Born on August 14, 1961, actor Mohnish Bahl is the son of late veteran actress Nutan and Lt. Cdr. Rajnish Bahl. Mohnish is a prominent member of the Mukherjee-Samarth family. Being the nephew of veteran actress Tanuja, Mohnish is the cousin of sister-duo Kajol and Tanishaa Mukerji (All photos/mid-day archives, Mohnish Bahl's official Instagram page)

Nutan married naval Lieutenant-Commander Rajnish Bahl in October 1959. Two years later, the couple was blessed with a son, whom they named Mohnish

Nutan passed away in 1991 at age 54 after suffering from breast cancer. Mohnish Behl's father Colonel Rajneesh Bahl died in 2014 after his flat in the 32-storeyed apartment complex in upscale Colaba in South Mumbai caught fire

Mohnish Bahl was 22 when he started his career in showbiz. The 'then' star kid made his debut in 1983 with the film Bekarar (a remake of the Telugu film Nalugu Stambhalata), starring Sanjay Dutt, Padmini Kolhapure, Mohnish Bahl, and Supriya Pathak

His next film was Teri Baahon Mein, where he was paired opposite Ayesha Dutt (Jackie Shroff's wife now). The film was a Hindi remake of the 1980 American film The Blue Lagoon, where Mohnish played a jungle boy. However, it bombed at the Box Office

Mohnish Bahl went on to feature in films such as Rajinikanth's Meri Adalat, Ramsay Brothers' horror film Purana Mandir, and Raaj Kumar's Itihaas

Do you know Mohnish Bahl's only commercial success in a leading role was Purana Mandir? However, the horror flick was considered as a B-grade film

But tables turned in 1989 when Mohnish Bahl featured in Sooraj Barjatya's Maine Pyar Kiya. The film transformed Bahl's career and how. "I remember my audition for Maine Pyar Kiya. They had liked my work but were worried about casting me in a negative role, because of my mother [Nutan]. They wondered how they could launch the son of an actress who had, throughout her career, done beautiful roles. They told me about their reservations, but, I told them it wouldn't matter. Things eventually worked out in my favour," Mohnish Bahl was quoted saying to mid-day

"I owe my career completely to the Barjatyas. Rajkumar Barjatya ji was like an older statesman and benefactor. Whatever I am today, it is because of him, and his production house - Rajshri Productions," said Mohnish Bahl, who went on to bag roles, post the success of Maine Pyar Kiya. His villainous act in films such as Bol Radha Bol, Shola Aur Shabnam, Sabse Bada Khiladi and Raja Hindustani were appreciated

What surprised the audience in 1994 was to see Mohnish Bahl get into the loving, caring and soft-spoken character of Rajesh in Hum Aapke Hai Koun. "While shooting for Hum Aapke Hai Koun, Rajkumar ji revealed to me that he had spoken to my mother, and had promised her that he would give me a positive role; one that was worthy, [like that of a] lead character, and he fulfilled it with Hum Aapke Hai Koun," recalled Mohnish Bahl

Mohnish Bahl did not get stereotyped, despite playing hardcore negative characters in the majority of the films he starred in. People loved to hate him in Maine Pyaar Kiya, Baaghi, Shola Aur Shabnam as much as they adored him in Hum Aapke Hai Kaun, Hum Saath Saath Hai. The audience accepted Mohnish in two diametrically opposite categories of roles (negative and positive), which proved Bahl's versatility

Mohnish Bahl shifted to the small screen with the sitcom Sanjivani in 2002. In the same year, he also featured in the TV serial Devi, co-starring Sakshi Tanwar. Again, Mohnish Bahl showed his versatility in both the roles, as Dr Shashank Gupta's calm demeanour was the stark opposite of the spoilt brat Vikram from Devi

At a time when actors have small a shelf-life on the small screen, Mohnish Bahl has been one of the most-loved faces on TV despite being choosy in selecting roles. Also, barring the fact that the actor has been taking breaks between shows unlike most TV actors. The adage 'Out of sight, out of mind' does not hold true for Bahl, as he feels that small breaks in between help him prepare for a new start

On the personal front, Mohnish Bahl married actress Ekta Sohini in 1992, two years after his mother Nutan's demise. Mohnish had shared this picture on Instagram on April 24, 2020, celebrating his 28th wedding anniversary. He wrote in the caption: No words to express my gratitude for 'always being by my side'... You made me understand the meaning of Ardhangini. Love you Janmon Janmon infinite [sic]

The couple was blessed with a daughter on March 10, 1993, whom they named Pranutan (in picture). Pranutan, who is a double graduate in law, followed in her illustrious family's footsteps by making her debut in 2018 with the romantic drama Notebook. Mohnish Bahl's close friend actor Salman Khan took the youngster under his wing

Aarti Bahl had a miscarriage in 2004. Five years later, they were blessed with their second child

Mohnish Bahl and wife Aarti Bahl (Ekta's name after marriage) welcomed their second child - a baby girl in 2009. They named her Krishaa (in picture)

"My first daughter was born after my mother passed away and my second daughter was born just after my father passed away. I feel that my family was always meant to be of four members," said Mohnish Bahl in an interview with mid-day

Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Mohnish Bahl!