With so many talented, handsome and accomplished actors out there, it's a task to narrow a list down to a measly 5 (or 6 in this case), but I thought I'd try. Here are the pics for my fave top 5 leading men.
Tied for #5 - Abhishek Bachchan & Farhan Aktar
There's something about Baby B that I find so irresistible. He's been the shining star in almost every movie I've seen him in - whether he's romancing the girl, trying to win a dance off, conning someone out of their money or pretending to be a gay man, he has a certain charm - kind of like the underdog you want to see come out on top. For me, he gets better and better with each role!
Like the Midas of Bollywood, it seems that everything Farhan touches turns to gold. He's a brilliant director (Don - the Chase Begins is among my faves), is incredibly charming and funny on his tv show Oye, It's Friday, has tried his hand at acting, churning out a couple of critically accepted roles and is one of the very few actors who has actually done his own singing (and done it well, I might add). He also has a smile that could melt hearts! Can't wait for Don 2!
4. Saif Ali Khan
Saif reminds me of a lost puppy dog - albeit a pup with a pedigree. He has a boyish, almost Peter Pan like charm that translates through in his films - at least in the majority of the ones I've seen. Characters like DCH's Sameer, Salaam Namaste's Nikhil Arora, KHNH's Rohit Patel, Hum Tum's Karan Kapoor - all are a superb combination of comedy and sensitivity that are incredibly endearing. I defy anyone to not end up rooting for him to make it in the end.
3. Hrithik Roshan
More than just a pretty face with an Adonis-like stature, Hrithik is one of those actors that I didn't really get at first. Like Abhishek, Hirthik's appeal has grown for me with each movie. Yes, he can weild a sword like nobody's business, and the dancing, well it speaks for itself, but the boy can actually act. Koi...Mil Gaya was probably one of the sweetest films I've seen to date, and I was worried when I saw what Hrithik was trying to pull off, but he did it, with aplomb. Despite recent actions and comments, he still lands firmly into my top 5.
2. Aamir Khan - I'm starting to wonder if Bollywood leading men are an acquired taste. I only say this because it's seems that, so far, all of my top 5 have grown on me only over time. Aamir is no exception. Taare Zameen Par was the first film I saw him in, and while he was good, the movie itself is what stood out to me more. While I could credit him immediately for his immense talent as an actor, it wasn't until I'd seen a few more of his films that I started recognizing his appeal. Aamir is sexy without trying (with the exception of Ghajini, though I prefer the Sanjay without the 8 pack), and the intense nature of his character just adds to his smoldering layers.
1. Shah Rukh Khan - If this comes as a surprise to you, then welcome to my blog. To be completely and totally cliché, he had me at hello (insert groan here). That smile, those dimples, that nose (I have a thing for big noses!). When people ask me why I love Shah Rukh, several things come to mind. He is eloquent, intelligent, has enough charm to fill the Ganges and enough sex appeal to fill the Indian Ocean, but above all, it's his character that impresses me most. In an industry where relationships last as long as the life cycle of a gnat, he exhibits a sense of loyalty not maintained by many - a loyalty that helped him get where he is today despite not having any family ties to the business when he started. There's nothing like a self-starter. Plus, to me, he just emanates masculinity at every turn. I could go on and on, but that's another post.
And, there you have it.
Until next time, namaste!
July 30, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Oo, pretty people! And such nice commentary. :-) I agree with you about SRK's ability to maintain relationships. I imagine that for someone not from a filmi clan that that's the ability that gave him staying power. (Well, that and the famed charisma.) And I'll join you in eagerly awaiting Don 2!
July 31, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Good post. LOL at Ganges and Indian Ocean! You are right about his intelligence. In the transient tinsel world of filmdom he realises that the only truthful thing is his family ie wife & kids and his sister. Perhaps losing his parents at a young age has even more made him realise the importance of family. Must admit he looks old and tired in his recent pics (on the web) which is natural after all every one has to age some time!
July 31, 2009 at 3:41 AM
I really fail to see Srk's sex appeal, Hrithiks's maybe but definitely not Srk. I find him so irritating in most commercial flicks as i've said on here before, those corny dialogues he often spews out can often be stomach churning. The only place i've seen his charm and liked it is in DDLJ,he really left an impression on me then
July 31, 2009 at 7:17 AM
@ Ajnabi - Thanks and they are pretty, aren't they! We have quite a wait for Don 2, but I'm sure it will be worth it.
