Birthday Special: Deepika Padukone's journey from modelling to Om Shanti Om to Hollywood through 20 Photos!

A popular American magazine recently tagged her as ‘the Bollywood megastar, who is about to conquer America’, not just that this young firebrand has also found a 10th spot on the Forbes list of richest actresses in the world, what’s more, her big Hollywood debut is all set for a worldwide release soon.

There is not an ounce of doubt that Deepika Padukone has become a force to reckon with. However, it has not been an easy feat, starting as a model it took Deepika several years of dedication and hard work to reach where she is today.

As the elegant actress turns a year older today, we decided to trace her remarkable journey from her modelling days to becoming a Hollywood sweetheart through a series of photographs.

Take a look…

Deepika kick started her career with modelling when she was as young as 18 but even then, she didn’t fail to make an impact. This image is from one of the early ads she did for Liril soap and the confidence with which she is facing the camera is noteworthy.

Following commercials, Deepika soon made her runway debut at the prestigious Lakme Fashion Week and made heads turn with her gorgeousness.

Yeah, there was a time when the Padmavati actress even featured in a music video titled — Naam Hai Tera and that too with Himesh Reshammiya. Hard to believe? Well, the above image is the proof.

While the modelling industry was mesmerized by this leggy beauty, in 2006, Deepika made jaws drop as she introduced her super-sexy avatar to the world by appearing on the coveted Kingfisher Calendar. Her bikini-clad pictures from the calendar shoot still have the power to set temperatures soaring and how.

Na, Deepika didn’t really start her acting journey with Om Shanti Om, before her big Bollywood debut, Deepika did a Kannada film titled Aishwarya.

In 2007, Deepika did Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om and thus began her love affair with Bollywood.

After her Bollywood debut Deepika soon became the face of several brands as everybody wanted a piece of this gorgeous gal.

It was not just big brands but even big production houses like Yash Raj sought this young new sensation in Bollywood. Deepika’s second film — Bachna Ae Haseeno with Ranbir Kapoor too was a box-office hit.

Even though her acting chops were criticized, Deepika continued to do a series of films like Love Aaj Kal, Chandni Chowk To China, Desi Boyz etc.

Year after year, she continued to slay with her gorgeousness.

And the magazines and photographers continued to capture her exquisite beauty.

Deepika kept getting better and sexier with every act.

In 2012, with Homi Adajania’s Cocktail, Deepika finally proved to all her naysayers that she was not just a pretty face anymore, behind that sexy avatar was also a fabulous actress who had finally arrived.

She was already sexy and now she was also finally getting her dues as an actress too, there was certainly no stopping Deepika Padukone now.

In 2013, Padukone established herself as a leading actress of contemporary Hindi cinema by featuring in four of the top-grossing productions of the year.

And then came Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Deepika was simply mind-blowing in the film.

Deepika continued to raise the temperatures with her hotness…

Piku was another turning point in Deepika’s career, when proved to the world that there was a lot more to her than just looking pretty.

After ruling glossies in India, Deepika graced the cover of popular American magazine – Paper.

And now the lady is all set to make a big Hollywood debut alongside Vin Diesel in xXx: Return Of Xander Cage.