Being controversy’s favourite child and/or media darling comes with its own perks and its own set of disadvantages. And who would know that better than the star of this week and birthday girl herself, Priyanka Chopra, who’s ruled the hearts of millions not just at home but more recently, across the world.

With an enviable repertoire of movies and credentials, PC has become something of a global icon ­– so not only has she proved her versatility on the acting front, but she’s the only ethnic woman to frontline an American primetime TV show.

She regularly makes tabloid headlines for her striking fashion choices and more recently for appearing with beau Nick Jonas with zero fs given, which is a refreshing change from the diplomatic PC we’ve all become so accustomed to.

Chopra’s come a long way ­– from making career blunders and very nearly being written off, to perhaps being one of the most talked about women on the planet, and someone who’s name adds as much weight to a project as her male contemporaries. It’s no mean feat for an ex-beauty queen who made inroads into the industry by playing worthless arm candy to smug heroes or the obligatory damsel in distress in Z-grade movies.

Perhaps more so to her credit, is that she’s made it here entirely on her own steam and without any real godfathers or connections who had her back in an industry which has often been called out for nepotism focusing only on star kids and leaving the more talented actors in the lurch to fend for themselves.

Chopra turns 36 today and perhaps is that cat amongst the pigeons who’s proven that in an industry which is known for resigning 30+ actresses to ‘behenji’ roles, she’s that rare breed, that rebel – who’s always followed her instincts, lived by her own rules and let her work do the talking.

All in all, we’d say the 'Star Of The Week' title is all but a befitting tribute to her on her 36th year on the planet. Happy birthday PC!

Facts:

Age: 36
Net worth: $8 Million
Notable performances: Aitraaz, Fashion, Barfi!, Bajirao Mastani, Kaminey, Mary Kom, Saat Khoon Maaf
Awards: 1 National Award, 5 Filmfare Awards, 1 Padma Shri
Frequently paired with (past and present): Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan
Upcoming films: Isn’t It Romantic? (Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth), The Sky Is Pink (Farhan Akhtar)