Birthday Special: Ranbir Kapoor, the constant heartthrob

Five years. Twelve movies. Sounds good.

But that's not the impressive part. What's truly commendable is how Ranbir Kapoor has emerged as someone special in every single of these films.

From the disastrous Saawariya to the money-spinning Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, his glowing goodness, touching vulnerability and infectious exuberance has imprinted his performances.

The Besharam star turns 31 tomorrow.

Here's tracing the heartthrob and his most disarming moments on screen.

Throughout Sanjay Leela Bhansali's pretentious artistry, debutant Ranbir serenades Sonam Kapoor with oodles of boyish charm.

The unrequited romance arrives at its heartbreaking realisation when he magnanimously lets go of his ladylove to be with her Mr Right in a tender, touching turn.

He loses the girl but wins over the audience. And to achieve this out of a bad movie is nothing short of a feat.

Ranbir starts out as the typical casanova who breaks many a heart before his own gets punctured by the one he's actually serious about.

The incident marks a turning point in his conscience and RK sets out to appease and apologise to the women he's previously hurt (Minnisha Lamba, Bipasha Basu) by doing everything it takes to redeem himself in their eyes as well as his own.

As the happy-go-lucky brat born with a silver spoon in his mouth, RK's Sid comes-of-age when he moves in with the sensible Konkona Sen Sharma.

From the spoilt, clueless Sid to the adorable fella who creates a birthday cake out of bread slices smeared with jams in layers for his roomie, Ranbir is cuteness personified.

All through Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Ranbir goes out of his way to live up to his promise 'no complaints no demands' to Katrina Kaif.

From rescuing her out of an unwanted marriage to assisting her in eloping with the guy she loves, RK's Prem conceals his own affections like a true blue Bollywood hero.

One can find success even in the most unscrupulous business by adopting honest methods is what the dedicated Rocket Singh is conditioned to believe.

And he's proved right through Ranbir Kapoor's heartfelt dedication in Shimit Amin's feel good gem.

Ranbir Kapoor's brain functions like a fox in the murky world of Prakash Jha's political film. 

But what sets him apart from others in his clan is that his shrewd strategy is a means to protect his family and propagate nation wide progress. 

Now here's a leader you can look up to, however, make-believe.

Even an entirely silly premise like Anjaana Anjaani has a solid Ranbir Kapoor going for it.

In the film's only sensible scene, he guides the suicide prone Priyanka Chopra to take charge of her life, requesting her to return back to her old life (and romance) instead of drifting into nothingness even though he's head over heels in love with her.

Ranbir Kapoor wins over the kids on screen and off it with his high-energy moves in Tai Tai Phish.

The actor is visibly comfortable with the bachcha party and the fun vibe is for all to see.

Wouldn't he be the perfect actor to play Aamir Khan's role if Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke was remade?

Ranbir's trance-inducing devotion to music is the heartbeat of his performance as the mercurial Jordan in Rockstar.

And the time his heartbroken self spends inside a dargah understanding the soul of music is one of his most stirring, uncorrupted moments of screen.

Touching lives come naturally to the sweet, unassuming Barfi!

But it's Ranbir Kapoor's almost parent-like warmth and commitment with which he nurtures and takes care of Priyanka Chopra's childlike Jhilmil that tugs the heartstrings like no other.

As the fun-loving, wandering nomad of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, it's sweet to watch how Ranbir's considerate words boosts a shy Deepika Padukone's confidence and helps her overcome her hesitation to be herself during a group holiday.

Understandably, she falls in love with him. So does everyone else.