Here is one actor who has never shied away from experimenting with his roles.

Be it the struggling singer in Woh Saat Din to the mentally challenged simpleton in Eeshwar, Anil Kapoor always tread the untried path.

Even in hard core commercial films, AK displayed his histrionic skills with gusto, Witness Tezaab, Parinda, Virasat, Taal.

Whatever the outcome of a film, Anil, the actor, has always managed to come up trumps.

Here are a few memorable films from the actor:

The film had him essay a role that had several shades of Shammi Kapoor’s Brahmachari. As expected, AK turned up a spontaneous performance and also gave his character its distinct look by wearing the same rusty brown coat and white cap throughout.

The film was a blockbuster. Anil was rechristened Mr India and director Shekhar Kapur won acclaim for the slick entertainer.

Tezaab's huge success heralded him to the top slot, won him a Filmfare award and assured him of a successful career.

Interestingly, even as Tezaab established its lead stars as hot properties in Bollywood, its hotshot director N Chandra hasn't been able to recreate the magic

Even though both actors got equal footage, Anil emerged as the real scene-stealer. As the roguish yet lovable Lakhan, Kapoor displayed his trademark dancing skills doing a One two ka four.

This national award winning drama about the dark world of the mafia is considered an example of path breaking cinema. Parinda, also made news for its steamy bedroom scenes between Anil and Madhuri.

Like Dilip Kumar (Ram Aur Shyam), Hema Malini (Seeta Aur Geeta) and Sridevi (Chaalbaaz), Anil had a ball with the double bill. Kishen Kanhaiya's comic premise and its catchy music assured the makers of a sound BO response.

Kapoor's further association with Rakesh Roshan in Khel and Karobar turned out to be damp squibs.

Resisting the temptation to go overboard with his histrionics, Anil came up with a sincere performance of the gullible stepson.

The film put an end to a particularly lean phase of his career and also fetched him the coveted Filmfare trophy for Best Actor.

Anil Kapoor shares his views. Though Lamhe did well in cities and was a huge hit overseas, the final verdict was clearly dictated by the masses.

From the shy, infatuated Kunwar at 18 to the disciplined, sober Kunwarji at 35, Lamhe undoubtedly marks Anil's finest performances.

Kapoor, being the perfectionist that he is (like another AK-Aamir Khan) prepared himself rigorously for the role. For the first half of the film, he shed the required kilos, grew his hair and beard only to put the kilos back on for the second part.

His hard work did not go unnoticed and Virasat won him dollops of critical and public adulation.

After intensive research for his role as the materialistic musician in Taal, Anil settled for a short haircut, stylish French goatee beard and loose long shirts.

What's more, he was awarded a Filmfare trophy for Best actor in a supporting role category for this effort.

AK played an army para commander-Major Jaidev Rajvansh who gets wrongly accused of treason.

This Rajkumar Santoshi directed home production, fetched AK the most coveted National award for Best Actor for his sterling performance.

Text: Sukanya Verma