🎂 India & World Birthdays Today: Thursday, October 15, 2026
October 15 marks the birth anniversaries of distinguished personalities from India and around the world, including scientists, political leaders, actors, filmmakers, musicians, philosophers and sporting legends. The day is particularly significant in India as it marks the birth anniversary of former President and renowned scientist Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
🇮🇳 Indian Birthdays and Birth Anniversaries
1. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (1931–2015)
95th Birth Anniversary
Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, popularly known as the Missile Man of India, was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. He served as India’s 11th President from 2002 to 2007 and made significant contributions to the country’s space and missile programmes. Remembered as the People’s President, Kalam continues to inspire millions through his dedication to science, education and youth empowerment. His birth anniversary is also associated with World Students’ Day.
2. Mira Nair
69th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1957, Mira Nair is an internationally acclaimed Indian filmmaker celebrated for her distinctive storytelling and exploration of cultural identity. Her acclaimed films include Salaam Bombay!, Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake. Her work has earned international recognition and brought Indian stories to audiences worldwide.
3. Victor Banerjee
80th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1946, Victor Banerjee is a distinguished Indian actor known for his performances in Indian and international cinema. He gained international recognition for his role in A Passage to India and has worked with several celebrated filmmakers throughout his career.
4. Prannoy Roy
77th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1949, Prannoy Roy is a prominent Indian journalist and television personality. He has played an influential role in Indian broadcast journalism, particularly in political reporting, election analysis and coverage of economic developments.
5. Raman Singh
74th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1952, Raman Singh is a senior Indian politician who served multiple terms as Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. He has been an influential figure in the state’s political development and governance.
6. Chhagan Bhujbal
79th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1947, Chhagan Bhujbal is a veteran Maharashtra politician known for his long career in state politics. He has held several important ministerial positions and remained an influential figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
7. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
69th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1957, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is an Indian politician who has served as a Union minister. He has been associated with several government portfolios and has played a role in national political affairs.
8. Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
47th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1979, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is an Indian filmmaker known for directing films that explore family relationships, social expectations and personal ambition. Her notable works include Nil Battey Sannata and Bareilly Ki Barfi.
9. Sai Dharam Tej
39th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1987, Sai Dharam Tej is a Telugu film actor known for his performances in action films and commercial entertainers. His popular films include Supreme, Chitralahari and Virupaksha.
10. Ali Fazal
40th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1986, Ali Fazal is an Indian actor who has established himself in Bollywood as well as international productions. He gained widespread popularity for his role as Guddu Pandit in the crime drama series Mirzapur and has appeared in films such as Fukrey and Victoria & Abdul.
11. Nivetha Thomas
31st Birthday
Born on October 15, 1995, Nivetha Thomas is an Indian actress who has worked in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu cinema. She is known for her performances in films such as Ninnu Kori, Gentleman and Vakeel Saab.
12. Digangana Suryavanshi
29th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1997, Digangana Suryavanshi is an Indian actress, singer and author. She began her career in television before moving into films, working across Hindi and South Indian entertainment industries.
13. Roop Durgapal
38th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1988, Roop Durgapal is an Indian television actress recognised for her work in popular Hindi television serials. She has appeared in several television dramas and entertainment programmes.
14. A. Bhimsingh (1924–1978)
102nd Birth Anniversary
A. Bhimsingh was an influential Indian film director known primarily for his work in Tamil cinema. He directed numerous films and made a significant contribution to South Indian filmmaking during the mid-20th century.
15. Akbar the Great (1542–1605)
484th Birth Anniversary
Akbar, the third emperor of the Mughal dynasty, was born on October 15, 1542. He expanded the Mughal Empire across much of the Indian subcontinent and became known for administrative reforms, cultural patronage and policies aimed at accommodating different religious communities. He remains one of the most significant rulers in Indian history.
🌍 International Birthdays Today
1. Mesut Özil
38th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1988, Mesut Özil is a former German international footballer renowned for his creativity, passing ability and vision on the pitch. He represented major clubs, including Real Madrid and Arsenal, and was part of Germany’s victorious 2014 FIFA World Cup squad.
2. Anthony Joshua
37th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1989, Anthony Joshua is a British heavyweight boxer and former unified world heavyweight champion. After winning Olympic gold at the 2012 London Olympics, he established himself as one of the most prominent figures in professional boxing.
