Destiny's child, Freida Pinto turns 29

Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto has quickly become one of the most sought-after on red carpets for her individual and fashion-forward outfits. And while Bollywood can't claim her as a luminary just yet, India looks on with pride each time Freida makes another stunning showing at an international event.

As destiny's favourite child Freida Pinto turns 29, we take a look at her meteoric rise to fame.

Born on October 18, 1984, to a Mangalorean Catholic family in Mumbai, Freida always aspired to be an actress. Freida went to Carmel of St Joseph school and St. Xavier's College in Mumbai.

Freida was 10 when Sushmita Sen was crowned Miss Universe, an event that made little Freida determined to take her own place in the sun.

Before Danny Boyle came calling, Freida was a struggling model-actress. Her early work included an anchoring stint on Zee International's travel show Full Circle. Not many remember her appearing in advertisements for Wrigley's Chewing Gum, Skoda, Vodafone India, Airtel, and DeBeers.

Freida also appeared on many runway shows and magazine covers. She also took acting lessons at The Barry John Acting Studio in Mumbai.

Freida then auditioned for Slumdog Millionaire and landed the role of the older Latika.

Slumdog Millionaire swept both box office and awards, winning 8 Oscars in 2009. Freida earned some nominations as well, including a BAFTA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and has not looked back since.

With fame came romance. Freida and Slumdog co-star Dev Patel began a relationship, appearing together on red carpet and at events. There has even been talk of an engagement.

Her breakthrough in Slumdog Millionaire was followed by a role in director Woody Allen's ensemble film You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (2010), which featured the likes of Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Anupam Kher and Naomi Watts.

Freida was cast opposite James Franco in Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011) where she played a primatologist.

Freida was also part of the film Immortals (2011), co-starring Man Of Steel actor Henry Cavill, in which she played the role of the oracle priestess Phaedra.

She also featured in Miral (2010) directed by Julian Schnabel. The story was about a Palestinian girl who grows up in an atmosphere of conflict and war.

Trishna (2012) features actor Riz Ahmed and Freida in lead roles. Trishna is an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel Tess Of The D'Urbervilles. The film, set in Rajasthan, won critical acclaim.

In 2009, Freida made it to the 10th position on FHM's Sexiest Women list with Megan Fox, Jessica Alba, Adriana Lima and other beauties.

A Vanity Fair cover declared Freida a modern day Helen of Troy.

Looking effortlessly sexy in Maxim India was another feather in her hat.

Freida's fashion forward red carpet appearances put her on the best dressed list of style bible Vogue.

Freida is among the clutch of celebrities endorsing international brand L'Oréal and recently appeared in a worldwide print campaign that featured Jane Fonda, Julianne Moore and Eva Longoria.

The actress' latest appearance has been a rather racy one in a music video for the Bruno Mars single Gorilla which stars the hitherto wholesome Freida as a stripper in a seedy bar. Freida's next film is Desert Dancer directed by Richard Raymond.

Here's wishing the actress a very happy birthday.