Born on September 1, 1973, Ram Kapoor did his studies from Nainital's Sherwood College, where he was introduced to acting. As a challenge and an order from his head captain, Ram Kapoor auditioned for the annual school theatrical production of Charley's Aunt and performed the lead role. Under the direction and tutelage of Amir Raza Hussein, Kapoor found his career path and realised his love for acting. (All pictures courtesy/Ram Kapoor's Instagram account, mid-day archives)

In picture: An almost unrecognisable Ram Kapoor during his early days in showbiz.

Ram Kapoor debuted in 1998 with television show Heena, starring Simone Singh, Rahul Bhatt, Rakhee Tandon and Vaquar Sheikh. Kapoor played a small role in the show.

In picture: A still from the show 'Rishtey'.

After starring in shows like Nyaay, Sangharsh and Kavita, Ram Kapoor got a prominent role in the 2000 hit television show - Ghar Ek Mandir. He starred opposite Gautami Gadgil (now his wife Gautami Kapoor) and Hiten Tejwani.

However, it was the character of business tycoon Jai Walia in 2006-2009's Kasamh Se that earned him huge popularity. The jodi of Jai Walia and Bani (played by Prachi Desai) was one of the most endearing ones on Indian television.

In picture: A still from Kasamh Se.

And it was not just TV, Ram Kapoor soon started bagging prominent roles in films too. Talking about the same, Ram mentioned in an old interview with mid-day, 'My film career took off after Udaan and Mera Dad Ki Maruti with big production houses approaching me for roles. I enjoyed that phase my career. I did positive, negative and even comic characters on screen.'

In picture: Ram Kapoor with his future wife Gautami Gadgil in 'Ghar Ek Mandir'.

Ram Kapoor also did a couple of comedy films as well. Specifically talking about Sajid Khan's comic caper Humshakals, Ram Kapoor had told mid-day, 'I am known for my intense on-screen portrayals, these roles come easier to me. However, doing comedy is the toughest genre to play on celluloid. It is very easy to make people cry but challenging to make them laugh.'

In picture: A still from Ram Kapoor's blink-and-miss appearance in the film 'Monsoon Wedding'.

In over a decade, Ram Kapoor has played various roles on the big screen - an IAS officer in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, a loving uncle in Udaan and as a hyper dad in Mere Dad Ki Maruti. Talking about the different kinds of roles he does in films, Ram said, 'I like the variety. I don't like segregating and saying this is my favourite... I don't like to get stuck in the same kind of role again and again.'

In picture: Hiten Tejwani, Ram Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, Karan Johar and Ronit Roy.

While most actors in Bollywood leave no stone unturned to have a chiselled look, Ram Kapoor got good roles not based on his appearance. Talking about his physique, he told mid-day, 'Appearance does matter. If I fit into a particular character because of my appearance then why not go for it?'

In picture: Ram Kapoor in a still from the show 'Bali'.

In 2011, as a forty-plus, overweight business tycoon, who is forced to marry middle-class girl Priya Sharma (Sakshi Tanwar) and eventually fall in love with her, Ram Kapoor yielded awesome response for Bade Achhe Lagte Hain.

In 2011, as a forty-plus, overweight business tycoon, who is forced to marry middle-class girl Priya Sharma (Sakshi Tanwar) and eventually fall in love with her, Ram Kapoor yielded awesome response for Bade Achhe Lagte Hain.

'I knew I was doing well and was lucky to have hit shows. But I did not expect to change the dynamics of a TV hero. I am still adjusting to it. It fills me with a lot of responsibility because if the audiences give you so much love, you can't take them for granted,' said Ram Kapoor on his hit show Bade Achhe Lagte Hain that aired for three years.

In picture: Ram Kapoor and Karan Johar.

Ram Kapoor has been an integral part of the TV industry for many years. Talking specifically of the medium, he was quoted saying, 'It has grown so much. Today the amount of media coverage the TV actors get didn't happen earlier. This is just the beginning. I feel the TV industry will grow so much that after 15 years there will be no difference between our TV industry and that of the West,' said the actor to mid-day in an old interview.

In picture: Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar in the popular TV show 'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain'.

