Life's a Holiday for Sonakshi Sinha at 27

Dabangg girl Sonakshi Sinha is on a roll as she turns a year older. Bollywood welcomed her with open arms and she began her film career with films opposite Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, two of Bollywood's biggest names. Being Shatrughan Sinha's daughter may have opened some doors but Sonakshi's success rate proves she's a star in her own right. 2013's Lootera silenced her critics once and for all proving that she wasn't just a lucky charm but could carry a film on her own shoulders. The actress will soon be seen in Holiday, opposite Akshay Kumar.

Here's a pictorial journey through her life as she turns 27.

Sonakshi was born on June 2, 1987 to actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha and former beauty queen Poonam Sinha.

She has two brothers, Luv and Kush Sinha.

Sonakshi began her showbiz career as a model, walking the ramp at Lakme Fashion week in 2008 and then again in 2009.

Sonakshi famously lost 30 kgs to play svelte village belle Rajjo, her first film role, in Dabangg.

Her debut film, Dabangg (2010) opposite Salman Khan, became a blockbuster hit and broke box office records.

She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performance in Dabangg.

Sonakshi had no releases in 2011 but a lot of awards came her way - the Most Promising Newcomer trophy at the Star Screen Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Stardust Awards and Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards.

We saw a lot of Sonakshi in 2012. While her Rowdy Rathore opposite Akshay Kumar and Son Of Sardaar opposite Ajay Devgn were big hits, Joker, again with Akshay, was a flop.

Sonakshi's last film of 2012 Dabangg 2, opposite Salman Khan, was also a box office hit though it received mixed reviews from the audience and critics alike

We also saw her in a retro look in the item number Thank God Its Friday from the movie Himmatwala (2013).

Four of Sonakshi's films released in 2013. Vikramaditya Motwane's Lootera, a period romance in which she featured with Ranveer Singh, did average business at the box office but earned her rave reviews from the audience and critics alike. Milan Luthria's Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara!, the sequel to the 2010 hit film Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, which also featured Akshay Kumar, Imran Khan and Sonali Bendre, turned out to be a damp squib at the box office.

Tigmanshu Dhulia's Bullett Raja, opposite Saif Ali Khan, was a flop. R...Rajkumar, opposite Shahid Kapoor, did fairly well. Whispers of a romance between Shahid and Sonakshi have been floating ever since the movie's release but neither actor has admitted to a relationship.

Sonakshi will next be seen in the movie Holiday opposite Akshay Kumar. The film is a remake of 2012 Tamil film Thuppakki. Also in her kitty are - Action Jackson with Ajay Devgn and Yami Gautam and Boney Kapoor's remake of Okkadu with Arjun Kapoor.

Sonakshi is also much in demand as the cover girl of choice of magazines like Vogue, Maxim and Marie Claire.

Here's wishing this versatile actress a very happy birthday and a fantastic year ahead.