Deepika Padukone, counted among the most successful and richest actresses in Bollywood, has built a global identity in her 18-year-long career. Known for her powerful performances and massive fan following, she is today the owner of wealth worth hundreds of crores. But her journey began with a very modest income.

Before stepping into Bollywood, Deepika worked as a model and even appeared as a background model. For her very first modeling assignment, she received a salary of only Rs 2,000. This was a humble beginning for someone who would later become one of the highest-paid actresses in India. Born in Denmark and raised in a sports background, Deepika was a national-level badminton player, following the footsteps of her father, Prakash Padukone, before choosing to pursue modeling and acting.

Deepika made her acting debut in 2006 with the Kannada film Aishwarya. However, her big Bollywood break came in 2007 with Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om opposite Shah Rukh Khan, which became a blockbuster and instantly established her as a star.

Since then, she has starred in several hit films such as Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ramleela, Bajirao Mastani, Piku, Happy New Year, Housefull, Pathaan, and Kalki 2898 AD. Today, Deepika charges between Rs 15 to 20 crores for a single film. According to reports, her current net worth stands at an impressive Rs 500 crores, making her one of the wealthiest actresses in Bollywood.