more tomboyish. She was very new to the world of entertainment -- but she proved her mettle when she became the first runner-up in Roadies Season 4. 

Pictured: Bani J as a contestant on Roadies 4

Post Roadies 4, Bani J continued her association with the show and the channel and hosted season 6 and 7, and 9 to 12. More than Gurbani or Bani J, her fans know and love her as VJ Bani. 

Pictured: With Roadies host Rannvijay Singha

Besides her reality show stints like Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 4 and Bigg Boss 10, Bani was also seen in the Telugu film, Thikka. Bani also appeared in the video of Aap Kaa Surroor as Hansika Motwani's friend, and more recently in the 2018 film Ishqeria.

Pictured: Bani J shows off her ripped physique

Remember the time when Bani J was a skinny youngster? Well, not anymore. Bani is a fitness model now who associates with fitness and sports brands regularly. With tattoos all over her body and her perfect washboard abs, Bani is the picture of excellent health and fitness.

Of course, she, too, had to go through a ton of struggle to get where she is today. Talking about body shaming towards celebrities, Bani said in a chat with IANS, "It all started from media, beauty magazines back in the year 2000 where people started the constant talk of how to get flawless body and skin using certain beauty product. Fashion magazine, beauty magazine started promoting the whole thing and the unrealistic desire of getting perfect body (sic)!"

"It was a marketing gimmick that we all bought into... And that practice has become constant," added the former video jockey.

Pictured: With her ex-boyfriend, Bade Achhe Lagte Hain fame actor, Yuvraj Thakur. There was speculation recently that the two were together again

From a skinny girl to a shredded diva, Bani J has come a long way. While she was constantly criticised for her physique when she was younger, she is criticised now as well. Does that affect her in any way? Bani J said in the same interview, "Well, I would say that people tried to humiliate me but they could not succeed because I do not care... Why should I care about the comments of people who do not know how physical training and weight lifting helped me to grow stronger mentally, physically and spiritually? They don't know anything."

In a previous chat with mid-day, Bani spoke about how women need to 'unlabel' themselves. She said, "I tell everyone this, especially women -- you can't fit into a slot, and you shouldn't try it. The biggest label [you carry] anyway is "woman". How does it [gender] matter? Whether it's work, your body or sexuality, refuse to get labelled."

Pictured: With her dog Patch

Speaking about her relationship with food, Bani told mid-day, "I consume whole ingredients, which refer to items that have nothing added to them. Eggs, sweet potatoes and rice are whole foods. Bread, on the other hand, has added elements. I have more than 370gms of carbohydrates a day. My body blossoms with white rice. I am against the idea of removing a food group from my diet."

While she was BFFs with another Bigg Boss inmate, Gauahar Khan, there was news of a fallout between them. Bani had deleted snaps of Gauahar from her social media and unfollowed her on Instagram, and vice versa. It was Gauahar, however, who compelled Bani to participate in Bigg Boss. 

Pictured: With friends Sapna Moti Bhavnani and Kunal Thakur

"I had been rejecting offers from Bigg Boss for a few seasons. I thought I couldn't do it. It was Gauahar who convinced me otherwise. And from the day I signed the contract, I had no doubt in my mind that I would win," Bani said in a chat with mid-day.

Bani J truly believes in working out. It may have started as a way to shut naysayers, but it has become an important part of her life now. She shares, "Working out is like meditation. It keeps me grounded. It helps me rid myself of negativity. I used to train every day in the (Bigg Boss) house because it was the only way I could ignore the mess around. It's hard to be in a restricted space with so much negative energy. You need to find your peace."

Pictured: With renowned trainer and nutritionist Kris Gethin

Bani J was recently seen in seasons 1 and 2 of the Amazon Prime Video web series, Four More Shots Please! The show revolved around the exciting journey of four modern, young women, played by Gurbani Judge, Maanvi Gagroo, Kirti Kulhari, and Sayani Gupta.

Pictured: With her Four More Shots Please co-stars

Here's wishing the amazing Gurbani Judge a very happy birthday!