PIX: Ameesha Patel's HOTTEST Avatars

Despite her geeky leanings, Ameesha Patel, an Economics grad from Tuft University, began as a typical, rich daddy's girl in far-fetched romances. 

But after her career, irrespective of hits like Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Humraaz, failed to soar like her contemporaries Kareena Kapoor or Priyanka Chopra, the actress decided to break her cute reputation and take on the hottie route with a vengeance.

The Bollywood sex symbol is now ready with yet another saucy look to play Anil Kapoor's sexy 'n' silly assistant in Abbas-Mustan's slick action thriller, Race 2. 

On that note, here's looking at some of her HOTTEST avatars.

Most stars make news for their bikini show in films.

Ameesha, however, slips into a red-hot one-piece as part of her advertising campaign for a sunglasses brand.

And boy, does she work it?

While their debut Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai catapulted Hrithik Roshan to instant stardom, Ameesha, too, showed promise with her sweet 'n' spicy screen presence and free-flowing chemistry in front of the camera.

Remember this sizzling moment from the title song?

Before Race 2, Ameesha worked with the director duo on Humraaz along with Bobby Deol and Akshaye Khanna. 

The actress appears her glamorous best as the central figure of this musical thriller.

Ameesha heats things in the long-forgotten Suno Sasurjee with her swimsuit appearance in the song, Aa jaa. 

Too bad no one remembers this abysmal comedy co-starring Aftab Shivdasani and Kader Khan.

Kunal Kohli's Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic was a big bore with career-worst performances from the likes of Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji. 

Poor Ameesha is left to salvage the yawn-fest with her sexy makeover in the seductive number, Lazy lamhe.

Ameesha rocks a golden bustier and tiny shorts to justify The Man's headline 'ice maiden turns volcanic hot.'

The photo-shoot includes some much-talked about topless photographs of the bold beauty.

The Bhool Bhulaiyaa babe flaunts her perfectly toned stems for a snazzy Filmfare cover that proudly exclaims, l'm the hottest.' 

Can't argue that, right?

Looks like she liked the film's draping style so much, she decided to wear the ethnic garment exactly like that on red carpet appearance after another.

Tacky or tantalising?