The ever-gorgeous Deepika Padukone

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Deepika Padukone is one of the most recognized faces among the Indian Super models, as it was she who modeled in print and television advertising campaigns for soap brand 'Liril', Close-Up and Limca. Deepika started walking the ramp at the age of seventeen. But today she is better known as a successful actress on the big screen having scored a big film with none other than actor Shahrukh Khan, namely Om Shanti Om. Within a short span of time, Deepika has managed to achieve a lot and with things going her way she sure is Bollywood's rising star.

Deepika Padukone was born in the 5th of January 1986. She is the daughter of former World badminton Champion Prakash Padukone. She did her schooling in Bangalore. She completed her Pre University course in Mount Carmel College in Bangalore, Vasanthnagar. She made her debut on the ramp in 2003 at The Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore, and immediately shot to prominence in the industry. She received many prestigious modelling offers, including brand ambassadorship of the Jewels of India, a prominent jewelry exhibition. She hit the international scene when she was made cosmetic brand Maybelline's international face.

Deepika's first music video was Himesh Reshammiya's Naam Hai Tere. Deepika made her debut in the South Indian industry with the Kannada film Aishwarya directed by Indrajit Lankesh, which was declared a hit at the box-office. Deepika was to make her Bollywood debut opposite Shahrukh Khan in Happy New Year however; the movie was shelved. But the actress has no regrets as she is still making her debut opposite King Khan in Om Shanti Om. The actress has also signed Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra's film Delhi 6.

Not averse to showing skin, or even wearing a bikini on screen, Deepika likes to proclaim a rebellion to conventions and out dated fashion trends. "I don't mind wearing a bikini because I know that I can carry one off. I'm very sure of what I can do and what I can't. As long as I'm enjoying it, it's fine," she says with a proud tone in her voice. At the fifth annual Kingfisher Fashion Awards, for Indian models and designers, she was awarded the title of Model of the Year. Shortly afterwards, she was chosen as one of the models for the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar for 2006. She also bagged two trophies at the Idea Zee F Awards in 2006 - Female Model of the year (Commercial Assignments) and Fresh Face of the year.

When asked about the controversies about her Deepika says that she is prepared for both, the bouquets and brickbats that may come her way. "I have a very long way to go in terms of my acting abilities. To me failure and success are two sides of the same coin and accepting them both equally is what I truly believe shapes me as the person that I am. So all I can say is bring it on!"

Awards
Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar for 2006
The Idea Zee F Awards in 2006
Female Model of the year 2006
Fresh Face of the year - 2006

Films
Aishwarya - 2006
Om Shanti Om - 2007
Pirate – 2007
Made in China with Akshay Kumar – Pre production