Starting With The Spouse

Who Is Devoleena Bhattacharjee’s Husband?

When popular Indian television actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee surprised the nation with an impromptu wedding in December 2022, fans were left searching for one name: Shanwaz Shaikh — the mystery man who had captured Gopi Bahu’s heart. Shanwaz is a professional fitness trainer and gym instructor based in Mumbai who counts several television celebrities among his clients. While he prefers life outside the spotlight, his marriage to one of India’s most recognisable TV faces has made him a household name.

Shanwaz first entered Devoleena’s life in a professional capacity. The actress had been recovering from a spinal injury and turned to Shanwaz for expert fitness guidance. What began as a trainer-client relationship gradually blossomed into a deep romantic bond that they guarded carefully from the public eye for years. When the wedding photos finally hit Instagram in December 2022, fans were stunned — many had been convinced Devoleena’s best friend and co-star Vishal Singh was the groom, given his prominent presence at the pre-wedding ceremonies.

The Big Day

Wedding Details: Devoleena & Shanwaz’s Intimate Ceremony

The wedding of Devoleena Bhattacharjee and Shanwaz Shaikh was the epitome of an intimate, surprise celebrity nuptials. Conducted as a court marriage on December 14, 2022, in the scenic hill town of Lonavala, Maharashtra, the ceremony was deliberately kept under wraps until Devoleena posted her bridal photographs on Instagram later that day. The announcement sent the internet into a frenzy.

The actress appeared as a breathtaking bride, draped in a vibrant red silk saree adorned with a full-sleeved blouse and complemented by traditional gold jewellery — a timeless bridal look that paid homage to her Bengali-Assamese heritage. Shanwaz was every bit the dashing groom in a sharp three-piece jet-black suit, cutting a refined figure by his bride’s side.

The pre-wedding rituals — the haldi (turmeric) and mehndi (henna) ceremonies — took place a day before the wedding and were attended only by a handful of close friends. Devoleena’s co-star and long-time best friend Vishal Singh (who played Jigar in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya) and actress Bhavini Purohit Dave were among the small guest list. Because Vishal Singh was seen so prominently in the pre-wedding festivities, fans initially assumed he was the groom, leading to widespread speculation.

The wedding was an interfaith union, as Devoleena comes from a Bengali Hindu family and Shanwaz is Muslim — a fact that attracted both admiration and controversy. Notably, Devoleena’s brother Andeep Bhattacharjee was initially opposed to the marriage and did not attend the wedding. However, with time, familial bonds won out and the siblings reconciled.

Despite the initial surprise and some public negativity, Devoleena remained firm and proud of her choice. Responding to trolls who speculated that she married suddenly due to pregnancy, the actress replied that she owed no explanations to anyone. The couple’s first Christmas together was celebrated warmly and documented on social media, showing Devoleena, Shanwaz, and her mother Anima Bhattacharjee in a joyful domestic setting.

Love Story Chronology

Devoleena & Shanwaz: Relationship Timeline

The love story between Devoleena Bhattacharjee and Shanwaz Shaikh is one of quiet patience and genuine connection, built over years far from the glare of cameras. Here is how their journey unfolded:

Full Biography

Devoleena Bhattacharjee: Complete Biography

Early Life & Family Background

Devoleena Bhattacharjee was born on August 22, 1985, in Sivasagar, Assam, India, into a Bengali-Assamese Hindu family. Her childhood was shaped early by hardship: her father, who worked as an employee of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), passed away in 1997, leaving Devoleena at just around 12 years of age. Her mother, Anima Bhattacharjee, a homemaker, raised Devoleena and her younger brother Andeep Bhattacharjee single-handedly — a testament to the resilience that would later define Devoleena’s own career.

Growing up in Sivasagar, Devoleena discovered her twin passions early: classical dance and performing arts. She began learning Bharatanatyam at a very young age, eventually becoming a highly trained and accomplished dancer in this South Indian classical form. She also began learning classical music at the age of six, building a rich artistic foundation.

Education

Devoleena completed her schooling at Godhula Brown Memorial English High School in Sivasagar, Assam, where she excelled in both academics and cultural activities. She later relocated to New Delhi to pursue higher education at the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, where she studied Jewellery Designing alongside a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Her academic background in design and fashion would later contribute to her versatility as a professional.

During her time in Delhi, Devoleena also won a Best Actress Award for her performance in the stage play Maya at the Sangeet Natak Academy’s youth festival — an early signal of exceptional performing talent that would eventually carry her to national stardom.

Career: From Jewellery Designer to TV Superstar

After completing her education, Devoleena moved to Mumbai and initially worked as a jewellery designer at Gili India Ltd. — one of India’s most respected jewellery brands. It was a stable, creative profession, but the lure of the performing arts was too strong to resist. She began auditioning for television and reality shows, seeking her big break.

