Prithviraj's biggest asset is that you can't predict what he's upto next. He could switch between genres or surprise you handling any field of Cinema. He could be hero, villain or second fiddle

A look back through years of a fine career @PrithviOfficial

#HappyBirthdayPrithviraj

At age of 20, in his debut year, he may be raw and little unpolished. But nevertheless he shows range straight away, acting in a romance like Nandanam and action movie like Stop Violence

At age of 23, Prithviraj nails the sauve and soft-spoken villain in Kana Kandein, an act that makes me a fan for the first time. Debuting in Tamil, the actor looked damn confident in each frame of the movie.

At age of 24, he becomes the youngest actor in Malayalam to win Kerala state award with Vasthavam. He looked so much at ease as SI Solomon in Vargam and became an integral part of the classic Classmates.

At age of 25, he shows a completely different side as he is very convincing as the extremely likeable Karthik in Mozhi. His scenes with MS Bhaskar still melts you after all these years. He also gels well with the comedy gang in Chocolate in a role tailormade for him.

At age of 26, Prithviraj takes a step back from hero characters and gladly plays supporting roles in Thirakkadha and Thalappavu, two much raved movies

At age of 27, Prithviraj gets a major commercial action hit in Puthiya Mukham. It's safe to say no other young actor in Malayalam does stunts as good as Prithviraj even today. His rendering for "Kaane kaane" song became a big chartbuster too

At age of 28, Prithviraj returns to roles with grey shades as he is very effective as the police office in Mani Ratnam's Ravanan

At age of 29, Prithviraj overcomes criticims and flaks he had earned after the Brittas interview, returning in style with an endearing performance in India Rupee

At age of 30, Prithviraj wins his 2nd state award for a beautiful act as Ravi Tharakan in Ayalum Njanum Thammil. The actor's ability to look both vulnerable and mature in young and old versions respectively stood out. He also plays the father of Malayalam Cinema, JC Daniel

At age of 31, Prithviraj again surprises with his choice of roles as he plays a gay police officer who lost memory in the brilliant Mumbai Police. He is once again superb when he lives an alcoholic in each and every second of Memories. How could he not win another state award !

At age of 32, in both 7th day and Sapthamashree Thaskaraha he was the hero with a twist at the end. He also wins Tamil Nadu State award for best villain for Kaaviya Thalaivan ! With a tougher job to play a character who is an inferior actor on screen , he was terrific !

At age of 33, Prithviraj plays another true life hero in the successful Ennu Ninte Moideen. He returns to the light romance genre with Anarkali. But the biggest surprise was how great was his comic timing in Amar Akbar Anthony. Why didn't he try his hand at comedy again ?

At age of 36, after a series of failures, Prithviraj bounces back with a strong emotional performance. As the man with a painful past and who lost his beloved sister, Prithviraj was superbly restrained.

At age of 37, he produces 9 in a genre Malayalam has less traveled. He was at ease playing the superstar in Driving License. But what surprised me most is how he managed to get everything in his direction perfect in Lucifer - from frames to big canvas to casting. This scene !

At age of 38, Prithviraj teams for the last time with his close friend and the talented Sachi for the hugely memorable Ayyappanum Koshiyum. The actor is fine with Biju Menon becoming the hero, while he plays the more complex, layered, but less likeable Koshy to perfection !