Anushka Sharma: Film and fashion star at 25

She had a dream debut in Bollywood, featuring opposite Shah Rukh Khan in a Yash Raj film, and now, five years since the release of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Anushka Sharma is ranked one of the top actresses of Bollywood. She's currently shooting Raj Kumar Hirani's Peekay opposite Aamir Khan.

For Anushka's 25th birthday today, we're looking back at her rise to stardom.

Anushka was born in Bangalore to Colonel Ajay Kumar and Ashima Sharma. Her parents are originally from Uttarakhand. She has an elder brother named Karnesh, who was a state-level cricketer and is now in the Merchant Navy. She studied in the Army School and graduated in arts from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore.

Anushka wanted to be a model ever since she was little. She enrolled in the Elite Modelling Agency and was groomed by style consultant Prasad Bidappa, whom she met when she was just 15 years old.

In 2007, she participated at the Lakme Fashion Week as a model for Wendell Rodricks's Les Vamps Show and was picked to be the designear's show-stopper.

After that there was no looking back for this starry-eyed beauty as she signed several modelling assignments and television commercials including Silk & Shine, Nathella Jewellery and Fiat Palio.

Movies were not on her agenda till Anushka's family moved to Mumbai and her agency sent her pictures to Yash Raj Films. After a few auditions, she was officially cast opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) for the female lead, Taani. The role fetched Anushka a Best Actress nomination at the Filmfare Awards.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was followed by Badmaash Company (2010) opposite Shahid Kapoor, where she played spunky con girl, Bulbul.

The same year, Anushka completed her three film contract with Yash Raj films, starring in Band Baaja Baaraat. This was her star-making film and she was nominated for a slew of awards, including a second Best Actress at Filmfare, winning at the IIFA and Apsara awards.

Her first venture outside the Yash Raj banner, Patiala House (2011) opposite Akshay Kumar, flopped at the box office. But the actress received positive reviews for her role.

Her on and off screen chemistry with her Band Baaja Baaraat co-star Ranveer Singh have always made headlines. Apparently, the two fell in love on the sets of the film and were frequently spotted together at social events. "Just good friends" is what the couple claimed to be, but rumour has it that they were more than that. Gossip blamed the end of Anushka an Ranveer's reported romance on actress Sonakshi Sinha, Ranveer's Lootera co-star. Anushka is now believed to be single.

Anushka and Ranveer also starred together in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl (2011).

There had been rumours about the actress dating cricketer Suresh Raina. However, Anushka not only denied dating Suresh but claimed not to know him at all.

Anushka Sharma featured in late director Yash Chopra's last film Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) for which she received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress this year. The film reunited her with her first hero, Shah Rukh Khan.

The actress was last seen in Vishal Bhardwaj's movie Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola opposite Imran Khan. The movie did average business at the box office, but Anushka's acting chops were well appreciated.

Anushka is one of the leading ladies in Bollywood's fashion pack. The actress has undergone a complete makeover, with a slimmer figure and a fringed hair-do, since her Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi days.

She has graced the covers of magazines like Vogue, Grazia, L'Officiel and Maxim.

Here's wishing one of Bollywood's most talented young actors a happy year ahead.