Celebrating Kareena's 30 Avatars

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She was born to be a star. Whether it's her celebrated lineage or her self-assured aura, Kareena Kapoor spells celluloid magic like no one else.

Right from the onset, the almond-eyed beauty laid claim to a place among A-listers and established herself as an impressive mix of actress-star with her inborn skills and ingenious glamour.

All through her decade-long career, Kareena -- known to speak from the heart on matters of profession and personal life -- has led life by her own rules and won a great number of admirers along the way.

Even as La Kapoor hits a gorgeous 30 on September 21, rediff.com raises a toast to her stardom and 30 unique looks on the big screen. Here's the first part of an interesting two-part special.

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Don't be fooled by the obvious blue-blooded quality of her persona!

Kareena is just as convincing as the girl every guy dreams of taking home to meet his mommy -- a picture of easy-going accessibility and sweet warmth.

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There's a good reason why Kareena's childhood nick-name has caught on in a big way. Here's a look at the star with her mane tied in two high pony tails, Bebo mein Be

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Once a Kapoor, always a Kapoor? The Punjabi kudi breaks into a high-strung bhangra whilst making yet another style statement in vibrant phulkaris and dangling parandas.
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To demonstrate there's more to her than fluff and fancy, Kareena slips into the crude skin of a prostitute in little more than a gaudy sari and garish make-up. Take a bow, Chameli san!
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In Bollywood, glasses convey geekdom and nose-piercings alternate between the edgy, modern woman and stereotypical gaon-ki-gori. Bebo, however, combines the two to become a picture of radiance, adorability and boho-chic.
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While most insecure actresses are obsessed with make-up, Kareena loves to flaunt her porcelain complexion and pink cheeks to ravishing results on and off screen.
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At the same time, she'll readily doll up like a glitzy dream to enthrall and allure doling out the most flirtatious glances and naughty jhatkas known to mankind.
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Everyone commits a fashion crime at some point of time. Even the best of them. These ghastly golden highlights probably rank high on Kareena's biggest-mistake-of-my-life' list.
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But when she gets it right, purrfect, isn't she? The September-born stunner gets all wild 'n' catty for her audience with her leopard-inspired eye-shadow and body suit.
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The city-bred chica sets her upscale upbringing aside to convey the touching simplicity and polite demeanor of a small-town girl with her immaculate softness and pastel outfits.
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Seeta or Geeta, Kareena juggles it all. The rocking beauty goes for the kill strutting her washboard abs, abundant cleavage and faultlessly bronzed skin to good effect reiterating just that.
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She wows as just the same with her doe-eyed sincerity as a dedicated working girl in elegant handloom saris and tiny bindis, reminiscent of Raakhee in the 1970s.
Image: Kareena Kapoor