All Is Well For Abhishek Bachchan at 41

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan celebrates his 41st birthday today. Last year, he celebrated his birthday with his family in Maldives. The actor, who was last seen in 2016's Housefull 3 has a slew of films lined for release next year. NDTV toasts him with a life in pics as he turns a year older.

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Born on February 5, 1976, Abhishek is the second child of Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan. His parents are counted among India's most distinguished actors. Abhishek's elder sister, Shweta, is married to businessman Nikhil Nanda. He is the grandson of poet Harivansh Rai and activist Teji Bachchan.

Dyslexic as a child, Abhishek went to a variety of schools in Delhi and in Mumbai and finally to Aiglon College in Switzerland. He was finishing up at Boston University but had to return home when his father's company, ABCL, went bankrupt.

There was no beginner's luck for Abhishek. His first film, Refugee, released in the year 2000. Directed by J P Dutta and co-starring Kareena Kapoor, it failed to make an impression at the box office. However, Abhishek was nominated for the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. His second and third films, Dhai Akshar Prem Ke opposite future wife Aishwarya Rai and Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya, which were released in the same year, were also complete failures.

Abhishek continued to act in movies like Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai but without any major success.

Apart from a dozen Bollywood films, he also acted in a few Bengali films like Desh, which featured his mother Jaya Bachchan.

In 2003, Abhishek teamed up with his first heroine Kareena once again for Sooraj Barjatya's Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon and earned praise for his performance.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, Kuch Naa Kaho and Zameen in 2003 proved duds for Abhishek.

In 2004, Abhishek achieved a breakthrough with Mani Ratnam's Yuva which not only received great critical praise, but also brought accolades for his performance.

This was also the year he acted in the first of the Dhoom films which was a major hit.

The alliance between Abhishek and Ram Gopal Varma started in 2004 with the film Naach. The film, which starred Antara Mali along with Abhishek was one of RGV's massive failures.

2005 proved very lucky for Abhishek. The first release of the year was Bunty Aur Babli opposite Rani Mukherji, one of his most frequent leading ladies. The movie did very well at the box office.

The other big hits of 2005 were Sarkar co-starring father Amitabh Bachchan, Dus and Bluffmaster.

In 2006, Abhishek co-starred with Aishwarya in Umrao Jaan. True love was waiting around the corner. They fell in love on set and announced their engagement on January 14, 2007.

Abhishek also reprised his role as ACP Jai Dixit in the superhit Dhoom: 2 in 2006, and co-starred with his father, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta in Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.

Just a month before Aishwarya and Abhishek married in 2007, Mani Ratnam's hit Guru, starring the couple, released.

Abhishek and Aishwarya married on April 20, 2007, according to traditional Hindu rites of the South Indian Bunt community, to which Aishwarya belongs.

North Indian and Bengali ceremonies were also performed. The wedding took place in a private ceremony at the Bachchan residence Prateeksha in Mumbai.

After a series of flops Abhishek came back in 2008 with Ram Gopal Varma Sarkaar Raj in 2008, a sequel to Sarkar, co-starring father Amitabh Bachchan and wife Aishwarya. The film was a hit.

Goldie Behl's Drona opposite Priyanka Chopra, where he tried his hand at sci-fi and mythology, proved one of Abhishek's biggest flops.

Abhishek restored his plunging success rate with his last film of 2008, the hugely popular Dostana directed by Tarun Mansukhani, in which he starred with John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra.

Abhishek also worked in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi 6 opposite Sonam Kapoor. The movie was a massive flop.

In 2009, Abhishek starred in R Balki's Paa opposite Vidya Balan and played dad to his own father Amitabh Bachchan, who played the role of a 13-year-old suffering from progeria.

Then came Mani Ratnam's Raavan opposite wife Aishwarya and Ashutosh Gowariker's Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey opposite Deepika Padukone in 2010. Both films sank without a trace.

Abhishek and Aishwarya also appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 2009.

Aishwarya Rai gave birth to the couple's first child, daughter Aaradhya, on November 16, 2011.

2012 proved lucky for Junior Bachchan. He received the Screen Award for Best Comedian for his role in the superhit Bol Bachchan.

Abhishek starred in Farah Khan's 2014 blockbuster film Happy New Year with Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah.

He was praised for playing the role of the street-smart Nandu Bhide, whose 'Snakes Dance' was one of the highlights of the film.

In 2015, Abhishek Bachchan was seen opposite Asin in director Umesh Shukla's All is Well. The film did average business at the box office.

Abhishek also shifted focus to promote sports like football and kabaddi in the country in 2015. He co-owns football team Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League and actively promotes the game. His wife, actress Aishwarya Rai has been spotted with him at various matches.

Junior Bachchan also owns Jaipur Pink Panthers - a franchise in the Pro Kabaddi League.

Abhishek Bachchan last featured in Housefull 3. He has also teamed up with his Dostana co-star John Abraham for Hera Pheri 3 which releases this year.

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