13 Film Celebs who celebrated Birthdays in February

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Following last month’s first of a series on Hindi cinema celebs whose birthdays fall in a calendar month, here is a look at the February faves.

Jackie Shroff, Feb 1

This model was noticed by Dev Anand on a hoarding and was given a small role as a villain’s sidekick in Swami Dada. A year later, it was Subhash Ghai who made him a top Hero. Still in demand as a character artiste, Jackie has indisputably proved that models are not teakwood on camera. From his generation, he also holds the record for kissing the maximum heroines! He is also adept by now at every kind of role from hero to villain, in films as well as web series.

Waheeda Rehman, Feb 5

The Guru Dutt discovery was the first top star to reach that level after starting out in a negative lead in C.I.D. and also became his alleged real-life ladylove. For a while, the actress had shifted to doing business, but as a performer-cum-Kathak dancer, she excelled in multiple films across generations, forming a successful team with Dev Anand and working with almost every top star all the way to Amitabh Bachchan.

Urmila, Feb 4

She began as a child artiste in Masoom and graduated to lead roles with Narsimha. Ram Gopal Varma made Urmila a muse of sorts with Rangeela, transforming her into a hot diva and doing multiple films with her including the successful Satya, Jungle and Bhoot. She had a relatively short and not-soprolific innings, but has managed to be the leading lady of all the Khans, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor.

Abhishek Bachchan, Feb. 5

Living permanently with the cross of being his son and comparison to his legendary father Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan had to wait a full four years to get his first hit and become a star. But in 23 years since his debut with Refugee at the turn of the millennium, he has managed to carve his own niche in both films (Sharaarat—a flop, the Dhoom franchise, Guru, Paa, Bol Bachchan) and OTT (Breathe: Into The Shadows) with variegated performances ranging from comedy to villainy.

Amrita Singh, Feb 9

Her marriage to Saif Ali Khan might have hit rough weather, but Dharmendra’s Betaab discovery Amrita Singh remains a powerhouse performer, also known paradoxically now as Sara Ali Khan’s mother. Give her any role from positive to negative—Amrita shines through them all, as Naam, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Aaina, Aurangzeb and 2 States proved.

Randhir Kapoor, Feb. 15

The eldest son of Raj Kapoor never reached his father’s heights as an actor or as filmmaker, but the jovial Randhir Kapoor was a definite star material for almost a decade with a yen for light-hearted roles in films like Jawani Diwani, Raampur Ka Lakshman, Haath Ki Safai and Chacha Bhatija among others. As a director, he showed his capability best with Henna in 1991. He remains the only major star to have made a twin debut—as both leading man and director—in the 1971 Kal Aaj Aur Kal.

Sameer, Feb 24

Easily the most prolific lyricist in the post-Anand Bakshi generation, Sameer is now in the Limca Book of World Records for that reason. Beginning way back in 1983 with Bekhabar, he completes four decades in movies with last year’s Janhit Mein Jaari and has worked with multiple generations of composers from Chitragupta, who began in the 1940s, to Sachin-Jigar and beyond. He is the son of veteran lyricist Anjaan.

Sajid Nadiadwala, Feb 18

Sajid Nadiadwala has been in his family business—cinema, for over three decades now. He has had a bad run of late, but his oeuvre with diverse directors includes Judwaa, Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, 2 States, Heyy Babyy, the Housefull and Baaghi franchises, Kick, Chhichhore and the Marathi blockbuster Lai Bhaari as only writer.

Sooraj R. Barjatya, Feb 22

The Rajshri banner’s in-house wunderkind has given us the biggest hits of the entire 1980s—Maine Pyar Kiya, which gave us Salman Khan, as well as the 1990s—Hum Aapke Hain Koun!…, an unbeaten record for any filmmaker. He has also directed just one flop in eight films in a career that is into its fourth decade. Last year, his Uunchai was also a sleeper hit.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Feb 24

Here is another brilliant and stylized filmmaker who now also composes his own music. Sanjay Leela Bhansali began as a choreographer and has also written his films. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Black, Goliyon Ki RasLeela—RamLeela, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Gangubai Kathiawadi and two films that he produced—Rowdy Rathore and Gabbar…is Back are among his successes. He is now making web debut with his dream project, the forthcoming Heeramandi.

Danny Denzongpa, Feb 25

The actor who was introduced in Mere Apne (1971)  has also sung (including lending playback for Johnny Walker in Yeh Gulistan Hamara!) songs in some of his movies. A powerhouse performer, come positive or negative roles (Dhund, Chor Machaye Shor, Love Story, Aitbaar, Agneepath (1990) and finally Uunchai last year) he has demonstrated his all-rounder brilliance. For good measure, he also directed the thriller, Phir Wohi Raat.

Shahid Kapoor, Feb 25

His web debut, Farzi, is now being appreciated. The child model started out 20 years ago in the teenybopper film Ishq Vishq and gradually evolved into a fine dramatic actor with films like Jab We Met, Udta Punjab, Kaminey, Kabir Singh and Jersey. He is also the son of veteran thespian Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azim.

Prakash Jha, Feb 27

The director of hard-hitting socials like Hip Hip Hurray and Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne is basically into cinema but has also experimented with the small screen and the web. Mrityudand, Gangaajal, Apharan and Raajneeti apart, his greatest triumph, arguably, is his web saga, Aashram.