Her first brush with national exposure came when she auditioned for Dance India Dance Season 2 on Zee TV — a prominent dance reality show judged by Remo D’Souza, Terence Lewis, and Geeta Kapoor. Although she was eliminated after approximately two weeks, her talent left an impression and her confidence in Mumbai’s competitive entertainment world grew.

In 2011, Devoleena landed her first television acting role in the NDTV Imagine serial Sawaare Sabke Sapne… Preeto, playing the supporting character Gurbaani (Baani) Kaur Dhillon. The role gave her a foothold in the industry.

Her career-defining moment arrived in June 2012 when she was cast to replace actress Giaa Manek as Gopi Ahem Modi (Gopi Bahu) in StarPlus’s massively popular serial Saath Nibhaana Saathiya. The show, produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, had a devoted viewership, and the transition was not without turbulence — initial audience backlash was considerable as fans mourned the original actress. However, Devoleena’s commitment and natural screen presence gradually won over the masses. She portrayed Gopi Bahu for over five years (appearing in more than 2,000 episodes) and became synonymous with the character, earning her multiple awards including Best Actress and Favourite Bahu recognitions.

Following Saath Nibhaana Saathiya’s conclusion, Devoleena continued to build her TV portfolio with appearances in shows including Kundali Bhagya (Zee TV, 2019), Laal Ishq (2018), and guest appearances on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Diya Aur Baati Hum, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, and Kumkum Bhagya.

Devoleena reprised her iconic role as Gopi Modi in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2 (2020–2021) and again in a celebratory arc in June 2022 marking the show’s 10th anniversary. In September 2023, she joined Sony SAB’s popular drama Dil Diyaan Gallaan as the character Disha. In July 2024, she signed on to portray the Goddess Chhathi Maiyya in Sun Neo’s Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya before stepping back due to pregnancy in October 2024. She also appeared in the 2024 film Bengal 1947 and the 2025 film Tiger of Rajasthan – TOR.

Reality Show Appearances: The Bigg Boss Trilogy

Devoleena has had one of the most remarkable Bigg Boss journeys of any Indian TV personality, having appeared across three different seasons:

Her three-season Bigg Boss run placed her in exclusive company alongside Rakhi Sawant and Rahul Mahajan as contestants who appeared in three different seasons of the show.

Social Media Presence

Devoleena Bhattacharjee is highly active on social media, where she commands a substantial following. Her Instagram account — @devoleena — has amassed over 3.7 million followers as of 2025–2026, where she shares personal moments, professional updates, fitness content, travel posts, and heartfelt family glimpses. Post-motherhood, her content has naturally evolved to include her son and family life, drawing significant emotional engagement from fans.

She also maintains a presence on YouTube, where her channel features vlogs, behind-the-scenes content, and lifestyle videos. Her social platforms serve as both a personal diary and a professional asset for brand collaborations.

Brand Collaborations & Endorsements

As a well-established TV face with a large and loyal following, Devoleena Bhattacharjee has collaborated with numerous brands across fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle verticals. While the specific exhaustive list of her brand deals remains private, she has been associated with endorsements in the jewellery, fitness, and personal care categories — all organic extensions of her public persona. Her fitness journey, shared openly on Instagram, makes her a credible voice for health and wellness brands, while her on-screen elegance has made her a natural fit for fashion and jewellery endorsements.

Post-marriage and post-pregnancy, her audience profile has broadened to include young married women and new mothers, making her an even more versatile brand partner in 2025–2026.

Net Worth

Devoleena Bhattacharjee’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹5 crore to ₹40 crore (USD $1 million – $5 million), with various sources placing different valuations depending on the income streams considered. Her wealth is derived from multiple channels:

Latest 2026 Updates

As of early 2026, Devoleena Bhattacharjee is navigating the joyful and demanding chapter of early motherhood. Her son, born in December 2024, has become the centre of her world, and fans follow her parenting journey with deep affection. The couple — Devoleena and Shanwaz — continue to reside in Gurugram alongside her mother Anima Bhattacharjee, who has been a vital pillar of support.

On the professional front, Devoleena is actively exploring her return to television and film. Her appearance in the 2025 film Tiger of Rajasthan – TOR demonstrated her commitment to staying active in the industry even while managing her personal life. Rumours of upcoming television projects are circulating in entertainment circles, with fans eagerly anticipating her full-fledged return to prime-time Indian TV.

Her social media presence remains robust, with brand deals and collaborations continuing to keep her commercially active. The actress has increasingly used her platform to speak on topics of motherhood, inter-faith relationships, and the realities of working women in India’s entertainment industry.

At A Glance

Devoleena Bhattacharjee: Quick Facts Table

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs: Devoleena Bhattacharjee Husband & Personal Life