Shamlee is born into a Christian household in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. She started acting in her childhood. As a child artist, Shalini has acted in Anjali, a Tamil film, Malootty, Pookalam varavai etc. Later she acted in Harikrishnan with megastars Mohanlal and Mammootty and also Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla. Shamilee has an elder sister - Shalini - the famous Malayalam actress. Richard is her brother.
Although her mother tongue is Malayalam, she speaks fluent Tamil as well.