Deepika Padukone birthday special: A look back at her modelling days before she became a reigning queen

Actor Deepika Padukone is currently one of the biggest and leading ladies of Bollywood. The actor has delivered some incredible films in the past that not only did wonders at the box office but proved that models can act too. The 36-year-old actor is crowned as a superstar ever since she paved her way to Bollywood by starring in Om Shaanti Om opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Over the years, Padukone has carved a niche for herself and turned out to be one of the most successful actors of her generation.

As Deepika is celebrating her 36th birthday today, we decided to give you guys a look back at her modelling days before she conquered the nation and world.

Here’s a little birthday special for Deepika Padukone:

When she started her modelling career in 2004: After being a national badminton player, Deepika chose to take a 360-degree shift in her career and decided to enter the glamour and glitz world. At the age of 18, she started her modelling career.

The first ad: She then bagged her first endorsement of soap and went on to become the face of a toothpaste brand and then some cold drink brands. Deepika was only touching the new limits with her brand promotions.

When she became the model of the year in 2005: The stunning lady Deepika made her runway debut at the Lakme Fashion Week for designer Suneet Varma and won the “Model of the Year” award at the Kingfisher Fashion Awards. Padukone’s fame increased when she appeared in a highly popular print campaign for the 2006 Kingfisher Calendar.

When she made her first appearance in a music video: After completely taking the fashion industry by storm, the leggy lass then made her stunning appearance in a music video that gained wider recognition. She featured in a music video for Himesh Reshammiya’s song Naam Hai Tera.

The acting debut: After which, Padukone made her acting debut by starring in a Kannada film, titled, Aishwarya. Though she didn’t receive positive reviews, Deepika still managed to bag a role in Bollywood.

Deepika Padukone first Bollywood film: Reportedly, Farah Khan wanted a model for her upcoming film, Om Shaanti Om and asked Malaika Arora to help her get a model for the part. She then contacted Fashion designer Wendell Rodricks for whom Padukone had been modelling for roughly two years then, recommended her to Arora. That’s how Farah Khan got her Shantipriya and Bollywood its new reigning queen.

The breakthrough: However, after delivering a blockbuster on her first film, she did quite a few films but none of them created a stir until she played Veronica in Cocktail that marked a significant turning point in her career. Cocktail earned Padukone Best Actress nominations at several events and proved to be a success at the box office too.

The star: It was 2014 where Padukone had established herself as a leading actress in Hindi cinema. It was the time where she tasted success or rather stardom in 2014 when she delivered 4 back to back top-grossing films at the box office. She gave hits with Race 2, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express and Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela. After the success of the films, there was no turning back!

Also read: Deepika Padukone gives fans a little present as she drops new posters of Gehraiyaan on her birthday