Born on February 21, 1986, Deepal Shaw, who gained popularity for her scintillating performance in the song 'Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar Remix', hails from Mumbai. While her grandparents moved to Mumbai from Lucknow ages ago, Deepal was born and brought up in the city of dreams. (All photos/mid-day archives and Deepal Shaw's official Instagram account)

Deepal Shaw pursued psychology from Mumbai's popular St. Xavier's College. Right from her childhood, Deepal had a fascination for the showbiz world.

At 18, Deepal Shaw participated in the 2004 Miss India beauty pageant. She went on to reach the final round but didn't make it to the top finalists.

Thanks to her beauty pageant stint, Deepal Shaw soon started getting offers for ads. A cold drink commercial featuring Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen had Deepal's blink and miss role.

After appearing in a couple of ads, Deepal Shaw was offered Baby Doll Album's 'Rangeela Re' remix and later 'Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar' remix. Deepal's sizzling dance moves set everyone drooling over the music videos and the peppy tracks, and the album soon became one of the most-watched music albums of the year.

Deepal Shaw also featured in the Baby Doll Album's 'Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar' remix. Her hot 'school girl' get up was the highlight of all her item numbers that helped her climb the ladder to fame.

In 2005, Deepal Shaw bagged her first big Bollywood film - Mohit Suri's Kalyug. The film which starred Kunal Kemmu, Smilie Suri, Emraan Hashmi, Amrita Singh and Ashutosh Rana, had Deepal playing a showgirl in a high-end bar. Deepal played a pivotal part in the film.

In 2008, Deepal Shaw played a television news reporter Naina Roy in A Wednesday, directed by Neeraj Pandey. Remember the scene where the 'common man' played by Naseeruddin Shah tips off Deepal's character telling her to reach the police headquarters immediately as it is going to be "the most important day of her life"? Well, she did a pretty good job there! Don't you think so?

Well, this scene from A Wednesday, featuring Deepal Shaw and Snehal Dabi has separate fan followers altogether.

After A Wednesday, Deepal Shaw featured in films such as Randeep Hooda, Sushmita Sen-starrer Karma, Confessions and Holi, 2010's Right Yaa Wrong, and 2011's Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster. 

However, despite a decent amount of popularity, Deepal Shaw's acting career never took off.

Here are some personal insights, her 'must-haves', that Deepal shared with mid-day exclusively, a while ago:

Hair accessories: I have very long hair so I have to keep a few accessories to keep it in place. After all, I can't leave it loose throughout the day.

Hand sanitiser: Being a very hygienic person, I like to keep my hands clean all the time.

Chewing gum: Fresh breath is my mantra so I have to carry a few pieces of gum with me.

Photos of family: I am a very emotional person. And I don't feel homesick when I am out because I have pictures of my family in my wallet.

Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Deepal Shaw!