@ Anon - You liked that comparison did you? That's me trying to be witty I suppose. I'm sure you are right about why he's so family focused. I've read several times that his biggest fear is losing another loved one. Must have been difficult growing into adulthood without his parents there, but he did a fine job. I agree with you on the looking tired thing, but we all grow older as time marches on. However, at least he's doing it gracefully.
@ bollywooddeewana - I really think that Shah Rukh is an actor/person that people either love or hate - there doesn't seem to be a lot of middle ground. Hrithik almost shoves his sex appeal in your face, maybe that's why I like SRK. With the exception of Om Shanti Om's 'Dard-E Disco, his is s subtle sexiness. I would be interested to hear who your top hero is (from our current actors, that is. Heroes from Bollywood past is another topic).
July 31, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Great post - I have to say you have great taste ;-). And I love what you said about SRK. Also love that picture of Hrithik!
July 31, 2009 at 10:35 AM
@ Daddy's Girl - Thanks! Been thinking about doing this post for a while. My fave heroines will be much tougher I think.
It was hard narrowing down why I love Shah Rukh for such a small blurb. I'll have to do a whole post one day on all my reasons.
I'd never seen that pic of Hrithik before. It's pretty darn hot!
July 31, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Nice post :-)
For me, Aamir Khan would be number 1 any day! I've liked SRK in very few films (like Swades, Veer Zaara, Baazigar and DDLJ). Hrithik is another brilliant actor..he really has a massive sex appeal! Wasn't he just fabulous as Akbar in Jodhaa Akbar?
P.S. I can't wait for the second installment of Don too! Farhan makes his movies with such conviction..Don was too much fun! Don2 will be bigger and better for sure!
July 31, 2009 at 9:36 PM
lol at your comment about Bollywood leading men being an acquired taste! That is so true about Saif and SRK for me. Saif just had bad movies and bad style pre-Dil Chaahta Hai. As for SRK, I HATED his first onscreen appearance (in a TV series that was wildly popular with my high school classmates). It wasnt till I watched his fun performances outside films (ads, interviews, chat shows, emceeing awards functions, etc.) that there was a softening in my attitude. Now, I would definitely put myself in the middle category - I enjoy some of his movies (Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om and Chak De India) and like him well enough, but dont love him.
Hrithik for me falls in the "instantly acquired" taste category - his first film was just soooooo nice. I love Farhan Akhtar (am I the only one who wishes he would NEVER sing?) and Abhishek, too.
Lovely list - there just isnt anything like a good hero (and heroine, of course!) to make for a good film!
July 31, 2009 at 10:30 PM
@ Bhargav - I have to admit that I've really liked Aamir in everything I've seen him in, whereas there's a couple of Shah Rukh movies that didn't quite hit the mark for me. Surprising I know.
I do agree that Hrithik just oozes sex appeal, but I find him almost too thin. It's like he's the Matthew Mcconaughey of Bollywood. Yes, he was fantastic in /jodhaa Akbar, even with the moustache!
@ bollyviewer - I wonder had my first filmi experiences been watching an Akki, Sallu, Govinda (etc) movie if my faves today would be different. Though, even after seeing him in some movies that I liked, I don't think I will ever soften to Sallu. I suppose that's how some feel about Shah Rukh, and that's okay. To each their own, right?
You really hate Farhan's singing? I think he's pretty good for someone who's not classified as a singer. If anything, I think he deserves credit for going out on a limb for Rock On!!
And as for our heroines, there are some wonderful ones out there. I can't wait to do that post!
August 2, 2009 at 6:22 PM
you forget the big amount of love srk always gives in every role and everything, the fact that he does not take himself (ego) too serious and that he can act!
August 3, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Okay, I think I need to do a bit of shuffling.. I think Aamir takes 4th for me. Mine goes SRK, Saif, Hrithik, and then Aamir... and then Abishek...
Oh... but wheere oh where does AmiBachy fit in?!? Oy!!!
August 3, 2009 at 7:10 AM
@ hi hi - You're absolutely right, but as I said, SRK deserves a more in-depth post all of his own!
@ Jules - Well, Amitabh can figure into your top 5 sis! I think if I was going by physique, then Hrithik would be up there, but I also figured in acting, yaar! ;)