Among the new genre of actors, he has carved a niche for himself picking ideation with every role he selects, every venture he opts. Turning 42 years where he stands lets find out.

We try here to summarize Aamir Khan who intelligently turned himself into an offbeat actor in commercial films from a romantic hero.

'Lagaan', 'Rang de Basanti', 'Mangal Pandey: The Rising', and 'Sarfarosh' like films are a testimony to the fact which earned him the title of 'The Perfectionist' amongst his colleagues.

With 'Dil Chahta Hai', he captured erstwhile friendship story plot in a complete different manner earning moolah for the film.

In fact Aamir is inventing himself with every new film assuring his fans of complete make over in every next film. Be it the Cola ad campaigns or any film he fits himself to its best.

Aamir is known for working on only one film at a time, shifting from the usual Bollywood trend.

However, he seems to have increased his pace of work giving two releases in 2006, 'Rang de Basanti' and 'Fanaa'.

Three of his films 'Kajri', 'Lajjo' and 'Taare Zameen Pe' are scheduled for release in 2007.

Till now, Aamir has been nominated for 15 Best actor awards.

He started his career as a child artiste in the films 'Yaadon Ki Baraat' (1973) and now has rose to the brainchild behind his umpteen block busters from his first leading role success 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' to latest 'Rang De Basanti'.

After making his debut, Aamir's most successful films included 'Dil' (1990), 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander' (1992), 'Rangeela' (1995) and 'Raja Hindustani' (1996).

Aamir believes in quality works rather than the number of the film which elevated him to the ever top actors of the Bollywood.

'Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India' was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, 2001.

'Rang De Basanti' (2006) was India's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Interesting facts about him

Aamir said that he would only accept a National Film Award and has turned down several invitations to the other movie award functions in the past.

In August of 2003, Aamir Khan was voted 2nd in the list of "the Greatest Actors" in the film personalities category in the Best of India poll conducted by a news channel putting him at second place just ahead of showman Raj Kapoor.

In an opinion poll in 2006, the majority of the online users voted Aamir Khan as the "Real King Khan" ahead of Shah Rukh Khan.

Aamir was initially unwilling to play DJ in Rang De Basanti as he was dubious about his Punjabi accent in the film but after that it is a history.

He grew up moustaches to imbibe the character in historical epic 'Mangal Pandey: the Rising', adding curiosity for the film.

Aamir has refused to terminate his contract with Coke but promised to take up the issue with the Cola giant.

His family background

Aamir was born into a film industry clan and is descended from Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

His father Tahir Hussain is a producer; his uncle Nasir Hussain was a director. He has acted in a few films directed by his cousin Mansoor Khan. He is the brother of actor Faisal Khan, with whom he acted in the 2000 film 'Mela'.

In 2003, Aamir Khan was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award from the Government of India.

And when in the film industry, it is said that to maintain success is not easy. Definitely, there is something which keeps him going for Aamir does not want his birthday to be ugly reminders of the advancing age.