From sipping Sulaimani chai in Usthad Hotel to transporting dead bodies in Karwaan, Dulquer Salmaan has indeed come a long way. On his 35th birthday, here's a look back at some of his important films

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Happy Birthday Dulquer Salmaan: 20 times DQ proved he was more than just another star kid

It wouldn't have been easy to step out of the shadows of Mega Star Mammootty. Dulquer didn't just step out but carved a niche while he was at it. On the occasion of DQ's 36th birthday, here's a look back at the milestones of his promising career

Vignesh Madhu

Updated:28th Jul, 2022 at 5:56 PM

Making a slice-of-life movie isn't a walk in the park. With Thilakan and DQ headlining Usthad Hotel, Anwar Rasheed served us lip-smacking fare that is made better by a side order of Sulaimani Chai.

DQ sang his way into our hearts with Johny Mone Johny in ABCD. An extension of Faizy from Usthad Hotel, Dulquer manages to give Johns Issac a unique identity in this political comedy

Even before it was cool for men nursing heartbreaks to take a solo bike trip to unexplored parts of India, Dulquer in Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi vroomed from Kerala to the North East

Silence speaks louder than words, especially when these said words are injurious to health. Dulquer's Tamil debut, Vaayai Moodi Pesavum, was a quirky little film that made all the right noises

Arjun aka Ajju. Bangalore Days. Stuff of legend. DQ and Parvathy are part of one of those rare love stories where both have time to search their souls and both are provided with redemptive arcs.

First double action is always special. IT is extra special when it is a Ranjith film. Njaan saw DQ essay the dynamically different roles of KTN Kottur and Ravi with consummate ease

15 years since making the timeless Alaipayuthey, Mani Ratnam gave us Oh Kadhal Kanmani. He also reintroduced to Tamil cinema the effortless charm of DQ, who became a state-lines-crossing heartthrob

In every successful actor's career, there always comes that one experiment that could either elevate or derail everything. Thankfully, Charlie made DQ a SUPERSTAR!

We saw glimpses of this in Theevram, but in Kali's Siddharth, we saw how DQ effectively subverts the cliched trope of 'angry young man' despite seething with righteous anger

A decades-spanning gangster saga, Kammatipaadam exemplified DQ's belief in his acting abilities. Standing his own ground against a juggernaut of a performance by Vinayakam was no mean feat

Are you even a quintessential Malayalam hero if you haven't played the lead in a Sathyan Anthikkad movie? Jomonte Suvisheshangal was run-of-the-mill, but helped DQ endear himself to family audiences

Did Ajipan understand truly understand love and communism before his journey to America? DQ aces the role of a forlorn lover and fits stylishly in the opulent world of Amal Neerad

Screentime isn't everything. DQ as Imran exudes a magnetic screen presence in an author-backed role that lasts all but 15 minutes in this beautiful coming-of-age film

Not all experiments yield favourable results, but it is imperative that the trials continue. In Solo, DQ pulls off his career-best performance in a laudable attempt at distinctive story-telling.

Karwaan, a Piku-esque tale of love, loss, and longing, might be the safest Dulquer film in this list after Jomonte. But it is understandable. The stakes were high. It was his Bollywood debut after all

Mahanati had Dulquer playing the role of Gemini Ganesan. It is remarkable that he chose not to mimic the late actor's performance and yet pulled off a charming act.

Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal is an example of Dulquer employing his charm to great effect. A simple but very effective performance.

Playing the infamous criminal Sukumara Kurup in his most ambitious film yet, Dulquer was at his evil best

Salute's Aravind Karunakaran is Dulquer's first full-fledged cop role in his career. Beneath the stiff and upright outlook is a man tormented by guilt and Dulquer nailed it.

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