Aamir's life in pics

Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan celebrates his 46th birthday today. We gift him a life-recap on this day.

This is young Aamir in Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973). This was his entry into Bollywood.

Aamir's first solo film as an adult was Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1988. He starred opposite Juhi Chawla in the film. Juhi Chawla went on to star opposite him in a number of films. Qayamat Se... was based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

In his early years, Aamir was doing as many as three to four films a year. One such year was 1990 when he appeared in four flicks including Dil where he starred opposite Madhuri Dixit.

In 1991, Aamir starred opposite Pooja Bhatt in the romantic comedy Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi.

In 1992, Aamir appeared in the hit film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar opposite Ayesha Jhulka and Pooja Bedi.

Based roughly on The Sound of Music came the huge hit of 1993, Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke. Once again, Aamir played opposite Juhi in the film.

1994 saw Aamir acting along with Salman Khan, Karishma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon in Andaz Apna Apna. While Aamir and Salman stopped working together after that film, they have now expressed a wish to appear in a movie together.

In 1995, Aamir starred opposite Manisha Koirala in Akele Hum Akele Tum. The film was copied from the Hollywood flick Kramer vs Kramer starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep.

Aamir had a unique role in his second 1995 flick Baazi. He dressed up as a woman for this movie.

The year 1995 is important in Aamir's life as that was when Rangeela released. Despite a stellar performance in the film, he lost the Filmfare award to Shah Rukh (for Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge). An angered Aamir swore from that point on to never attend popular Indian awards again.

Aamir appeared in the superhit film of 1996, Raja Hindustani, opposite Karishma Kapoor. This time Filmfare decided to bestow the Best Actor award on him, but true to his word, he never appeared to collect it.

In 1997, Aamir came in the multi-starrer Ishq. He was paired opposite Juhi again, while the other couple were Ajay Devgn and Kajol.

Aamir tried to diversify in 1998 with Ghulam, where he not only played the central role but also sang the famous song Kya bolti tu.

Also in 1998, Aamir worked with Deepa Mehta for the second film in the Elements trilogy. The film was titled 1947 Earth. Aamir was paired opposite Nandita Das in the film.

In 1999, Aamir acted in Sarfarosh opposite Sonali Bendre.

Another landmark year in Aamir's life was 2001, when Aamir turned producer with Lagaan. India and the world loved the film and it managed to secure an Oscar nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

The year 2001 also saw Dil Chahta Hai where Aamir was paired opposite Preity Zinta. It was a multi-starrer film that also had Akshaye Khanna and Saif Ali Khan in the cast. This was Farhan Akhtar's directorial debut.

The years following 2001 were tough for Aamir as he went through a divorce. He was next seen after four years, in 2005, in The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey. Towards the end of 2005, Aamir married Kiran Rao who had been an assistant director on Lagaan.

In 2006, Aamir hit the screens with Rang De Basanti which was an instant hit.

Aamir also acted in Fanaa in 2006, opposite Kajol who was making her Bollywood comeback with this film.

In 2007, Aamir's Bollywood career took another major turn as he became a director with Taare Zameen Par. The movie was India's official entry to the Oscars, but it never made it to the shortlist.

The biggest hit of Aamir's career came in 2008 with Ghajini.

In 2009 came 3 Idiots, which became the highest grossing Bollywood film of the year. Aamir became the nation's icon as Rancho in the movie.

2010 had been a low-key affair for Aamir. He starred in his wife Kiran Rao's directorial debut Dhobi Ghat, which bombed at the box office.

These days Aamir is busy shooting for Reema Kagti's next venture. The actor has been sporting a moustache with elan for the movie which also stars Rani Mukherjee.

Aamir was awarded the Padma Bhushan this year.