Kareena Kapoor Khan Birthday: Bebo’s 10 Most Iconic Roles - From ‘Daayra’, ‘K3G’, ‘Jab We Met’ to ‘Heroine’, ‘Chameli’ and More

One of Bollywood's most enduring and versatile actresses, Kareena Kapoor Khan was born on September 21, 1980. Kareena is set to mark another milestone, as she turns 46 on September 21, 2026. Over two decades in the industry, the superstar, fondly known as Bebo, has consistently redefined what it means to be a leading lady, delivering a diverse range of characters that have captivated audiences and critics alike. From the sassy fashionista to the gritty detective, Kareena Kapoor Khan's filmography is a testament to her acting prowess and willingness to experiment. ‘Daayra’ Movie Review: Gripping Crime Drama With Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Clash That Shows Mirror to Society.

10 Most Iconic Roles of Kareena Kapoor Khan

As Kareena Kapoor Khan celebrates her birthday, let's revisit some of her most iconic roles that continue to resonate with fans.

1. 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...' (2001) - The Unforgettable Poo

Kareena Kapoor Khan's portrayal of Pooja 'Poo' Sharma Raichand in Karan Johar's multi-starrer family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... remains one of her most beloved roles. Released on December 14, 2001, the film saw her as the flamboyant, fashion-forward, and self-assured character who quickly became a pop culture icon. Directed by Karan Johar and produced by Yash Johar under Dharma Productions, the film featured an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Hrithik Roshan. With music by Jatin-Lalit, Sandesh Shandilya, and Aadesh Shrivastava, K3G was a massive commercial success, grossing approximately INR 136 crore worldwide against a budget of INR 30-40 crore. It is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix in various regions, including India and the US.

2. 'Chameli' (2004) - Daring Portrayal of S*x Worker Chameli

Breaking away from conventional glamorous roles, Kareena took on the challenging character of Chameli, a street-smart prostitute, in the film of the same name. Released on January 9, 2004, and directed by Sudhir Mishra (who took over after the demise of director Anant Balani), this film marked a significant turning point in her career. Produced by Pritish Nandy and Rangita Pritish Nandy, Chameli paired her opposite Rahul Bose. Kareena's nuanced performance earned her critical acclaim for its raw honesty and depth, proving her versatility as an actress. Chameli is currently streaming on ShemarooMe.

3. 'Omkara' (2006) - Dolly Mishra's Innocence and Tragedy

Vishal Bhardwaj's critically acclaimed crime drama Omkara, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, featured Kareena Kapoor Khan as Dolly Mishra. Released on July 28, 2006, the film showcased her in a more subdued yet impactful role, capturing the innocence and eventual tragedy of her character. Directed and with music composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, the film also starred Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Vivek Oberoi. Omkara garnered widespread critical praise and was a major awards contender, with Kareena winning the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress. The film is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

4. 'Jab We Met' (2007) - The Iconic and Endearing Geet

Perhaps one of her most beloved and commercially successful films, Jab We Met presented Kareena Kapoor as the vivacious, talkative, and utterly charming Geet Dhillon. The Imtiaz Ali-directed romantic comedy, released on October 26, 2007, became a cultural phenomenon, with audiences instantly falling in love with Geet's infectious optimism. Co-starring Shahid Kapoor, the film was produced by Dhilin Mehta and earned over ₹50.9 crore at the box office against a budget of INR 15 crore. Its soundtrack, composed by Pritam, became hugely popular. Jab We Met can be currently streamed on JioHotstar and Amazon Prime Video in India.

5. 'Heroine' (2012) - Gritty Reality of Mahi Arora

In Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine, released on September 21, 2012, coinciding with her 32nd birthday, Kareena Kapoor delved into the tumultuous life of a fading Bollywood superstar, Mahi Arora. The psychological drama, co-produced by Bhandarkar and UTV Motion Pictures, co-starred Arjun Rampal and Randeep Hooda. Her raw and emotionally charged performance received widespread critical acclaim, with many considering it among her finest works. She brought her personal experience as a Bollywood superstar to the performance, and it earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 58th Filmfare Awards. Heroine grossed INR 57.11 crore worldwide on a budget of INR 35 crore. Viewers can watch Heroine on pay per watch on Apple TV+, YouTube and Google Play Movies.

6. 'Jaane Jaan' (2023) - Kareena's OTT Debut as the Mysterious Maya D'Souza

Kareena Kapoor Khan made a powerful debut in the OTT space with Sujoy Ghosh's mystery thriller Jaane Jaan. Released on September 21, 2023, on Netflix, coinciding with her 43rd birthday, the film saw her as Maya D'Souza, a single mother entangled in a murder investigation. Based on Keigo Higashino's novel The Devotion of Suspect X, the film also starred Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma. Jaane Jaan was a phenomenal success, breaking records for the biggest opening weekend viewership for an Indian film on Netflix and emerging as the most-viewed Indian film on the platform globally by viewing hours in the latter half of 2023. It also secured eight nominations at the 2024 Filmfare OTT Awards and Kareena Kapoor Khan won the Best Actress (Web Original Film) award. Watch Jaane Jaan on Netflix.

7. 'The Buckingham Murders' (2024) - Grieving Detective Jasmeet Bhamra

Further cementing her commitment to diverse roles, Kareena starred as British-Indian detective Jasmeet 'Jass' Bhamra in Hansal Mehta's crime thriller The Buckingham Murders. The film premiered at the 67th BFI London Film Festival on October 14, 2023, and saw a theatrical release in India on September 13, 2024. Produced by Kareena herself, along with Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor, the film also featured Keith Allen and Ranveer Brar. Her performance as a grieving mother and a determined detective earned her a Best Actress (Critics) nomination at the 70th Filmfare Awards. The Buckingham Murders released globally on Netflix on November 8, 2024.

8. 'Talaash: The Answer Lies Within' (2012) - Mesmerising Ghost Rosie

A mesmerising presence in the Aamir Khan-starrer Talaash, one can't take ones eyes off Kareena Kapoor Khan on screen. She plays the character of Rosie aka Simran, who charms Inspector Surjan Shekhawat, the cop character of Aamir, in a mysterious way and also guides him unintentionally. SPOILER ALERT - Kareena Kapoor Khan turns out to be a ghost in the movie.

9. 'Refugee' (2000) - Impressive Debut as Nazneen

In her debut film, Kareena Kapoor starred opposite debutant Abhishek Bachchan. Directed by J P Dutta, Refugee released on June 30, 2000. Bebo impressed in her first film as Nazneen Ahmed, earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for the India-Pakistan story.

10. 'Daayra' (2026) - Smiling but Stern Cop Ajooni Kohli

Kareena Kapoor Khan's latest venture, Daayra, is a tense crime drama directed by Meghna Gulzar. In this film, she portrays DCP Ajooni Kohli, an internal vigilance officer investigating a controversial police encounter, starring alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran as DCP Raman Kumar. The film, produced by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios, has received initial positive reviews, with Kareena's controlled and convincing performance being highlighted. Daayra released in theatres on September 18, 2026. Exclusive: Prithviraj Sukumaran on ‘Daayra’, Working With Kareena Kapoor Khan and Meghna Gulzar, Bollywood Vs South Divide, and More.

‘Daayra’ Trailer – Watch Video:

As Kareena Kapoor Khan continues to push boundaries and embrace challenging characters, her legacy as a true Bollywood icon only grows stronger. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to reinvent herself with each role make her a timeless star, and fans eagerly await what she will bring next.

With inputs from Shweta Parande.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 21, 2026 12:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).