45 plus, and looking GREAT!

Forty-five might not be the new 25, but try telling filmstars that. Leading men around the world seem to be finding their stride with age, their appeal undiminished and their looks better than ever.

Here then, in increasing order of age, are some 45+ actors having a blast on and off screen.

Salman Khan (December 27, 1965)

His 45th year has been a good one for Salman. Despite starting it off with the self-scripted disaster that was Veer, he took his Being Human brand to the stage with every A-list Bollywood actress at once, and redefined the moustache with Dabangg, the biggest hit of 2010.

King Khan gave us 2010's first hit in My Name Is Khan, but has been quiet ever since.

His Kolkata Knight Riders disappointed as usual in the IPL, and we have no on-screen SRK till next year, when he comes up with actioners Ra.1 and Don 2.

Aamir didn't have a release in his 45th year, but a lot of it must have been spent counting profits from last year's box office phenomenon, 3 Idiots.

He also produced Peepli [Live], India's entry to the Oscars this year, and his Dhobi Ghat is getting great press worldwide.

Sheen might not be the biggest movie star these days. But the man features in one of America's highest-rated sitcoms, Two And A Half Men. He still looks fresh, and remains one of the most prolific womanisers in Hollywood.

Yup, Neo's crossed the 45-line.

Keanu Reeves isn't as active an actor these days, but the youthful looking star still has a loyal female fanbase and continues to be feted for his features.

For the first time in his long and twisted career, Depp's looking old in The Tourist. Then again, that might just be because he's playing a math teacher. He looks all set for action and antics in next year's Pirates Of The Caribbean 4.

Always an actor eager to experiment with his career, Pitt was last seen in Quentin Tarantino's masterful Inglourious Basterds, where he played Lt Aldo Raine. He was last *heard*, however, in the Dreamworks animated comedy Megamind, where he played the superhero Metro Man. The film releases in India this week.

It isn't any surprise that Clooney, now 49, is just looking better and better. His appeal has always been that of the mature leading man, and George is now making and acting in films that appeal to that grey-haired side of his. Good call, we say.

Once responsible for much female sighing as he played Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, Firth is now hitting his career-peak as an actor. After much critical acclaim -- and a Best Actor nod -- for his work in last year's A Single Man, this year sees him as a frontrunner again for The King's Speech.

His last few films might not have quite gone the distance -- both Love & Music and Did You Hear About The Morgans? were commercial and critical failures -- but Grant continues to provide a charming English presence. The Four Weddings And A Funeral hangover clearly still lasts.