Dayanand Shetty

Biography:

Dayanand Shetty is an Indian actor and model renowned for his portrayal of Senior Inspector Daya in India’s longest-running TV police procedural, CID. In 2018, he was honored with induction into the Gold Awards Hall of Fame. Originally a sportsman, Shetty transitioned to acting following a leg injury; he had previously excelled in shot put and discus throwing, earning numerous accolades.

He was cast as a CID officer in 1998. One of the show’s most iconic lines is ACP Pradyuman’s command, “Daya, break the door,” which became so popular it was featured in the film Singham Returns. Shetty has appeared in TV commercials, plays, and films, including Johnny Gaddaar, Runway, and Singham Returns. He also participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Season 4), dance reality show.

Born on December 11, 1969, in a Tulu-speaking Bunt family in Udupi district, Karnataka, to Chandra Prakash and Uma Shetty, he has two sisters, Naina and Sandhya. He completed his B.Com from Rizvi College in Bandra, Mumbai. Shetty is married to Smitha Shetty, and they have a daughter named Viva Shetty.