The Bollywood actress had survived the racial jibes from fellow contestants Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd to win the reality TV show. The insults, which saw Shetty referred to as "Shilpa Poppadom", sparked an international incident which cost Goody her celebrity status and Lloyd her footballer boyfriend.

In the end, even Tony Blair got involved in an attempt to defuse the row, which threatened to get out of control. And last week, media watchdog Ofcom ruled Channel 4 was guilty of "serious editorial misjudgment" over its handling of the racism row, and ordered the broadcaster to make a series of on-air apologies during the new series of Big Brother starting tonight.

Through it all, Shetty kept her dignity – which only made those around her look more ignorant. It is ironic that the biggest winner from the whole affair is Shilpa Shetty herself.

Since the Big Brother debacle, she has had scores of marriage proposals and been offered lucrative deals, including a Broadway musical and, even more ironically, her own perfume. Many stores withdrew Jade Goody's scent after the race allegations.

"I do not regret anything," says Shilpa of her decision to take part in the Channel 4 reality TV show. "My philosophy on life is to have no regrets. I truly believe that everything has a purpose and Big Brother was part of my destiny.

"At the time I went with the flow, but what has come out of it is so positive. I have been surprised and overwhelmed by the British public's reaction to me. People have been so kind, and it made me realise that the British public is very fair."

When I spoke to her, the 31-year-old actress was preparing to fly to Britain where she is taking part in the International Indian Film Academy Awards being held in Sheffield next week. Shilpa will be starting a celebrity cricket match between a Yorkshire team and an IIFA team at Headingley, and performing at the awards ceremony, nicknamed the Bollywood Oscars, at the Sheffield Hallam FM Arena.

There will also be a preview of her new film Apne, in which she stars with Bollywood dynasty, the Deol family.

Shetty has had a mixed Bollywood career. Starring in her first movie at the age of 17, she had a series of box office flops.

"I loved cinema as a child," she says. "But my upbringing was quite austere and we were only allowed to watch a few movies and television programmes."

Shilpa's parents, Surendra and Sunanda, were themselves former models, but Shilpa and her sister Shamita had a strict upbringing. They had a privileged family life, as her father was also a successful businessman. The girls went to a good school, did well, learned several languages. But neither wanted to follow their father into the family business.

"I would have made a terrible businesswoman," says Shilpa. "I never wanted to be an actress either. I was more interested in modelling, although I don't think I am great looking. I think I have that 'girl next door appeal'."

Rumour has it that Shetty went under the knife to change the shape of her nose.

Shilpa dismisses reports that her parents, particularly her mother, are a controlling influence.

"They have always supported and encouraged me and that is why I am where I am. When I told my father what I wanted to do he said, 'Only if you continue with your education'. And that was very good advice."

But she had a mixed start to her career. Flops were followed by hits and then further flops. She has starred in more than 50 movies.

Despite the mixed success of her films, Shetty invariably got good reviews. But it was her performance in Revathy's Phir Milenge which changed the critics' view of her.

The film dealt with the HIV/Aids issue – India has one of the highest rates of Aids in the world – and Shilpa's character was HIV positive. She received rave reviews and plaudits. It was while playing this character that Shilpa became involved with Aids charities.

"HIV and Aids is a huge issue and people listen to celebrities. My job carries a big responsibility and it is important to raise awareness of this issue."

It was during such an awareness event, this time among New Delhi's truck drivers, that Shetty once again hit the headlines.

During the rally, fellow celebrity Richard Gere caused outrage when he kissed Shilpa first on the hand and then on the cheek. Public displays of affection and sex are still largely taboo in India.

Protesters said his embrace of one of the country's leading ladies had been "vulgar" and demanded an apology from the film star. Gere did later apologise, saying he did not fully understand their culture, but not before there was a warrant issued for his arrest, and an order for Shetty not to leave India.

Shetty downplayed the incident, saying "it was not so obscene", and she believes that extremists were hijacking India's laws for their own ends. The courts have now suspended the case, pending a decision by the High Court, meaning she can now leave the country.

"Our laws were being taken advantage of," she says. "Laws have to be taken seriously but not so that we become regressive. India is changing. Being progressive is a good thing and we can change while maintaining our traditional values."

It is again ironic that as Shilpa's star is rising in the UK and beyond, it has been diminished somewhat at home by "that kiss".

But she seems undaunted. She spends much of her time travelling and has not ruled out the possibility of buying a house in London.

"I still call Bombay (where she lives with her parents) my home, but at the moment my suitcase is my home," she says.

So what does the future hold for Shilpa Shetty?

"Apne is out at the end of June and I am launching my perfume in July and then working on the Broadway musical. There's a lot on my plate. And I am looking forward to having my own family. That's something that every woman wants and I am no different.

"But first I have to find the right man to be father to my kids."