Bhagyashree was born on February 23, 1969, in the Patwardhan royal Marathi family of Sangli in Maharashtra. She has two sisters namely Madhuvanti and Purnima. (All photos/mid-day archives)

Actor-filmmaker Amol Palekar was Bhagyashree's next-door neighbour who convinced her to act in Kachchi Dhoop, a television show, which turned out to be a successful collaboration. She ended up replacing the actress who was originally signed but abandoned the project abruptly. Kachchi Dhoop was an adaptation of Louisa Mary Alcott's Little Women.

After appearing in a couple of more television shows, Bhagyashree got her big break in 1989 with Rajshri Productions' Maine Pyar Kiya, opposite Salman Khan.

Her biggest success till date is Maine Pyar Kiya. Bhagyashree won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her role.

Pictured: Bhagyashree (in pink) with Mohnish Bahl and Parvin Dastur in a still from the blockbuster.

Recalling her Maine Pyar Kiya days, Bhagyashree said, "Salman, Sooraj and I were absolutely new and raw. We all bonded well. For me, the most important part was when we shot the wedding sequence. When they were going to put mehndi on my hand, it was just two days prior to my real wedding. So, the entire shoot was planned in such a way that I could be given a nice send-off. So that is the very lovely memory for me."

Pictured: Bhagyashree in a still from the daily soap Kagaz Ki Kashtti.

Bhagyashree wed actor-turned-businessman Himalaya Dasani in 1990. They starred together in three films, Qaid Main Hai Bulbul, Tyagi and Paayal, all released in 1992.

Pictured: The actress and her husband at the music launch of Paayal.

Bhagyashree's father, Vijay Singhrao Madhavrao Patwardhan, is the current Raja of Sangli.

A younger Bhagyashree oozes oomph in this undated photograph taken during a photoshoot in the 1990s.

Apart from Bollywood, Bhagyashree has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and Bhojpuri films.

Bhagyashree has also worked in daily soaps. Pictured: Bhagyashree in a still from Alaap.

Bhagyashree and husband Himalaya Dassani have a son Abhimanyu and daughter Avantika.

Bhagyashree's son Abhimanyu Dassani made his Bollywood debut in the quirky action comedy titled Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. He earned accolades for his performance.

Bhagyashree in a still from the TV series Yadon Ke Rang.

Bhagyashree and husband Himalaya Dassani at a party with friends.

Bhagyashree and a young Ronit Roy (third from right) pose for pictures with other guests at a party.

Bhagyashree made her Bollywood comeback in 2001 with Hello Girls and went on to act in Janani (2006), Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006) and Red Alert: The War Within (2008).

Following her success with Kachchi Dhoop in the 1980s, Bhagyashree worked in the TV serials Honi Anhoni and Kisse Miya Biwi Ke, before foraying into Bollywood with Maine Pyar Kiya.

One of Bhagyashree's notable recent TV roles was in Laut Aao Trisha which ran from 2014-15. It was an adaptation of the Spanish television show Donde Esta Elisa.

Bhagyashree is the promoter of the media company Shrishti Entertainment with her husband Himalaya Dassani.

Bhagyashree became the brand ambassador of the Bhagyashree Scheme, launched by the Government of Maharashtra in March 2015, which caters to girl children from families below the poverty line.

Bhagyashree in a still from the TV show Bahuraniyaan.

Bhagyashree forayed into South cinema in 1996 with the Tamil comedy Mappillai Manasu Poopola.

Bhagyashree then starred in the 1997 Kannada film Ammavra Ganda which had stalwart Shivrajkumar in the lead.

Bhagyashree is also a nutritionist and extremely fitness conscious.

Bhagyashree follows a strict fitness regimen and constantly uploads photos and videos of her working out on social media.

One cannot believe that Bhagyashree is 50 years old! This is because of her commitment to stay fit.

Bhagyashree entered Bhojpuri filmdom in 2005 with Balidaan and went on to work in several Bhojpuri films namely Uthaile Ghoonghta Chand Dekhle, Ego Chumma Deda Rajaji and Janam Janam Ke Saath.

Bhagyashree's last Bhojpuri film outing was the 2013 release Deva.

 Bhagyashree was part of the 2010 Bangladeshi film Sati Behula, as well.

Bhagyashree has also done films in her native tongue Marathi namely Mumbai Aamchich (2007) and Zhak Marli Bayko Keli (2009).

Bhagyashree in a still from the 2003 film Maa Santoshi Maa.

Bhagyashree with Vikas Bhalla, Punita Chopra and other guests at a party.

Bhagyashree is best friends with fellow Bollywood actress Sheeba.

Doesn't Bhagyashree look adorable in this throwback picture? We think so

Bhagyashree shared this image after a fulfilling workout session. The actress surely looks ravishing and one can't believe that she is 50.

Bhagyashree captioned this picture of her with husband Himalaya Dasani, "Me & mine (sic)". Pic courtesy: The actress' official Instagram account

Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Bhagyashree!