Happy Birthday Akshay Kumar!

Today, 9th September, is the birthday of a popular actor and producer known fondly as King Kumar, Khiladi Kumar, or Khiladi! It is the birthday of none other than Akshay Kumar!

Born on 9th September 1967 in Amritsar, Punjab, as Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia, Kumar turns 47 today. Kumar was raised in Delhi's Chandni Chowk before his family moved to Koliwada, Mumbai. Kumar studied at Don Bosco School followed by Guru Nanak Khalsa College. Kumar is married to Twinkle Khanna and the couple have two children: a son, Aarav, and a daughter, Nitara.

Kumar began his entertainment career as a model before appearing in movies. He bagged his first lead role in Saugandh (1991), though he appeared in an uncredited role as martial arts instructor in Aaj (1987). His first breakthrough role was in Khiladi (1992), which was the beginning of a long association with the Khiladi movies, earning him the nickname of Khiladi Kumar. In 1994, he played a police officer in two top films, Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Mohra, which further earned him the title of action hero. Kumar continued to prove his mettle in acting with many top films such as Yeh Dillagi (1994), Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) and Dhadkan (2000).

After proving himself as an action and romantic hero, Kumar turned his attention to comedy with the hit film Hera Pheri (2000). The movie did excellently and proved Kumar to be a well-rounded actor. Kumar also played a negative role in Khiladi 420 (2000), in which he did all the stunts himself, and Ajnabee (2001). These further  established Kumar as an all-rounder actor. His role of a blind astute man in Aankhen (2002) earned him much critical acclaim as well. Kumar went on to star in many hit films like Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Andaaz (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Aitraaz (2004), Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005), Garam Masala (2005), Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006), Namastey London (2007), Heyy Babyy (2007), Welcome (2007), Singh is Kinng (2008), Housefull (2010), Housefull 2 (2012), Rowdy Rathore (2012), OMG - Oh My God! (2012), Special 26 (2013), Holiday (2014) and Its Entertainment (2014).

In 2008, Kumar founded the Hari Om Entertainment production company, which has produced several successful films including Singh is Kinng (2008), Patiala House (2011), OMG - Oh My God! (2012), and Khiladi 786 (2012).

Kumar is not just successful on the big screen, but also on the small screen. In 2008, he appeared as the host of the first season of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. He was so well-liked that the makers brought him back for the second season and then again for the fourth season. In each season, he was seen challenging the contestants and pushing them to the next level while also showcasing many of the harder stunts himself. As of this weekend, Kumar has started hosting Life OK's Dare to Dance, where he navigates the contestants through some extreme dancing scenarios with a fresh mix of dance and stunts.

Kumar has won many awards including Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role for Ajnabee (2001), Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for Garam Masala (2005), IIFA Best Villain Award for Ajnabee (2001), IIFA Best Comedian Award for Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), and the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award for Best Actor for Rowdy Rathore (2012).

Kumar currently has The Shaukeens (2014), Gabbar (2015), and Baby (2015) in his kitty. It was also announced that he would be appearing in Karan Johar's movie, tentatively titled as Brothers, expected to release in 2015 as well.

On his birthday here is a mini-playlist from some of Kumar's top movies: