Born on June 5, 1978, Rambha was born in a Telugu-speaking family and her birth name is Vijayalakshmi. Rambha was barely 15 when she gave up her studies to face the camera. She was in the eighth standard, then. Though Rambha is best remembered as Salman Khan's actress in Judwaa, did you know she is one of the most popular actresses down south? (All photos/Rambha's official Instagram account and mid-day archives)

Embarking on a journey from her hometown Vijaywada to filmdom, Rambha made her acting debut at the age of 15 with Hariharan's Malayalam film Sargam in 1992 opposite Vineeth.

Rambha has confessed to being self-obsessed and an attention seeker. When Rambha lived in Chennai, nobody recognised her since the actress was then doing only Telugu films. As Tamilians don't watch Telugu films, she thought of doing Tamil films in order to earn a name and fame and be recognised even in Chennai.

Rambha also became a sensation in Bollywood during the late '90s. She acted with stars like Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, and Akshay Kumar, but soon disappeared. However, in 2009, she made a comeback of sorts with Quick Gun Murugan as Mango Dolly.

In a career spanning over 15 years, Rambha acted in more than 30 Telugu films - from 1997 to 2008. Other than that, she has been part of more than 10 Telugu films in cameos.

Same goes with her Tamil film career. In a career of 17 years, Rambha has acted in over 35 films in Tamil film industry, including special appearances.

Talking about her Hindi film career, Rambha made her debut in 1995 with Mithun Chakraborty's Jallaad. She went on to share screen space with the 'Disco Dancer' actor in back-to-back three films after Jallaad - Jurmana, Daanveer and Jung.

However, it was 1997's Judwaa that made Rambha immensely popular across the country. She was even being compared to late actress Divya Bharti for her resemblance, back then.

Rambha later featured in popular films such as Gharwali Baharwali, Bandhan, Main Tere Pyaar Mein Pagal, Krodh, Beti No 1, Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani and Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta.

However, Rambha disappeared from showbiz after her marriage in 2010. She married a Canadian businessman and longtime beau Indrakumar Pathmanathan. A year after their marriage, Rambha gave birth to daughter Laanya in 2011. Her second child - daughter Sasha was born in 2015.

Talking about her break from showbiz, Rambha told mid-day in 2009, 'I thought rather than doing work for the heck of it and then not getting recognised, it's better to stay at home and be with family. Also, I was busy with my own production. In between, I also did a few Bengali and Bhojpuri films. I even got an award for my Bengali film. I think I have done good work.'

Rambha further clarified her stance saying, 'Everyone goes through such phases, even Amitabhji has seen ups and downs in his career. I got some roles in small Hindi movies, which demanded me to play a prostitute, but I stayed away from them. I want to do good work. I don't want to regret anything at the later stage of my career.'

After her marriage, Rambha permanently shifted her base to Canada. She said, 'I am a destiny's child. I never plan. I know luck plays an important part but I don't trust it. What I only trust in is my God and being there at the right time and the right place.'

In 2018, Rambha posted this picture of hers, flaunting her baby bump and were expecting their third child.

In September 2018, she was blessed with her third child - son Shivin. She posted this adorable picture, with her newborn and her daughters and husband by her side, captioning it - When I hold my baby Shivin in my arms I felt he's smaller than a bag of sugar. His toes peek from his blanket, His head, a crazy mass of black curls wobbles beneath my supporting hand. I can't believe how tiny new humans are, how vulnerable, how inspiring. My Shivin's smile was as sweet as a summer strawberry and filled me with a ray of sunshine I never knew existed in the world. His eyes are more brilliant than I could have dreamed they would be, his hands more delicate. He feels so light, looks so perfect and smells so divine. I am his protector for as long as I live and my love for my children will last for all time. Rambha Indra Kumar [sic]"

Looking at her social media posts, Rambha seems to be enjoying her motherhood and spending time with her family. 

Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Rambha!