Some people are just born to be actors, and Kareena Kapoor was definitely born to dominate the big screen, and rule the hearts of millions across the world. Today, on her 27th birthday, we can't help but revel in what this young lady has achieved at such a young age, in such a short span in her career. If this is just the beginning, one can only imagine the power house of talent still left within Kareena, waiting to silence her few remaining detractors.

Kareena is probably one of the only actresses today who would risk taking a one year break while at the peak of her career, after giving a critically acclaimed performance in Omkara, but then, that's Kareena for you. Confident and not worried about the number game, she is here because of her talent and no amount of competition or media potshots can change that. After all, as Ranbir Kapoor prepares for the release of his debut film Saawariya, everyone is talking about how he has the responsibility of taking the Kapoor legacy ahead, people seem to overlook the fact that the 4th generation of Kapoors have already been acting for over 15 years, since Karisma Kapoor's debut Prem Qaidi in 1991. Kareena herself debuted in 2000 with a superlative performance in Refugee. But maybe it's a gender bias and the two Kapoor ladies have been overlooked in terms of continuing the legacy started by their great-grand-father Prithvi Raj Kapoor.

Speaking about Refugee, it was a film which didn't exactly set the box on fire (which Kareena took a lot of flak for, as she had walked out of Hrithik Roshan's debut film Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, a few days into its shooting, since it went on to be a super-hit while Refugee was not so well received) Kareena's uninhibited performance was a revelation. Looking back now, no one could have breathed life into Naaz the way Kareena did, portraying the innocence and naivety of the character with the maturity of a seasoned actor. Post Refugee, Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai was essentially Kareena's only major commercial hit, with big films like Yaadein and Asoka unable to attain commercial success. Yet once again in Asoka, Kareena donned a sans make up look for her role as Princess Kaurwaki in one of her finest performances till date, which got her critical acclaim in spite of a dismal box office report. Her portrayal of the self-absorbed ultra vain Pooja "Poo" in Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, won her much accolades as she slipped into the role so naturally, that the audiences began to believe that Kareena really was that vain in real life too.

Then came a string of films which failed at the box office, yet amidst the ensemble cast in LOC Kargil, Kareena stood out once again, especially in the scene in which Simran sees the coffin of her dead fiancé wrapped in the Indian flag. No dialogues, Kareena's expressions speak volumes in a scene which brought tears to the eyes of the audience, just through her brilliant performance.

Then there was yet another transformation as she once again shed her glamourous look and went make-up free in Yuva and Dev, and then followed it up with some great comedy in Hulchul and her first negative role in Fida. Of course who can forget her first "off-beat" film Chameli,in which she played a brash prostitute, a performance that won her special critics award. Year 2005 and the first part of 2006 again saw a string of flops, but then Kareena once again proved her mettle with her award winning performance in Omkara.

As Jab We Met comes up for release next month, we are sure it will be another turning point for Kareena. After all, she makes acting look so effortless, slipping into every role as though it is tailor made for her. Maybe it's because of this confidence and ease that people often mistake her to be difficult and self-centered. To set the record straight, she is not; those who have worked with her are always looking to repeat her; her professionalism is an example of the how seriously she takes her work. She may not be a method actor who details every nuance of her character, but that's because it's her spontaneity and instinctive understanding of a character that sets her apart from her contemporaries. No wonder she idolizes Kajol; they are a lot more similar than people realize.

Happy Birthday Kareena! We have all missed you on the big screen and we are sure you are going to be back with a bang.