Deepika started her journey in the Hindi film industry with Om Shanti Om in 2007 and today, the film, as well as the actress, are celebrating their 15^th anniversary. While she became an instant sensation with her portrayal as Shantipriya in the Farah Khan-directorial, she struggled to find her next path-breaking film. From 2009 to 2011, Deepika’s career hit an all-time low. She bounced back stronger in 2012 and from thereon, her reign began.

Not just in Bollywood, Deepika left her footprints in Hollywood too. Becoming a global sensation, the actress also contributed to mental health awareness in India through her NGO, The Live Love Laugh Foundation which was established in 2015. In her 15 years long journey, Deepika proved that there’s no substitute for hard work and that reflects as she is now among the highest-paid and most desired actresses at present.

As we celebrate 15 years of this queen, let’s take a look at the ebb and flow of Deepika’s illustrious career which eventually made her not just an influential personality but also an actor par excellence.

Om Shanti Om

Deepika as Shantipriya set the benchmark high. In her debut Hindi film, the actress showed grace and spunk and left people impressed with her electrifying screen presence. She pulled off dual roles with ease. This character of Deepika still lives rent-free in our minds.

Chandni Chowk To China

Hits and misses are a part of every person’s career at some point. Deepika’s misses sadly began early. One of the tainted films in her filmography has to be Chandni Chowk To China. It was atrociously bad and we wonder what made the actress say yes to it.

Love Aaj Kal

Deepika and Imtiaz Ali make for one stellar actor-director pair and Love Aaj Kal was just the perfect way to prove it. Just when the string of unsuccessful films was beginning for Deepika, she featured in the love story which was not just accepted by the audience but became a classic.

Lafangey Parinde

Don’t be surprised if Lafangey Parindey went missing from your memory. Deepika, who was experimenting with different genres and styles, took the wrong turn here just to bounce back stronger years later.

Break Ke Baad

In 2010, Deepika had maximum releases. Unfortunately, none struck the right chord with the audience. Among them, it was Break Ke Baad which garnered the attention of the youth. Despite the negative response to the story of the film, Deepika’s performance was largely appreciated.

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey was a pre-independence era film. With this film, Deepika’s low phase was beginning to see an end.

Cocktail

Just when critics and the audience thought Deepika lost her ‘sparkle’, she struck back with full power with Cocktail. As Veronica, Deepika displayed her might as an actor and swept people away with her incredibly attractive screen presence and command over the complex character.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Climbing the staircase to success one film at a time, Deepika delivered yet another blockbuster. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani remains to be a cult film even after 9 years. The actress immortalised Naina who is now a part of the most popular characters ever written in Indian cinema.

Goliyon Ki Raas Leela Ram Leela

The raas leela of acting that she did in Goliyon Ki Raas Leela Ram Leela will be etched forever in our hearts and minds. Standing her own ground in front of veteran actors, Deepika took charge of the entire frame she featured in with her performance and of course beauty. She stole Ranveer Singh’s heart too!

XXX: Return of Xander Cage

Marking the beginning of her global dominance, Deepika signed her first Hollywood film titled XXX: Return of Xander Cage just when her career in Bollywood was peaking.

Piku

One of her most accomplished works, Piku was a testament that she isn’t just a pretty face but a solid actress. Be it the bickering, low-key romance or relationship with her on-screen father played by Amitabh Bachchan, she made Piku look and feel real.

Tamasha

Teaming up with Imtiaz Ali, Deepika experimented with a bold and coming-of-age concept. Though Tamasha wasn’t a box-office success, it was gradually accepted by the audience over a period of time. In one of her best works, Tamasha explored the unseen, hidden talent in Deepika which was performing with her body language and facial expressions.

Chhapaak

At the peak of her career, Deepika went into the dark rabbit hole for Chhapaak in which she played an acid attack victim. Getting into the skin of the character, Deepika made people forget that she is an actress and represented millions of women who went through trauma with her acting skills.

Gehraiyaan

Though Gehraiyaan received polarised reviews, Deepika’s performance as Alisha was lauded. Trying her hand at something unusual and complex, she once again proved why she is called the queen of hearts and Bollywood.

Happy 15 years, queen! Here's wishing many more successful years in the film industry.