In pictures: Five great films of birthday boy Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir teams up with Deepika again in another unique film from Imtiaz Ali which has acquired something of a cult status over the years after largely being ignored upon its release. In an attempt to escape from his life, Ranbir reinvents himself as alter-ego Don on holiday in Corsica, a character who Deepika’s Tara falls madly in love with. Both are living a lie, a rather glorious one. But what will happen when she meets the real Ved who is devoid of passion and not at all charismatic? An allegorical tale, Tamasha was a bold move by Imtiaz Ali and appreciation for this 2015 film continues to grow.

The Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika Padukone equation has always set the silver screen on fire and this rather sweet 2013 romance is no exception. While we're not sure if the glamorous Deepika could ever completely convince us of a 'nerdy' act, her studious, conformist Naina Talwar won us and Ranbir's wanderlust-struck Kabir over by the end of this engaging love story between two completely different personalities who discover new facts about each other when they undertake a trip to Manali together. What you're left wondering about at the end of the film, is though, would you give up a dream for a loved one? Or is your loved one 'the dream'?

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali's tale of a troubled musician - Janardhan Jakhar or 'Jordan' - played by Ranbir, divided critics and audiences upon its release in 2011. Some called it 'static' while others described it as 'an absolutely engaging affair'. Our take? Ranbir Kapoor steals the show as his musical genius grows through the film while an obsessive love threatens to destroy him. For those who felt 'Rockstar' 'goes nowhere' perhaps that was Imtiaz Ali's idea in the first place, of portraying life as a messy affair whose loose ends can never be easily tied up. Perhaps with a shorter run time and tighter script, it may have been a massive hit.

Selected as India's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 85th Academy Awards, 2012's Barfi! charmed audiences with its compelling story of a deaf-mute boy Murphy 'Barfi' Johnson (Ranbir) and his relationships with two women, Shruti (Ileana D'Cruz) and the autistic Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra). City Times met up with the talented cast when they dropped into the Khaleej Times office for a chat, with the suave Ranbir winning us over with his wit.

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