Happy Birthday, Rana Daggubati: Still The Leader @ 35

Rana Daggubati. Enough said, isn't it? South actor Rana Daggubati's popularity shot to the sky with SS Rajamouli's box office redefining Baahubali films. Though he is best remembered as Bhallaladeva from the period piece, Nene Raju Nene Mantri, Rudramadevi and The Ghazi Attack are some of his most popular films. As the actor blows out 35 candles on his birthday today, let's celebrate his special day with 10 best photos from his social media accounts.

On the eve of Rana Daggubati's birthday, a photo of the actor from the biopic on legendary actor, producer, filmmaker and politician NTR, was released last year. Rana Daggubati played the onscreen son-in-law of N T Rama Rao - Chandrababu Naidu.

(courtesy NBKFilms_)

Rana Daggubati, who played the "meaner and stronger" Bhallaladeva in Baahubali: The Conclusion, underwent rigorous training in order to suit the part with the perfect physique. Rana trained in martial arts and followed a tough workout routine for two-and-a-half hours each day over five months. Rana Daggubati, who played both the older and the younger versions of the character in the second Baahubali film, had beefed up to 108-110 kilos and then dropped to 92-93 kilos within a short span.

(courtesy RanaDaggubati )

Rana Daggubati, along with the Team of Baahubali - director SS Rajamouli and co-star Prabhas - are all set to make a blockbuster appearance on Karan Johar's Koffee With Karan. Here's a million dollar click from the sets!

(courtesy ranadaggubati)

On Prabhas' birthday in October in 2018, we were treated to this delightful click, which appears to be from the sets of Baahubali. In the period piece, Rana played the villainous role of Bhallaladeva while Prabhas, starred in dual roles in the film. The titular characters were Bhallaladeva's nemesis in the film's storyline but the story was clearly very different off camera.

(courtesy ranadaggubati)

Because, who doesn't like Baahubali throwbacks? That's Anushka Shetty (Baahubali's Devasena) at the back.

(courtesy ranadaggubati)

When Rana Daggubati had a chance encounter with "the legend" AKA Kamal Haasan and "learnt in an hour more than what you've learnt in a year."

(courtesy ranadaggubati)

Rana Daggubati or Thanos? Looks like the actor prefers the undefeatable villain from the Marvel Cinematic Universe as his alternate identity.

Rana Daggubati had got the Internet excited as he shared his first look from Haathi Mere Saathi. Haathi Mere Saathi is said to be a tribute of sorts to Rajesh Khanna, who famously starred in the 1971 classic movie of the same name.

We also chanced upon this epic throwback photo of the actor, featuring much younger versions of himself and Telugu star Ram Charan. Did you know Ram Charan and Rana Daggubati are school friends?

(courtesy ranadaggubati)

Rana Daggubati, who sported bearded looks in the Baahubali films and then in Nene Raju Nene Mantri and other films, opted for a "face under the bear look" for 1945 - a bilingual period film. "Alright the beard gone!! Moving into another period!! Working on a new look for 1945," he wrote on Instagram and sent the Internet into some sort of a meltdown!

(courtesy ranadaggubati)