Happy Birthday Shahid!

The sweet, spicy and sexy Shahid Kapoor turns the big Three-Oh today!
Take an up close and personal look at his journey so far... (Image Courtesy: Getty)

Shahid, born on February 25, 1981, is the son of actors Pankaj Kapoor and Neelima Azeem.

He was all of three years old when his parents split and he moved in with his mother.

This transition didn't affect Shahid's relationship with his father. Till date, he shares a great rapport with both, his father and stepmother Supriya Pathak.

His schooling began at Rajhans Vidyalaya, Mumbai, yet his passion was to act/perform. His skillful supple moves come from his dance training at Shiamak Davar Institute for the Performing Arts.

And with his cute boyish looks, the lady love rumours came often. He was linked to his first leading lady Hrishita Bhatt, with whom he starred in the Aryan song Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra.

Shahid was then pretty much in the spotlight courtesy his long-drawn-out and torrid affair with Kareena Kapoor.
The two met on the sets of Fida and fell in love, what seemed, instantly.

Very open about their relationship, the two were spotted almost everywhere together, even in films.

2005 was a controversial year for the couple, when an MMS video did rounds of the pair kissing.

Alas, after almost four years of Shahid-Bebo going strong, the two broke up and went in different directions in 2007.
While Kareena got serious with Saif Ali Khan, Shahid was linked to a string of his co-stars.

First there were rumours of him and Vivah co-star Amrita Rao doing rounds in tinseltown.

And then his Kismat Konnection with Vidya sparked more interest in the pair than in the movie itself, a rumour that both denied.

Shahid was also linked up to tennis player Sania Mirza, but neither of them confirmed the relationship.
On a recent episode of Koffee with Karan, Shahid even commented that 'the ball was never in his court'.

Soon enough there were reports of Shahid hitting it off almost immediately with his Kaminey leading lady Priyanka Chopra.
After being spotted at parties, movie premieres and many other do's, the two even sat on Karan Johar's 'Kouch' together, letting on more than there is but yet nearly not enough.
During the recent income tax raids, it was even reported that Shahid opened Priyanka's door, yet the two haven't confirmed that they are a couple.

On a career front, Shahid got his big Bollywood break vis-à-vis several music videos and ads, including the Pepsi commercial with Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji post Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

While learning dance at Shiamak Davar Institute for the Performing Arts he was discovered by Subhash Ghai.
Shahid performed as a background dancer in the song Kahin Aag Lage Lag Jawe along with actress Aishwarya Rai and in Dil To Pagal Hai in 1999 of Yash Raj banner with actress Karisma Kapoor.

Shahid made his official debut with Ken Ghosh's film Ishq Vishk Pyaar Vyaar. His performance earned him a Filmfare Best Male Debut Award.

In the same year Shahid once again worked with director Ken Ghosh in Fida, where he co-starred alongside Kareena Kapoor and Fardeen Khan. The film failed to do well at the box office. Then he appeared in Dil Maange More opposite Soha Ali Khan, Tulip Joshi, and Ayesha Takia.

John M Matthan's drama Shikhar showcased Shahid's depth as a performer, and earned him a Best Actor nomination.

In 2006, Shahid appeared in films like 36 China Town and Priyadarshan's comedy Chup Chup Ke, both opposite his then lady love Kareena Kapoor.

In 2006 itself Shahid gave his biggest hit Vivah. The film directed by Sooraj Barjatya again put Shahid in the first row of Bollywood. His character portrayal of Prem, aka Bholu, earned him yet another nomination in the Best Actor category at the Star Screen Awards.

But the still-rising star faced his share box of 'blah' filmas that failed to impress. In 2007, Shahid appeared in Ahmed Khan's Fool and Final.

But in the same year, he gave his personal best alongside girlfriend Kareena in Imtiaz Ali's romantic comedy Jab We Met.
But by the time the film was declared the biggest hit of the year, the magical duo had called it quits.

In 2008, Shahid teamed up with Vidya Balan for Aziz Mirza's Kismat Konnection.

Shahid was double trouble in 2009 with his double role as Charlie and Guddu in Kaminey. Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, with Priyanka Chopra as the lead actress, the film was an out and out blockbuster.

Later the same year, Shahid appeared in Anurag Singh's romantic comedy Dil Bole Hadippa! alongside Rani Mukherjee. But the film marked Rani's performance whereas that of Shahid went unnoticed.

In the begining of 2010, Shahid was seen in Ken Ghosh`s film Chance Pe Dance alongside Genelia D'Souza. Even his smooth dance moves couldn't save the film from tanking at the box office.

It was quickly followed up with Paathshaala, opposite Ayesha Takia and Nana Patekar, a film that received plenty of criticism.

Another 2010 release was Badmaash Company, an above average grosser with Shahid, Anushka Sharma, Meiyang Chang and Vir Das. Though the film received mixed reviews, this time around it was Shahid's performance that was appreciated.

Trying to recreate the magic of Jab We Met, director Satish Kaushik brought Shahid and his ex Kareena back together in Milenge Milenge. The film had such a poor opening that it seemed that the once-blessed-couple are now cursed!

In store for him, is Daddy Pankaj Kapoor's film Mausam, where Shahid is apparently a pilot. Starring across Sonam Kapoor, Mausam is said to be inspired by Tom Cruise's Top Gun.

Just short of completing 30 years, Shahid was also titled PETA Asia's sexiest vegetarian.
And since there is a possibility of a lady love already (listen up Priyanka!), here's wishing Shahid luck for the year ahead!