Born in 1960 in a Sindhi-Hindu family in Bombay, Bijlani’s entry into the public eye was marked by her undeniable charisma. She began modeling at the young age of 16, quickly becoming a familiar face in popular television commercials for leading brands like Nirma and Pond’s soap. It was during these early days that she earned the affectionate nickname "Bijli" (meaning lightning), a nod to her electrifying presence on screen.