New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Bollywood's new entrant Deepika Padukone, whose second film 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' is due for release Aug 15, is considered the hot favourite actress by Indian audiences across the globe. She tops the popular Maxim Hot 100 girls worldwide list.

The Maxim Hot list makes its debut in India and the 'Om Shanti Om' star, Deepika, is winner of the first edition.

'To be honest, personally I never thought of myself as 'sexy' or 'hot' but if that's the call that people have taken, then I hope I live up to it. I am so excited about this,' Deepika said in a press statement.

She joins the likes of previous Bollywood celebrity-winners like Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor.

'Deepika was our choice as the winner because apart from her huge fan following with the new generation of Indians, she also has the potential to be an international face. This calls for a huge party,' said Anup Kutty, editor of Maxim-India.

Deepika will be felicitated August end in Mumbai.