Born on November 4, 1980, into a Punjabi family, Mink Brar, who is famously known as late actor Dev Anand's discovery, is of Indian origin and being born and brought up in Germany. She completed her education from Friedrich Ebert Schule, Frankfurt. (All photos/Mink Brar's official Facebook account and mid-day archives) 

In picture: Mink Brar and Milind Soman in Katputtli.

The Germany-born Indian actor made her Bollywood debut in Dev Anand's Pyar Ka Tarana (1993). She was 13 when she entered the Hindi film industry.

Mink Brar soon became popular as the actress with a brazen attitude, thanks to her numerous blink-and-miss roles in films such as Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, Oops!, Ajnabee, Raaz and Chalo Ishq Ladaaye.

It won't be wrong to say that Mink Brar may have shown some promise in Anil Kapoor, Arvind Swamy and Juhi Chawla-starrer Saat Rang Ke Sapne, but her career was more or less defined by 2003's Oops, which was actor Deepak Tijori's directorial.

Mink Brar even tried her luck in the South film industry. However, down south, the actress earned fame for her glamourous avatar and struggled to prove her acting mettle.

A lesser-known fact about Mink Brar is that the Indo-German model-actress wanted to be a magistrate, and acting just happened to her accidentally.

In an old interview with IANS, Mink Brar talked about her unique name. She said, "Mink is an animal that loves water and freedom, and is known for its precious fur."

Mink Brar aspired to become a successful filmmaker and in 2006, she joined hands with her brother Punnu Brar to start their production house called Bro and Sis Productions. In picture: A childhood picture of Mink with her brother Punnu.

They produced their first film Katputtli, in which Mink played the lead role. However, the movie bombed at the Box Office.

On the television front, in 2009, Mink Brar participated in the dance reality show Dancing Queen. However, she got eliminated soon.

She stayed away from the limelight for almost two years, and came back to the glam world in 2011 with Bigg Boss. She also appeared in the TV show - Zor Ka Jhatka - Total Wipeout, hosted by Shah Rukh Khan. In picture: Mink Brar inside the Bigg Boss house in 2012.

Talking about her on and off relationship with the glam world, Mink Brar had told mid-day in an old interview, "I have never left the industry but yes, I want to get in touch with people again. I want to show my real side to everyone. I want to win the money, get work but I will not expose myself for that."

We have to admit that despite having done less work, Mink Brar is one of those celebrities who are not easily forgotten by the audience.

Mink Brar is currently busy with a few social causes she's part of along with her brother. The news of her reentering Bollywood doesn't hold ground as of now.

Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Mink Brar!