Happy Birthday, Anushka Sharma: Ruling Bollywood@29

Anushka Sharma, one of Bollywood's most sought after actress, turns a year older today. She made her debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in 2008. She now wears several hats, as both actress and producer. Her last film (as producer) Phillauri won critical appreciation but wasn't as commercially successful as her first, NH10. As she turns 29, we take a pictorial look at her life and career so far.

Anushka was born on May 1, 1988 in Bangalore to army officer Colonel Ajay Sharma and homemaker mother Ashima. She went to the Army School and then graduated from Mount Carmel College.

This image was posted in Instagram by Anushka Sharma

Anushka's original choice of career was modelling and she began by walking the ramp for designer Wendell Rodricks at Lakme Fashion Week. She also modelled for brands like Fiat Palio and Silk & Shine.

In 2008, Anushka made a grand Bollywood debut with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi opposite Shah Rukh Khan. It was the first of three produced by Yash Raj Films. The film was declared a blockbuster, as was her performance.

Her second Yash Raj movie released in 2010, Badmaash Company opposite Shahid Kapoor. She pushed the envelope as the spunky Bulbul and was singled out for praise by critics.

In the same year, her last film with Yash Raj, Band Baaja Baaraat opposite Ranveer Singh, released to a warm welcome at the box office and by critics. Anushka's performance as a wedding planner won her the IIFA award for Best Actress.

In 2011, Anushka appeared in the flop Patiala House opposite Akshay Kumar. The movie tanked at the box office but Anushka received some praise.

Anushka's three-film contract with Yash Raj ended with Band Baaja Baaraat but so successful were they that she was cast in a fourth Yash Raj movie in 2011. Ladies vs Ricky Bahl reunited Anushka with Band Baaja Baaraat co-star Ranveer Singh and was declared a hit.

In 2012, Anushka appeared in Yash Chopra's Jab Tak Hain Jaan as ambitious and energetic Discovery Channel reporter Akira opposite her first hero Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. Her performance fetched her a number of awards, including the prizes for Best Supporting Actress at Filmfare and IIFA.

Anushka had one film in early 2013 - Vishal Bhardwaj's satire Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, co-starring Pankaj Kapur, Imran Khan and Shabana Azmi.

With almost a year between releases, Anushka closed 2014 with the biggest hit of her career - PK, co-starring Aamir Khan, which smashed several box office records.

The year 2015 began on a good note for the actress who turned producer with NH10. The film, in which Anushka played the female lead, was hailed by critics and did well at the box office.

Next, Anushka was seen co-starring with Ranbir Kapoor in Anurag Kashyap's Bombay Velvet. She played a jazz singer in the film.

Anushka was also seen in Zoya Akhtar's family drama Dil Dhadakne Do. The film, which revolves around the story of a Punjabi family on a cruise trip, also starred Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Anil Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar and Shefali Shah.

2016 was an exceptionally successful year for Anushka. She first played the role of wrestler in Salman Khan's Sultan and later starred in Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Both films got rave review and set the cash registers ringing from Day 1. Anushka's performance was also applauded.

This year, Anushka produced another film titled, Phillauri. She featured as a ghost bride in the film co-starring Diljit Dosanjh and Suraj Sharma. Phillauri won critical acclaim, especially for Anushka's bold decision to back a lesser explored category.

Anushka Sharma's next is Imtiaz Ali-directed yet-untitled film co-starring Shah Rukh Khan. The actress will also be seen in Sanjay Dutt's biopic, which features Ranbir Kapoor in lead role. The film is directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

Anushka Sharma had been dating cricketer Virat Kohli for a while. However, the couple broke up in 2015 and they are reportedly back together now.

Here's wishing Anushka Sharma a very Happy Birthday.

This image was posted in Instagram by Anushka Sharma