Happy Birthday Kajol: Five performances that prove that no matter who is ruling the marquee, there will be no one quite like her

The daughter of Tanuja and Shomu Mukherjee, Kajol made her Bollywood debut with Bekhudi, when she was all of 17. After initial hiccups, the diva went on to become one of the most well-known actors of her generation, delivering multiple blockbusters. One of the few leading ladies, who continued to rule the screen after getting married, the Bengali beauty is a force to reckon with. Of late, the mother of two has deviated from the usual fare, appearing in shows and movies like Tribhanga, Lust Stories 2 and The Trial. As the diva turns 49 today, we revisit some of her most memorable performances...

Raj and Simran meet during a trip across Europe and fall in love, despite their different backgrounds. However, when Raj learns that Simran is already set to wed someone she has never met, he follows her to India to win her and her father over. Probably the most epic love tale ever, DDLJ till date, remains the go-to love anthem for millenials and Gen Z alike. Not to forget, the movie sent Switzerland tourism shooting up the roof for Indians! Co-starring Shah Rukh Khan as the lovable Raj.

Kajol's persona can be gauged from the fact that half the industry refused to be pitted against her in this love triangle, until real-life cousin Rani Mukerji stepped in (and aced the role nevertheless). As the tomboy Anjali, who suddenly discovers that she has feelings for her platonic best friend Rahul, who in turn has fallen head over heels for Tina, Kajol is raw, unfiltered and a delight to watch on screen. The Karan Johar directorial debut is still known for its soul stirring performances.

Hard hitting and disturbing, Dushman will make you angry, queasy and uncomfortable at the same time. As Sonia is raped and murdered by Gokul, her twin sister, Naina, takes help from retired Major Suraj Singh Rathod, a man with visual impairment, and plans to teach Gokul a lesson. However, it isn't going to be easy, as Gokul turns out to be even more sinister than expected. Co-starring Sanjay Dutt and Ashutosh Rana, as the evil Gokul.

Single mother Mandira meets Rizwan Khan, a man with Asperger's syndrome and warms up to him, slowly falling in love and tying the knot, creating a happy family. When unfortunate events unfold after the twin tower attacks, Rizwan embarks on a journey to change people's perception of his community, even as Mandira is too heartbroken to support him in his endeavour. Co-starring Shah Rukh Khan, this one is devoid of regular Karan Johar trappings and is a hard-hitting, earnest watch.

Breaking the mould that a leading lady can't don the garb of an antagonist in Bollywood, Kajol is obsessively evil in this Rajiv Rai directorial. Playing the paranoid lover Isha, who turns ballistic at the thought of losing her boyfriend Sahil, the young girl goes on a killing spree, wiping out anyone who comes her way, even as Sahil instead, is arrested for the murders. Co-starring Bobby Deol and Manisha Koirala, this one is still remembered for its haunting music.