Happy Birthday, Ranbir Kapoor: Bollywood's Shamshera @36

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has a lot to look forward to as he turns 36. He has proved his prowess as an actor in films such as Sanju Rockstar, Tamasha and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. His recently released film Sanju, which is based on the life of actor Sanjay Dutt, won him applause from the critics as well as audience.

Here's a pictorial look at his journey so far.

Ranbir Kapoor was born on September 28, 1982 in Mumbai. He is the son of actors Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. He has an elder sister named Riddhima Kapoor, who is married to businessman Bharat Sahni. Ranbir shares an adorably special relationship with niece Samara. Ranbir has had a filmy upbringing and quite literally so.

He is the grandson of actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor, grandnephew of Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, nephew of actor Randhir Kapoor and great grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor.

And if you thought that was most of Indian cinema's biggest heroes accounted for in one family, there are celebrated actresses too. Ranbir has two illustrious actress-cousins in the form of Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, who is married to Saif Ali Khan.

This image was posted on Instagram by therealkarismakapoor

Ranbir Kapoor studied at Bombay Scottish School in Mumbai and later at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. Before turning to acting, Ranbir learned the craft of filmmaking as an assistant with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and was involved in the making of the critically acclaimed 2005 film Black.

He made his debut in Bollywood opposite Sonam Kapoor in Mr Bhansali's 2007 film Saawariya which turned out to be a box office disaster, but was appreciated for its music and production design. Ranbir's performance was also touted a force to be reckoned with.

The next year, brought gold in the form of Bachna Ae Haseeno in which Ranbir co-starred with three heroines - Deepika Padukone, Bipasha Basu and Minissha Lamba - and also got to dance to an updated version of his father Rishi Kapoor's hit song from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, the title of which formed the name of the 2008 film.

Deepika and Ranbir, who began dating around this time, would go on to become a beloved onscreen Jodi. They continue to work together and share a cordial relationship in spite of a break-up in 2009.

2009 was another breakthrough year. Ranbir appeared in critically and commercially successful films like Wake Up Sid, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, for which he won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance and Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year.

The following year would see things get only better. In 2010, Ranbir delivered his biggest commercial hit till then with multi-starrer blockbuster Raajneeti. Even though his other film Anjaana Anjaani was panned by critics and fans alike, Ranbir Kapoor's chemistry with co-star Priyanka Chopra hogged the limelight.

In 2011, Ranbir received rave reviews for his performance in Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar, which went on to become one of the top-grossing films of the year. The movie earned him the Best Actor trophy at the Filmfare, Screen and IIFA Awards that year. It would go down in history as one of his greatest performances.

Barfi! would only further cement his position as one of the top actor of Bollywood. Ranbir received praise in abundance for his portrayal as a differently-abled man in the movie which was also India's official entry for the Oscars 2013. The film made more than Rs 100 crores and swept most of the film awards earning Ranbir top honours at various award ceremonies.

Ranbir achieved a hat-trick at the box office with Ayan Mukherji's Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani in 2013.

Besharam, which released later in the year, also featured his parents Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh and was a box office dud.

Things did not go well for Ranbir after that. He had no films in 2014. In 2015, Roy and Bombay Velvet sank without a trace. However, Ranbir bounced back with Tamasha in spite of the film being a moderate success.

2016's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, earned him instant success at the box office.

Jagga Jasoos, Anurag Basu's delayed caper, released this year but was a flop. Ranbir co-starred with Katrina, his ex-girlfriend.

Ranbir Kapoor featured in Rajkummar Hirani-directed Sanju, which released earlier this year. The film based on the life of actor Sanjay Dutt not only did remarkable business at the box office but also opened to positive reviews from the critics. The film also featured Dia Mirza, Paresh Rawal, Sonam Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.

(The image was posted On Instagram by sonamkapoor)

Ranbir Kapoor is currently shooting for Ayan Mukerji-directed film Brahmastra, which is a fantasy trilogy starring Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Dimple Kapadia and Mouni Roy.

(The image was posted On Instagram by ranbir_kapoor_official_)

Ranbir Kapoor also has Yash Raj Films' Shamshera in the line-up.

(The image was posted On Instagram by ranbir_kapoor_official_)

Besides his films, Ranbir Kapoor's rumoured relationship with Alia Bhatt is making headlines.

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt will be sharing screen space for the first time in Brahmastra.

Here's wishing Ranbir Kapoor a very happy birthday and a great year ahead.