3. Didier Deschamps
58th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1968, Didier Deschamps is a celebrated French football manager and former player. He captained France to victory in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and later guided the national team to the 2018 World Cup title as manager.
4. Dominic West
57th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1969, Dominic West is a British actor known for his performances in television dramas and films. He gained international recognition for his role as Detective Jimmy McNulty in The Wire and later portrayed Prince Charles in The Crown.
5. Sarah Ferguson
67th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1959, Sarah Ferguson is a British author and public figure, widely known as the former Duchess of York. She has also pursued a career in writing and participated in various charitable initiatives.
6. Emeril Lagasse
67th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1959, Emeril Lagasse is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur and television personality. Known for his energetic presentation style, he has played an important role in popularising contemporary American cuisine through television and restaurants.
7. Keyshia Cole
45th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1981, Keyshia Cole is an American R&B singer-songwriter known for her expressive vocals and emotionally charged songs. Her popular tracks include Love, Heaven Sent and Let It Go.
8. Fela Kuti (1938–1997)
88th Birth Anniversary
Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician, composer and political activist who pioneered Afrobeat, blending African musical traditions with jazz, funk and other influences. His music frequently addressed political corruption, inequality and social injustice, making him an influential cultural figure.
9. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
182nd Birth Anniversary
Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher whose writings profoundly influenced modern philosophy, literature and cultural criticism. His best-known works include Thus Spoke Zarathustra and Beyond Good and Evil. His ideas continue to inspire debate among scholars and readers around the world.
10. Richard Carpenter
80th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1946, Richard Carpenter is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. He became internationally famous as one half of the musical duo The Carpenters, alongside his sister Karen Carpenter. The duo produced several enduring pop classics.
11. Tito Jackson (1953–2024)
73rd Birth Anniversary
Tito Jackson was an American singer, guitarist and founding member of the legendary Jackson 5. The group achieved worldwide success with hits such as I Want You Back and ABC, helping shape the sound of popular music in the late 1960s and 1970s.
12. Ncuti Gatwa
34th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1992, Ncuti Gatwa is a Rwandan-Scottish actor who gained international recognition for his performance as Eric Effiong in Sex Education. He later became widely known for playing the Doctor in the long-running British science-fiction series Doctor Who.
13. Bailee Madison
27th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1999, Bailee Madison is an American actress who began acting at a young age. She has appeared in films and television productions, including Bridge to Terabithia, Once Upon a Time and Good Witch.
14. Tanya Roberts (1955–2021)
71st Birth Anniversary
Tanya Roberts was an American actress and model best known for her role as Julie Rogers in Charlie’s Angels and as Stacey Sutton in the James Bond film A View to a Kill. She also appeared in the television sitcom That ’70s Show.
15. Mervyn LeRoy (1900–1987)
126th Birth Anniversary
Mervyn LeRoy was an influential American film director and producer associated with Hollywood’s Golden Age. His career included directing I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang and producing the classic musical fantasy The Wizard of Oz.
16. Mario Puzo (1920–1999)
106th Birth Anniversary
Mario Puzo was an American novelist and screenwriter best known for writing The Godfather. His work on the novel and its film adaptations helped establish one of the most influential crime sagas in modern popular culture.
17. Lee Iacocca (1924–2019)
102nd Birth Anniversary
Lee Iacocca was a prominent American automobile executive who played a major role in the development of the Ford Mustang and later led Chrysler through a difficult financial period. He became one of the most recognisable business leaders in the American automotive industry.
18. David Trezeguet
49th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1977, David Trezeguet is a former French professional footballer who played as a striker. He was part of France’s victorious 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 squads and enjoyed a successful club career, particularly with Juventus.
19. Ginuwine
56th Birthday
Born on October 15, 1970, Ginuwine is an American R&B singer and songwriter known for his smooth vocals and contributions to contemporary R&B. His popular songs include Pony, Differences and So Anxious.
20. Jessie Ware
42nd Birthday
Born on October 15, 1984, Jessie Ware is a British singer-songwriter known for combining sophisticated pop, soul and dance music. Her work has earned critical acclaim, particularly for albums exploring disco-inspired sounds and contemporary dance-pop.
