Milind Soman, who is fondly called as the Iron Man of India, celebrates his birthday on November 4. On this occasion, we bring you unseen pictures of Milind from his modelling days that you will love to see and some interesting facts about him that you probably didn't know. (Photo courtesy: mid-day archives and Milind Soman's Instagram account)

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Milind Soman and his family later shifted to a place near London, England, during his childhood. But in 1972, Milind Soman moved to India and settled in Mumbai.

Milind Soman's father Prabhakar Soman was a nuclear scientist with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. And his mother Usha is a biochemist. The actor's mother also taught in a lot of colleges when she was young.

Milind Soman studied in Dr Antonio Da Silva High School and Jr College of Commerce in Mumbai. The model-turned-actor also got a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from M. H. Saboo Siddik Polytechnic in Byculla, Mumbai. Later, he followed his calling and made his career in the world of showbiz. The actor kickstarted his modelling career in 1988.

Milind Soman featured in Alisha Chinai's music video 'Made in India' in 1995. After working as a model for some years, Milind Soman took up acting. The actor has played the lead role in the Indian science fiction TV series 'Captain Vyom.' He later decided to shift his focus to films in 2000.

Milind Soman has acted in films like '16 December', 'Agni Varsha' and 'Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula.' In 2007, Milind Soman worked in films like 'Bhram', 'Say Salaam India' and 'Bheja Fry.' In 2009, Milind Soman also acted in a Marathi film 'Gandha.'

Milind Soman has also worked in some English and foreign language films and TV series, including 'Valley of Flowers' and 'The Flag.' Milind Soman portrayed Saladin, the revered 12th-century Kurdish leader of the Arabs and Muslims, in the Swedish film 'Arn - The Knight Templar.' Milind Soman was last seen on the big screen in 'Bajirao Mastani' (2015) and Chef (2017).

Milind Soman turned producer with the film 'Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula' in 2003. The actor also produced a children's television serial called 'Ghost Bana Dost'. In 2010, Milind participated as a contestant in the reality TV show 'Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi' (season 3).

On May 20, 2012, Milind Soman became a Limca Record holder for running 1,500 km in 30 days for Greenathon to spread environmental awareness. It was the same year when Milind Soman set up India's largest 'women's only' running event Pinkathon to promote good health and breast cancer awareness.

In 2015, Milind Soman completed the Ironman challenge in 15 hours and 19 minutes in his first try. The triathlon included a 3.8-km swim, a 180.2-km cycle ride and 42.2-km run race without a break.

But this fitness enthusiast is no more making appearances on the silver screen. Milind Soman was asked in an interview why filmmakers do not cast him more often in their films. To which, the actor said that perhaps because he does not have a good network in mainstream Bollywood. 'Nobody wants to cast me in films, yes that is true. I do not know why, but that is the reality. Once in a while, the film offers come to me and I do that. I am interested in performance though... I like acting. It is a well-paid job and according to some people, I am good at it,' he added.

What is the reason behind such less visibility in films? 'I think people do not associate me with the mainstream... Only the urban people (maybe). I do not have friends and network with the commercial cinema world. In every business, the network is important,' he explained.

Asked if there is any new filmmaker that he wishes to collaborate with, Milind said: 'I do not know any of them. In fact, I do not watch films. Perhaps that is the potential reason why people do not cast me in the film. I am one of those people who love to act in the film but does not want to watch the film. I think in a year, I watch a maximum of three films, that too superhero films.'

From his sensational screen presence as a supermodel to making a mark as the Limca Record holder for running to create awareness about the environment, receiving appreciation from critics for his performance in Bajirao Mastani, and, of course, on his marriage - Milind has been in the news for various reasons in the recent years. But he says his fitness routine has been widely talked about because health has emerged as a global topic of discussion.

Milind told IANS: 'I think my association with health and fitness has got serious attention in the last five years. But the fact is I am into sports and physical activity from my childhood. People did not pay much attention to it back then. Perhaps that is because the awareness on health and fitness is a global phenomenon now.'

A champion swimmer who represented India, Milind says earlier people were only interested in his work as a supermodel. Narrating a story about how most of the mainstream media was ignorant about his achievement on health and fitness, he said: 'I ran from Delhi to Mumbai in 2012 (1,500 km in 30 days) and one of the news channels covered the event. However, no one asked me anything about that run.'

'Nowadays, even if I run for five km, the media asks me about it. So, I believe the whole talk and awareness has happened in the mainstream media and people are talking about it because adapting a healthy lifestyle is a global topic of discussion,' said Milind Soman.

Emphasising how most diseases are a result of a bad lifestyle and not all of them are genetic, Milind said: 'For instance, my father died of diabetes and heart attack. He had diabetes from the age of 22. But I do not have any issue like that. My mother has high blood pressure, but she is on a constant check. My blood pressure is normal. So, the fact is, we have to work on our body to achieve fitness. We have to keep our body and mind in sync to achieve that. Saying one will surely suffer from a disease because it is in his gene is another excuse not to work on a healthy lifestyle.'

'Our body is strong, and it is capable to adapt any lifestyle. It is the duty of our mind to drive our body in correct manner. Otherwise, after a point, our body will surely give up,' said the actor, who never compromises on his healthy lifestyle even with his busy schedule.

Being in the entertainment business requires a lot of travelling, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a tough task. That is why he prefers to stay in a homestay accommodation rather than a hotel. 'The experience of homestay, the warmth and comfort it offers is incomparable with a hotel. The hosts of these homestays are really wonderful people, welcoming, and very warm-hearted.'

After leaving everyone thrilled with his fitness mantra, Milind Soman was seen hosting the show I Can, You Can, which follows six smokers as they trek to the Everest base camp. Soman leads this pack of individuals, who, despite their addiction, are relatively fit.

In an interview with mid-day, Milind was asked about how he bagged the show, the actor said, 'I jumped at the opportunity to shoot a trek-based show when BBC Worldwide offered it to me. They stated it would follow six people, who had, or continue to battle the addiction of smoking. Three of them want to give it up, while the others had quit a while ago. It chronicles their journey to the Everest base camp. I thought it would be interesting. And I was right, it was brilliant seeing them overcome challenges '

Milind Soman was last seen in the web series Four More Shots Please! His act as the dashing Dr Warsi was very much appreciated by the audience.

On the personal front, Milind Soman is happily married to Ankita Konwar. For those not aware, there's a 26-year age gap between Milind and Ankita. But the couple has proved that age is just a number.

Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar dated for five years before they finally got married not once, but three times. Even the age gap didn't matter to her family because they could see how much in love the couple was. Theirs is one of the best love stories we've read about in recent times! Picture courtesy/Ankita Konwar's Instagram account

We wish Milind Soman a very happy birthday!