She made her first runway appearance in 2003, at just seventeen.

Amongst the most notable of her career endeavours have been her partnership with Jewel of India, a yearly exhibition for jewellery lovers.

Deepika's face first went international, thanks to her cover girl work with make-up giant Maybelline.

The 2005 Kingfisher Fashion Awards named Deepika Model of the Year.

At the 2006 Idea Zee F Award ceremonies, Deepika won trophies in the categories of Female Model of the Year and Fresh Face of the Year.

She has been romantically linked to Indian model and socialite, Nihar Pandya and is now dating actor Ranbir Kapoor.

She is a Bangalore girl but born in Denmark.

She made her screen debut in the Kannada film, Aishwarya, directed by Indrajit Lankesh.

Deepika Padukone has modelled for Liril soap, Dabur Lal powder, Close-Up toothpaste and Limca.

Deepika Padukone featured in the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar for 2006.

Deepika Padukone starred in the music video for 'Naam Hai Tera', a song from the pop album Aap Ka Suroor, an independent album by Himesh Reshammiya.

(About her open relationship with Ranbir Kapoor): The main thing is that it’s not about hiding our relationship or wanting the world to know. It’s about being sure. And I think when you are sure and you truly are in love, why would you want to hide it?

I didn’t even know that I would get into films. I started getting a lot of assignments for endorsements in terms of print, ramp etc. I think Farah (Khan) noticed one of my music videos with Himesh and sort of decided to take me in her film.

I always say if you enjoy your work and enjoy the process of being part of a film, everything else will follow.

Rakhi Sawant is very honest and always speaks her mind and that’s so good about her. Before I was signed for Om Shanti Om, I used to go to the same dance class as her.

I grew up watching Aishwarya Rai. When I was in school, I remember how thrilled I was when she won Miss World. Ash and Sushmita Sen are people I've admired.

(About what she and Ranbir talk about): We do know what's going on in each other's careers. But otherwise we try to keep cinema out of our conversation. We try not to get into one another's workspace.

I was very nervous about working with Shah Rukh Khan. But Farah and Shah Rukh made it very comfortable for me. We did readings together, we met socially so that we were comfortable when we faced the camera. He's again someone I grew up watching.

(About her being choosy with films): You've to be sure of what you're doing. So often I say 'no' because I don't have the time. I meet every director who wants to meet me. I do consult my parents. It would be unfair to distance them from my career just because they aren't part of the entertainment industry. But the final decision is mine.

(About how her parents react to her frequent link-ups): It used to affect them initially. Now they're fed up reading new things every morning. We've decided to continue with our normal lives.

(About her co-star in Chandni Chowk to China): Akshay (Kumar) taught me lots of action. He said that action is like dancing so you have to be very graceful while doing it. I like to believe that main next female Akshay Kumar hoon (I'm the next female Akshay Kumar).

We had thought of using adhesive tapes on my face so that my eyes would stretch for the Chinese look initially, but it wasn't a good idea to use tapes. They're bad for the skin.

Akshay Kumar is a fantastic co-star. The way he comes on the sets and goes through the scenes of the day and the way he improvises, is tremendous.

Look at what Chak De India did to hockey. I would love to do a really good film on the game of badminton.

I would like to contribute as much as possible to sports. Yes, I'd support badminton more than any other sport. But I'd like to support Indian sports in every way possible.