Happy Birthday Pooja Bhatt

B-town's bad girl Pooja Bhatt was the hottest star kid on the block in the early 90s. On her birthday, we take a look at her journey so far...

Born on February 24, 1972, Pooja dreamt of becoming an astronaut as a child.

The dreams to touch the sky remained just that ? dreams. Pooja Bhatt made her Bollywood debut with the highly acclaimed movie <i>Daddy</i>, directed by her real-life father, Mahesh Bhatt.

The dreams to touch the sky remained just that – dreams. Pooja Bhatt made her Bollywood debut with the highly acclaimed movie Daddy, directed by her real-life father, Mahesh Bhatt.

All of 17, Pooja impressed one and all with her power-packed performance as a teenager, who tries her best to save her estranged father from alcoholism.

After <i>Daddy</i>, the young actress again got a chance to work with her father in the romantic-comedy <i>Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahi</I>. She played a rich and arrogant daughter, who falls in love with a journalist.

After Daddy, the young actress again got a chance to work with her father in the romantic-comedy Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahi. She played a rich and arrogant daughter, who falls in love with a journalist.

The movie which had Aamir Khan playing the male lead became a huge hit and so did its lead pair. The rumour mills went abuzz with reports of increasing closeness between Pooja and Aamir.

A part of the bold and beautiful brigade in Bollywood, Pooja appeared on a magazine cover in a daring lip-lock with her father. The father-daughter duo received a lot of criticism for their bold act.

If that wasn't enough, Pooja went a step ahead and posed (again for a magazine) covered only in body paint. Bollywood was ready to crown its next queen of controversy.

Pooja teamed-up with her father for the third time in a row for <i>Sadak</I>. She played the role of a young girl, who was forced into prostitution. Pooja managed to make an impact on the audience. Sadly, <i>Sadak</i> turned out to be the last major hit of Pooja's short stint in Bollywood.

Pooja teamed-up with her father for the third time in a row for Sadak. She played the role of a young girl, who was forced into prostitution. Pooja managed to make an impact on the audience. Sadly, Sadak turned out to be the last major hit of Pooja's short stint in Bollywood.

Pooja gave a string of flops with <i>Prem Deewane</I>, <i>Junoon</I>, <i>Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayi</i>, <i>Sir</i> and <i>Chaahat</I> to name a few.

Pooja gave a string of flops with Prem Deewane, Junoon, Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayi, Sir and Chaahat to name a few.

Pooja then turned to film production with <i>Tamanna</i>. Made under the banner of Pooja Bhatt Productions, the movie starring Paresh Rawal was based on an eunuch, who adopts an abandoned child, played by Pooja herself. The movie got much critical acclaim, but didn't do well at the box office.

Pooja then turned to film production with Tamanna. Made under the banner of Pooja Bhatt Productions, the movie starring Paresh Rawal was based on an eunuch, who adopts an abandoned child, played by Pooja herself. The movie got much critical acclaim, but didn't do well at the box office.

Pooja shifted her focus to production. Her next attempt <i>Dushman</i>, starring Kajol in a double role, was a blockbuster. It also launched the careers of Ashutosh Rana and director Tanuja Chandra.

Pooja shifted her focus to production. Her next attempt Dushman, starring Kajol in a double role, was a blockbuster. It also launched the careers of Ashutosh Rana and director Tanuja Chandra.

Her next movie as a producer was <i>Zakhm</i>, which was based on Mahesh Bhatt's own life. Pooja took the challenging task of playing the role of her own grandmother on screen and gave an astonishing performance. The movie also starred Ajay Devgn.

Her next movie as a producer was Zakhm, which was based on Mahesh Bhatt's own life. Pooja took the challenging task of playing the role of her own grandmother on screen and gave an astonishing performance. The movie also starred Ajay Devgn.

Pooja also produced <i>Jism</i> starring John Abraham and Bipasha Basu. <i>Jism</i> is considered as one of the sexiest movies of Bollywood.

Pooja also produced Jism starring John Abraham and Bipasha Basu. Jism is considered as one of the sexiest movies of Bollywood.

Moving from production to direction, Pooja made her debut with <i>Paap</i> in 2004, starring John Abraham and Udita Goswami. The movie was a major disappointment.

Moving from production to direction, Pooja made her debut with Paap in 2004, starring John Abraham and Udita Goswami. The movie was a major disappointment.

Her luck didn't change with other box office flops such as <i>Holiday</i>, <i>Dhokha</i> and <I>Kajraare</i>.

Her luck didn't change with other box office flops such as Holiday, Dhokha and Kajraare.

Pooja is married to VJ Manish Makhija aka Udham Singh. The two apparently fell in love while shooting for <i>Paap</i>.

Pooja is married to VJ Manish Makhija aka Udham Singh. The two apparently fell in love while shooting for Paap.

Pooja Bhatt is now busy with the casting of <i>Jism 2</i> which promises to be bigger and bolder. Apparently, Mallika Sherawat has been roped in to play the female lead. The male lead is yet to be finalised. Looks like Bollywood's original controversy queen is getting set to regain her lost crown.

Pooja Bhatt is now busy with the casting of Jism 2 which promises to be bigger and bolder. Apparently, Mallika Sherawat has been roped in to play the female lead. The male lead is yet to be finalised. Looks like Bollywood's original controversy queen is getting set to regain her lost crown.