She began a parallel career in theatre while studying for a postgraduate degree in Organic Chemistry from DAV College Dehradun, India.

After graduating from the National School of Drama in 1982,[7] Shivpuri worked briefly with the NSD Repertory Company and then moved to Mumbai.

She acted in many art films thereafter like Shyam Benegal's Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda (1993) and Mammo (1994), though her big commercial break came with Sooraj R. Barjatya's Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!

She made her television debut with the serial Humrahi (DD National), directed by Kunwar Sinha, which gave her considerable popularity as her role of Devki Bhojai was widely appreciated.

Earlier, she had made brief appearances in Lekh Tandon's TV show Phir Wahi Talash and Shyam Benegal's Yatra.

After Humrahi, she became a regular feature on Indian television, starring in serials like Hasratein on Zee TV in 1995 as an unsatisfied wife forced to marry a man double her age and looking out for extramarital affairs to satiate her needs, Kasautii Zindagi Kay, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi as Raksha, Chandni, Dollar Bahu (Zee TV), Josh (Star Plus), Ek Ladki Anjaani Si and most recently in Ghar Ek Sapna (Sahara One) and India Calling (Star One).