Ram Kapoor has seen a good career graph, though you would be surprised to know that the actor is not quite satisfied with the success. Ram Kapoor said, 'To be able to live your passion and make money out of it, is a dream. I am fully aware of the number of people who come to Bombay to make it in showbiz and hardly two per cent of them get a break and I am happy to be a part of that two per cent. But in my assessment of where I want to reach, I know I have a long way to go. So I choose not to get satisfied.'

In picture: Ram Kapoor dons a bizarre look in 'Agent Vinod', starring Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

A lanky Ram Kapoor gained weight and it soon became the talk of the town. Speaking about his sudden body transformation, Ram Kapoor told media, 'I'm pretty happy with my physique for my career. But it's not healthy to be like this. I wish to be healthier... maybe lose some weight. But careerwise, I'm very satisfied with my weight as I'm getting good roles in TV shows and films. But I'll not tell my fans to be like me.'

In picture: Ram Kapoor (left) in 'Humshakals'.

Ram Kapoor has now already made changes to his lifestyle. He was a chain smoker. And used to smoke two packets... as many as 40 cigarettes a day for 17 years of his life. But a few years ago, Ram Kapoor quit smoking for good.

In picture: Ram Kapoor with the team of 'Udaan' at Cannes.

As a person, Ram Kapoor is very sensitive. And Ram reasons it, saying, 'If you have to be an artiste, you have to be a sensitive person. You cannot be a romantic or a sensitive person and be a good actor.'

In picture: Ram Kapoor with Yash Chopra, Asha Bhosle and Padmini Kolhapure at the mahurat of 'Mai'.

Ram Kapoor's film and TV career are going great guns - and he credits his wife Gautami Kapoor for being supportive and for taking great care of their two children while he's busy. Ram married Gautami and the two have two children, daughter Sia and son Aks.

In picture: Ram Kapoor, as the host of the TV show Welcome, posing with celebrity contestants.

Gautami was an active actress too, but she slowed down on her professional work. 'She (Gautami) is in the same field so she understands everything and she never hassles me whenever I am working. She understands my work. If there are important school functions, which I have had to miss, she understands and supports me. I don't have to worry about my kids because she takes care of it wonderfully,' Ram said.

In picture: Ram Kapoor with wife Gautami Kapoor at an award event.

Ram Kapoor is a complete family guy. He believed a balance needs to be maintained between a couple to raise children properly. 'If we both work too much, then it's not right to plan a family. We both realised that now we have to concentrate on kids. Now Gautami is working again slowly, because now the kids are little grown-up,' Ram said.

In picture: Ram Kapoor and wife Gautami Kapoor.

Who inspires Ram Kapoor in his personal life? 'In my personal life, my hero has been my father. Some of the key things that I've learned from him is 'Don't do anything in life that you will regret later', and, 'If you've done it, don't regret it'... find the way to accept it and move on.'

In picture: Ram Kapoor in 'Kuch Kuch Locha Hai'.

Talking about his family, Ram Kapoor said, 'As a child, my dad was busy with work while mom brought us up. But now, my dad is my best friend. Whenever I get the time, I make it point to spend it with my wife Gautami and kids. We try to take at least three holidays in a year-during summer vacations, Diwali and New Year. Our trips are mad affairs.'

Ram Kapoor took a break from social media and kept himself away from the limelight in 2018 only to return to the social circuit with a bang! The actor had shied away from the business only to return with a cool new avatar. In July 2019, Ram Kapoor shared a picture on his Instagram account after a hiatus and looked unrecognisable. The Bade Achhe Lagte Hain actor's drastic transformation left his fans startled and there were a few who also said that they miss the chubby Ram. While sharing the picture, the actor wrote, "Wassssup peeps!! Long time no see (sic)" The picture appears to be from an elevator where he has taken a top angle picture.

Post the image going viral, Ram Kapoor took to his Instagram account to share more pictures of his weight loss transformation. In the picture shared on social media by Ram Kapoor, he looked much leaner than he has over the past few years. It is obvious that the actor has no inhibition in going grey either.

On the work front, Ram Kapoor was last seen in the web show Abhay 2 and BBC One's A Suitable Boy. Ram Kapoor has completed more than 20 years in the film industry. Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Ram Kapoor!