Can you guess who recommended Deepika Padukone's name for 'Om Shanti Om'?

Pic Courtesy: Movie Still

New Delhi: One of the most successful actresses in B-Town, Deepika Padukone is today an A-lister who has a massive fan following across the globe. She not only is a big name in the home turf but 'xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage' with Vin Diesel made her a huge international star as well.

But you will be pleasantly surprised to know who recommended her at the first place. Yes! We all know by now that filmmaker Farah Khan is behind this lovely find but do you know there is someone who noticed her even before Farah did.

According to MissMalini.com, much before Farah spotted Deepika in Himesh Reshammiya's music video 'Naam Hai Tera', it was 'Chhaiya Chhaiya' girl Malaika Arora who saw the spark in her.

Yes! Surprised, no? The report quotes ace fashion designer Wendell Rodrick's telling Elle Magazine in an interview about how Malaika spotted Deepika at one of his shows and recommended to Farah for 'Om Shanti Om'.

He has been quoted as saying, “I showed a collection called Isadora at Lakmé Fashion Week. It was a game changer for Deepika. Director Farah Khan asked my friend Malaika to suggest a new model to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan for her new film. Om Shanti Om did not have a working title at the time. I suggested Deepika who was barely two years into modelling. I made her open the show and told Malaika that the first girl I was sending out was the one I recommend. Malaika liked her, conveyed the same to Farah and a screen test was done. The rest is history.”