Anil Kapoor celebrates his 67th birthday today. Born on December 24, 1956, he is known for his versatile acting skills and has appeared in a wide range of films, spanning various genres.

Over the years, Anil Kapoor has been part of many successful films, including Mr. India (1987), Tezaab (1988), Ram Lakhan (1989), Beta (1992), and Dil Dhadakne Do (2015).

Anil Kapoor has redefined versatility in his second innings as an actor, transcending traditional boundaries and embracing diverse roles across genres. His willingness to experiment, whether in intense dramas, comedies, or international projects, reflects a commitment to his craft. In The Night Manager, he played a bonafide baddie. In his latest film Animal, he plays a complex father figure. And the list goes on.

Celebrating his birthday today, let us look at some of his roles that redefined his versatility in the industry:

The Sports Ministry has asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form a temporary panel to run the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), whose newly elected management has been suspended amid a row with wrestlers.

In a letter to the IOA chief, the Sports Ministry said the temporary committee can manage and control the affairs of the WFI including selection of athletes.

“… Taking note of the compelling current situation arising out of the influence and control of the WFI’s former office bearers, serious concerns have arisen about the governance and integrity of the WFI,” said the letter signed by Tarun Pareek, undersecretary to the Centre.

“This requires for immediate and stringent corrective measures to uphold the principles of good governance in sports organisations, and thus, now it becomes incumbent on the part of the IOA to make suitable arrangements for the interim period for managing the affairs of WFI, so that sportspersons of wrestling discipline do not suffer in any manner and the principle of good governance is the sports body do not get jeopardised,” the Sports Ministry said in the letter.

Another round of election to the WFI cannot be ruled out since the latest administration led by the newly elected chief Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has been suspended by the Centre.

The temporary panel formed by the IOA will look after the day-to-day affairs of the WFI, including making entries for participation of sportspersons in international events, and holding sporting events.

Ace wrestler Sakshee Malikkh had raised concerns yesterday regarding the upcoming junior national competitions, following with the Centre ordered the newly-elected WFI panel to stop all activities till further orders. The Centre also noted the “hasty” announcement of the junior national contests.

The Sports Ministry in a statement noted the newly elected body “appears to be (in) complete control of former office bearers in complete disregard to the Sports Code”.

The business of WFI, the ministry said, is being run from the premises controlled by former office bearers. “Which is also alleged premises wherein sexual harassment of the players have been alleged and (at) present the court in hearing the matter,” it added.

Brij Bhushan, a six-time BJP MP, had to step aside after the country’s top wrestlers, including Ms Malikkh, accused him of sexually harassing women wrestlers.

The top wrestlers, also including Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat, hit the streets in January to seek action against the BJP MP.

They had called off the agitation following assurances from the government. A probe was also launched against Brij Bhushan. The recent WFI election saw Sanjay Singh post a thumping victory against Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran, who was backed by the protesting wrestlers.

Despite assurances that close aides and relatives of Brij Bhushan will not be allowed to contest the polls, the nomination of Sanjay Singh was cleared.

Sameer Khandekar, dean of student affairs at IIT Kanpur, was delivering a lecture on good health when he collapsed on the stage due to a cardiac arrest. He was declared dead upon arrival by the hospital, the institute said.

While addressing the alumni meet on Friday, he had asked everyone to take care of their health moments before he started sweating profusely, according to reports. Before anyone could make sense of what was happening, he collapsed on the dais.

An IIT-Kanpur professor told news agency PTI that Khandekar was diagnosed with high cholesterol levels about five years ago. He was the dean of student affairs and also the head of the mechanical engineering department.

Former IIT Kanpur director Abhay Karandikar, expressing shock over the sudden death, described Khandekar as an outstanding teacher and researcher.

“It’s unbelievable! The news of my friend Prof. Sameer Khandekar’s (Professor in Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kanpur) sudden and very untimely passing has left us in deep shock and sadness. A cherished colleague always full of energy and enthusiasm. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace, dear friend,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Mr Karandikar said the body has been kept at the IIT-Kanpur’s health centre and the funeral would be performed only after the arrival of his only son Pravah Khandekar who is studying at Cambridge University.