The award-winning actress behind recent box-office hits such as 'Padmaavat' and 'Bajirao Mastani' beat off competition from around the world as part of a list compiled annually by UK-based 'Eastern Eye' weekly, which highlighted that the 32-year-old's "dream year" included marrying fellow actor Ranveer Singh and a stunning turn on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.
"Apart from being the undisputed queen of Bollywood and a strikingly beautiful star, what really makes Deepika Padukone special is how big her heart is and how grounded she has remained throughout her remarkable rise," said Asjad Nazir, the newspaper's Entertainment Editor behind the annual list, which is now in its 15th year.
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone pose with media at their Mumbai reception. "Deepika's humility has been inspirational and the way she makes a positive impact through raising awareness about mental health is showing everyone that being yourself and letting your inner light shine is the new sexy," he said.
Last year's topper, actress Priyanka Chopra, came in second as she celebrated another year of being a great global ambassador for India, including her own high-profile nuptials to singer Nick Jonas in Rajasthan over the weekend.
"As much as I want to hide my excitement right now, I cannot help but smile brightly and let out a big hurray because it truly feels awesome," said Sharma, in reference to her entry.
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan came in fourth and held onto her title as the sexiest Pakistani as she marked another strong year as a strong symbol of girl power and raising money for charity.
"I am grateful to be part of this list once again. My fans are my strength so thank you to them. I think personally sexy is what sexy does and I hope to continue to work hard at what I do with as much as passion as I have been from the start," she said.
The rest of the top 10 completing the 2018 list includes Shivangi Joshi (5), Alia Bhatt (6), Sonam Kapoor (7), Hina Khan (8), Katrina Kaif (9) and Niti Taylor (10).
The highest-placed newcomer in the list is rising star Ashi Singh (18) and the youngest in the list is 20-year-old television actress Shivangi Joshi (5).
One of two editor's choices for 2018 is actress Sanam Saeed (19), for "pushing the creative boundaries in Pakistan and regularly speaking about a wide array of important social issues including women's empowerment".
The second editor's choice, and the oldest in the list, is 51-year-old actress Madhuri Dixit (45).
Other highlights include Helly Shah (11), Drashti Dhami (12), Jennifer Winget (13), Erica Fernandes (15), Surbhi Chandna (16), Gauahar Khan (17), Anushka Shetty (22), Armeena Rana Khan (24), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (30), Athiya Shetty (31), Jameela Jamil (34), Jasmin Walia (38), Mehwish Hayat (40), Iqra Aziz (46) and Jacqueline Fernandez (47).
The '50 Sexiest Asian Women' list, which is compiled through a series of social media and related polling, will be formally released next Friday.
Best Of 2018: PM Modi, Urjit Patel Remain Newsmakers; India's New Heartthrob #DeepVeer
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2018 was the year of change.
And Internet users took to social media to share their opinions.
According to Yahoo's '2018 Year in Review', here's a quick look at all the trends that made headlines in India.
2018 was the year of change.
And Internet users took to social media to share their opinions.
According to Yahoo's '2018 Year in Review', here's a quick look at all the trends that made headlines i..
Read More
This year, India saw an empowerment chapter with #MeToo movement.
Several women took to social media to share accounts of sexual harassment by men in positions of power. The movement crossed over to the mainstream, garnering huge support and mobilising every section of the media.
India’s #MeToo Survivors, who started a conversation with wide-reaching impact, are made it to 2018's Personality of the Year.
This year, India saw an empowerment chapter with #MeToo movement.
Several women took to social media to share accounts of sexual harassment by men in positions of power. The movement crossed over to..
Read More
It's no surprise that Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) remained the most searched newsmaker in India, and Radhul Gandhi (L) followed him at No.2.
The former Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra made it to No. 3, thanks to his landmark verdicts on Triple Talaq and Article 377.
It's no surprise that Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) remained the most searched newsmaker in India, and Radhul Gandhi (L) followed him at No.2.
The former Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra made i..
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The excitement surrounding Bollywood’s biggest wedding ensured actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh were ‘couple’ newsmakers, leading the list.
Janhvi Kapoor (courtesy her debut movie 'Dhadak'), Virat Kohli (For all his centuries & controversies) and Priyanka-Nick (for the epic Bollywood meets Hollywood wedding) joined the list at No. 2, 3 & 4, respectively.
In Pic: (L-R Clockwise) Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor, Virat Kohli, and Priyanka Chopra & Nick Jonas.
The excitement surrounding Bollywood’s biggest wedding ensured actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh were ‘couple’ newsmakers, leading the list.
Janhvi Kapoor (courtesy her debut movie 'Dhadak')..
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Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Urjit Patel (left), came in at the top, holding his own against the government.
Soon to follow the list was India’s richest man and Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani (right top) after reports came in that his wealth had increased by Rs 300 crore per day in 2018.
After serving a total of 24 years at PepsiCo and 12 years as its CEO, Indra Nooyi resigned from the position, which made her the third most-searched newsmaker in finance.
Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Urjit Patel (left), came in at the top, holding his own against the government.
Soon to follow the list was India’s richest man and Reliance Industries Chairman Mu..
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The Karnataka elections (left) & Union Budget (right top), one of the most important events on this year’s calendar, took the cake at No.1 & 2.
An investigation by a media house into the hacking of the Aadhaar software came in at No. 3 on the list, sparking a nation-wide debate.
The Karnataka elections (left) & Union Budget (right top), one of the most important events on this year’s calendar, took the cake at No.1 & 2.
An investigation by a media house into the hacking of..
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Actor Salman Khan (C) made it to the top of the list after he was sentenced by Jodhpur court on the blackbuck case.
American singer Nick Jonas was termed the ‘National Jiju’ after news broke about his engagement to actress Priyanka Chopra. This got him second place.
Kamal Haasan was at No. 3 after he joined politics.
Actor Salman Khan (C) made it to the top of the list after he was sentenced by Jodhpur court on the blackbuck case.
American singer Nick Jonas was termed the ‘National Jiju’ after news broke about h..
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Sunny Leone (C) stayed strong at the top as actress Priya Prakash Varrier (L) followed her with her epic wink.
Fans bid farewell to Bollywood actress Sridevi with an outpouring of grief and love, making her third most-searched female celebrity.
Sunny Leone (C) stayed strong at the top as actress Priya Prakash Varrier (L) followed her with her epic wink.
Fans bid farewell to Bollywood actress Sridevi with an outpouring of grief and love, ma..
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The 21-year-old Shimron Hetmyer (left) of West Indies topped the 'Future Stars of Cricket' list. Mohammad Abbas of Pakistan and Sam Curran of England followed Hetmyer at No.2 & 3.
From India, 19-year old Prithvi Shaw (right top) and 23-year-old Rishabh Pant ranked 4 and 5 on the list.
The 21-year-old Shimron Hetmyer (left) of West Indies topped the 'Future Stars of Cricket' list. Mohammad Abbas of Pakistan and Sam Curran of England followed Hetmyer at No.2 & 3.
From India, 19-yea..
