The year is 2005, model-on-the-rise Deepika Padukone steps in front of the camera in the frothiest of chiffons and the daintiest of florals. Then all of 19, immediately finds a fan in ace photographer Tarun Khiwal. “[Deepika is] very unspoilt and not even a hint of a tantrum. She is the new face of Indian modelling and absolutely lovely,” raved Khiwal after the shoot.
Two years later, the world would come to know and love her as Shanti in her big-ticket debut Om Shanti Om, starring opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Deepika’s career has gone from strength to strength ever since: after winning over the country’s critics with back-to-back stellar performances, the lady has set her sights on the global box office with a feisty role in xXx: Return of Xander Cage opposite Vin Diesel.
As she preps for her big Hollywood release, we dusted out our time machine and went for a quick trip down memory lane to Deepika’s very first shoot with ELLE. Here are the souvenirs that we brought back with us.
Flip through the gallery for more.
