Born on September 3, 1976, in Hyderabad, Vivek Oberoi is the son of veteran actor Suresh Oberoi, who is a Punjabi, and Tamilian mother Yashodhara Oberoi, a social worker. Vivek has a younger sister Meghna Oberoi, who is an artist.

In picture: Vivek Oberoi, his sister Meghna, father Suresh Oberoi and mother Yashodhara Oberoi show off their inked fingers after voting at a polling station in Mumbai on April 26, 2004.

"I was four when I decided that I wanted to be an actor. Bollywood influenced me as a fan and as an aspiring actor, which went on till I became 24 years old and RGV roped me in for Company. My dad's been my idol all throughout. He's lent me support and given me the strength to keep my head up. I admire the dignified manner in which he's carried himself through all my trials and tribulations. But there's one man I have to mention Ram Gopal Verma; I'm eternally grateful to him for giving me Company. So if dad is my inspiration to become a better human being, RGV inspires me to be a better actor." said Vivek Oberoi in a candid chat with mid-day, back in 2009.

Vivek Oberoi was really naughty as a kid. He had once revealed that all the Juhu neighbourhood aunties had nicknamed him Dennis The Menace. Recalling one such incident from his college days, Vivek had said, "During my schooling at Mayo College, Ajmer, this guy in my dorm used to eat from our share but never gave us his stuff. He would get these amazing chocolates, munchies, etc from London that he kept locked in his drawer. I made a duplicate key and took out all his goodies. Later, I threw a tuck party on the boarding house terrace and distributed all of them."

Another interesting incident that Vivek had shared, "During my hostel days, this guy from Kota would always borrow my shampoo, shirts and a lot of my personal items. I didn't like it. Once, he asked me the secret behind my silky hair. I told him that I used a special leave-in conditioner. When he asked for that too, I gave him a hair-removing cream. The next day while taking a shower, he saw clumps of hair coming off. Finally, he had to shave his head."

In picture: In 2018, Vivek Oberoi gave his fans a glimpse of his expansive shoe collection, announcing that he plans to give at least half of them away on his wife Priyanka Alva Oberoi's orders.

After completing his master's degree in film acting from New York, Vivek Oberoi entered Bollywood at age 26. Vivek's first film was Ram Gopal Varma's gangster saga Company, where he received Filmfare Awards for Best Debut as well as Best Supporting Actor. He surprised the audience in the same year by featuring in the romantic film Saathiya, that became a success at the box office.

Vivek Oberoi tried to maintain variety - whether it was a gangster's part in Company, a lover boy in Saathiya or a villain in upcoming film Krrish 3. Vivek did not fear experimentation either - Yuva, Masti, Kaal, Omkara, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Kurbaan and Prince, all stand as examples. While some worked in his favour, others did not - but it has all been a learning experience for him.

In picture: Dia Mirza and Vivek Oberoi strike a pose for photographers during a photocall in Lucknow on January 9, 2003. The pair was promoting their film Dum.

When asked if he regrets doing some films in his career, Vivek said, "I don't regret doing any films. If it is a flop what can I do and if a hit what will I say. You can't change your opinion on anything just on the success or failure of a film. My films have been flop and I accept it, I worked hard for all of them," he said, who made his web debut with Inside Edge in 2017 and gained success.

In picture: Vivek Oberoi and Kareena Kapoor sit on a bench during a rehearsal for the shooting of Yuva in Calcutta on November 3, 2003.

Over the years, he has involved himself in charity work, but hardly talks about any of it. Vivek helped re-build a village, which was hit severely by the 2006 tsunami in Tamil Nadu. He was in Chennai when disaster struck and assembled six truckloads of relief supplies. He has also adopted a tsunami-ravaged village in the state's Cuddalore district. He also runs a school in Vrindavan. Named Project Devi, the facility caters to underprivileged girls abandoned by their families.

This picture was taken on July 13, 2003, showing Vivek Oberoi and Ajay Devgan as they ride a bike during the shoot of their movie Yuva in Calcutta. Oberoi was injured in a motorcycle accident on July 16 during the shoot. The accident was followed almost immediately by the film's director, Mani Ratnam, suffering a mild heart attack.

On the personal front, when Vivek bowed in Bollywood with Company (2002), he was dating model Gurpreet Gill, but after some time they parted ways. Later he was linked to his Kyun! Ho Gaya Na (2004) co-star Aishwarya Rai and that too didn't work. "I've had two serious relationships where I gave one hundred per cent of myself physically, spiritually and emotionally to my partner. The next one will hopefully be for keeps. I hope to find a girl who appreciates my dedication and loyalty," he said.

In picture: Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi laughs as they tour a newly inaugurated school in Mumbai on June 19, 2005.

In 2010, Vivek Oberoi tied the knot with late Karnataka minister Jeevaraj Alva's daughter Priyanka Alva. "Priyanka has brought in love, luck and a lot of happiness. Unlike before, now I want to be home after work and spend as much time as possible with her and my family," said VO after his marriage.

Vivek Oberoi and Priyanka welcomed their first child in 2013, a baby boy whom they named Vivaan Veer Oberoi. In 2015, they welcomed their second child, a baby girl, who they named Ameyaa Nirvana Oberoi.

Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Vivek Oberoi!