It is Farhan Akhtar's birthday today, and he turns 50. In a long career spanning over two decades, Akhtar has worn many hats. He started his journey in film as a writer-director with the groundbreaking film Dil Chahta Hai. After that, donning the director hat for two more films that redefined filmmaking, Farhan shifted his gaze towards acting.

In terms of his performances, he has shown a seriousness when approaching his characters that is realistic and appealing to the core. On his birthday, here are his five best performances throughout the years:

1) Rock On!! (2008)

Making his stellar debut with this musical tale of love and friendship, Farhan Akhtar entered the world of acting in style. His rigor and vulnerability were purely unmatched. The way in which he embodied the musician was just out of this world. He played the role of Aditya Shroff, the lead singer of a rock band. It was just a pleasure to see him in scenes of conflict with his friends and how they eventually coped with it.

2) Luck by Chance (2009)

Directed by Zoya Akhtar in her debut, Farhan Akhtar played the role of Vikram Jaisingh in the film. He comes to Mumbai in order to make it big in the industry. His performance borders on having filled a certain naivety as well as maturity in handling things. It is a willfully revealing film that won a lot of accolades when it was released. More than anything, it solidified Farhan Akhtar's position as an actor.

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3) Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

Starring again in a film made by his sister, ZNMD is probably the most popular film by Farhan Akhtar. If his previous films had a certain seriousness spread throughout, ZNMD demanded that his character be fun-loving and, at the same time, carry a traumatic past. His comic timing in the film was just hilarious, and the dynamic he shared with the actors made the film truly memorable.

Also, who can forget Bagwati?

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4) Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

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5) Wazir (2016)

Wazir is a film that is not as well watched but features Farhan Akhtar in his prime. It tells the story of a suspended Anti-Terrorism Squad officer who finds a friend in a mysterious old man on a wheel chair. The way in which Akhtar's performance borders on anger that comes from a past trauma and how he makes sense of it by investigating a new case makes for an engaging watch.

Wazir remains one of Farhan's most underwatched films when it deserves to be ranked among his best.

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