Modelling

While pursuing her studies in college, she decided to pursue a career in modelling due to her tall slender figure. Over the years, she modelled for Liril, Dabur Lal powder, Close-Up toothpaste and Limca, receiving many prestigious modelling offers, including brand ambassadorship of the Jewels of India, an annual jewellery exhibition. She hit the international scene when Maybelline made her their new international covergirl face.

At the fifth annual Kingfisher Fashion Awards, she was awarded the title of Model of the Year and Playboy Magazine Cover Winner. Shortly afterwards, she was chosen as one of the models for the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar for 2006 and won two trophies at the Idea Zee F Awards later that year - Female Model of the Year - (Commercial Assignments) and Fresh Face of the Year. Padukone was also chosen as the brand ambassador of Kingfisher Airlines and most recently Levi Strauss.She is also the brand ambassador of the products of Tissot and LG.