Deepika Padukone, born 5 January 1986 in Mangalore, Karnataka, is an Indian model & Actress. She is the daughter of former badminton Champion Prakash Padukone. Her mother tongue is Tulu.
Deepika has been modeling appearances in print and television advertising campaigns for Liril, Close-Up toothpaste and Limca, receiving many prestigious modeling offers, including brand ambassadorship of the Jewels of India, an annual jewelery exhibition. Deepika hit the international scene when Maybelline made her their new international cover-girl face.
At the fifth annual Kingfisher Fashion Awards, for Indian models and designers, Deepika was awarded the title of Model of the Year. Shortly after wards, she was chosen as one of the models for the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar for 2006, thus cementing her reputation as a supermodel. She also awarded two trophies at the Idea Zee F Awards in 2006 - female Model of the year and Fresh Face of the year