Then and now: a pictoral

After a very small debate with bollyviewer a little while ago on whether or not Shah Rukh ever had a baby face, I was inspired to do a post on some of Bollywood's current leading men, then and now. Are our heroes aging gracefully or have they past their prime?




I never thought of Aamir as a heartthrob until I saw Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, but even before the last notes of Papa Kehte Hain finished I could definitely see that he had an irresistible charm. Like his work, he continues to get better with age!


I'm not sure when this was taken, but he looks damn hot! *gratuitous Aamir shot*




I've seen very few of Akshay's movies, which is ridiculous seeing as how his roster is miles long, but I can still see why he is considered one of Bollywood's most notorious playboys. Though, I have to admit, I like the softer version of Akki from earlier years to his look now.





No longer just a pretty boy, Hrithik's look has changed over the years. With each new role we've seen him emerge from squeaky clean boy to ruggedly sexy (and super buff) man.






A victim of the terrible mullet craze, there' still no denying that Saif had the looks of a heartbreaker early in his career. With almost 50 movies to his credit, his look has matured as much as his acting. Though, with Saif, I prefer the clean shaven look, the facial hair does lend him a bit of masculinity to that otherwise smooth baby face!




I have never pretended to be a fan of Salman, and of today's actors, I think he's the one who has maintained his look rather than evolve (although, searching for pics I did happen upon some really fantastic shots of him in a rather current photo shoot that I feel compelled to post separately). I also think that he looks the oldest out of the Khans.

And, of course, I save the very best for last....








Okay, I know I am completely biased, but I absolutely still think that Shah Rukh had a bit of a babyface back in the day. I also think that he is one of the actors who has, without a doubt, gotten better with age (though he is looking a little too thin these days for sure). People may be starting to call him uncle, but to me he'll always just be a man - and a very handsome one at that!

17 Response to "Then and now: a pictoral"

  1. Anonymous Says:
    August 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM

    I agree with you on most points! Definitely like the softer Akshay better-- I was never and have a feeling that I will never be a fan of the 'rugged playboy' look. The same actually goes with Hrithik. He looks good... but the muscles are a major turn-off for me. :p

    Saif does look better without facial hair, IMO, but he doesn't necessarily look bad with it, either. I guess he lucks out there!

    I agree with you on Salman. And though I've never been a fan of his acting or looks, I do admit that he didn't look too bad in his earlier days.

    Re: the babyfaced SRK-- I think he did have a bit of a babyface, but it wasn't as drastic as some (Shahid, for example, is the epitome of babyfaced actors). He is looking nice, and aging very well.

    And really, the 'uncle' tag isn't a bad thing. People get older, it's a fact of life! I think Shah Rukh understands and accepts that, giving his recent roles. In comparison to Aamir (who I still love and think is looking very nice, also), who is playing tons more college/young kids lately, the last time Shah Rukh did that was... forever ago. He's been taking up a lot of roles where he's a father/teacher/coach figure, instead. And really, I'd love Uncle!SRK just the same as always. =)

  2. bollyviewer says:
    August 24, 2009 at 4:27 PM

    SRK looks scrumptious in that last photo. Is it from a film? Those brainy glasses are cool. I think he looks a lot better now than when he started out - but then, the 90s were unkind to everybody! As to babyface, do you think he could pass for a high school kid like Aamir did (splendidly) in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander or like Shahid could've at the beginning of his career?

    Hrithik and Saif also seem to be getting better looking with time. I do wish I didnt have to look at Hrithik's bulging biceps, though!

  3. Shellie says:
    August 24, 2009 at 7:10 PM

    @ rilex - I agree with you 100% on the aging actor thing. I'm glad Shah Rukh isn't trying to be something he's not; plus I enjoy him in the dad role. Nothing says sexier to me than maturity! And thanks for semi-agreeing with me on the baby face thing. Definitely not Shahid, granted, but there was a bit there. I would have included Shahid in this, but I think we've only just begun to see changes in him, so I'll reserve him for another post down the line.
    As for Hrithik, I also think that the supt huge biceps are over the top. He's so thin, he'd better watch he doesn't start toppling over from being too top heavy!

    @ bollyviewer - I have no idea where that last photo is from (I just found it doing a search), but it is DREAMY!!!!! He looks amazing in those smart glasses and suit. What a man!!!! I may have to print it off and frame it. Is that too over the top?
    As to babyface, do you think he could pass for a high school kid like Aamir did (splendidly) in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander or like Shahid could've at the beginning of his career?
    I haven't seen that Aamir movie, so I don't know how old he was when he did it. I don't think Shah Rukh could have pulled off playing a college student in the last 10 years, but I totally bought him in KKHH. Shahid passes for those roles all the time because he is that age. When he's in his early 30's we'll see if he still could pull off those younger roles (but I think he probably could).
    Also, I think Hrithik's muscles (esp in that pic) are way too big. See my comment to rilex. I like how his face is maturing though.

  4. bollywooddeewana says:
    August 25, 2009 at 4:51 AM

    I agree with you on saif i think he looks the best with facial hair and i really think he should shave off all his hair, he was perfect in Omkara check out his look in that

    As for Srk i think one can definitely see the signs of aging plus i think he's losing way too much weight these days, i think Akki has aged the best of the whole lot, the only difference i notice from him are that in his earlier days he was way hairy but now he seems all waxed and preened

  5. Shellie says:
    August 25, 2009 at 6:44 AM

    I was planning on adding Omkara to my shopping list, and now I'll be sure to look for him.

    Oh, there's no doubt that Shah Rukh is looking a little tired. I fear he is overworking, and with all the rumored movies ahead of him in the next year or so, I don't see him slowing down. I hope he slows down and takes care of himself.

    Akki definitely still has it going on!

  6. Soul Seared Dreamer says:
    August 25, 2009 at 2:15 PM

    Saif & Aamir certainly look better... they lacked that huge sex appeal and wow factor and both have it in abundance now. Prime has been fantastic for them both.

    SRK still looks good but has started to look a big worn out. I apologise for saying this and hope you won't kill me.

    Akshay looks good sometimes and crap at other times of late.. but generally looks good. But I disagree with you.. he looks way better now - which I stress doesnt belittle how great he looked before.

    Hrithik is still new and looks the same to me. I see no difference.

    And Salman - I think he looks a right twat to be honest now.

  7. Soul Seared Dreamer says:
    August 25, 2009 at 2:17 PM

    I think that picture of SRK comes from his stint as presenter of the Asian "Who wants to be a millionaire".

  8. Shellie says:
    August 26, 2009 at 12:55 PM

    @ SSD - hi hon! Thanks for stopping by!!! lol about Salman. Does anyone really like him out there? I've yet to come across someone who's a fan at all. Hrithik is still newish, but he has matured some. The pic I chose he still looks pretty young, but I think that's because he's pretty much clean shaven. The long haired full bearded look he was seen sporting shortly after Cannes was way too awful to publish. Also, you are allowed to have your opinion of my darling Shah Rukh, and i promise I won't kill you. Even I can see he's looking tired, but no matter what he'll always be my #1.

    As for the pic, thanks. Was that very recent though? I'm pretty sure the strap belongs to the harness he was wearing after his surgery.

  9. Daddy's Girl says:
    August 26, 2009 at 3:34 PM

    Fun post! Hrithik did go a bit overboard on the muscles - he needs to take it easy with those weights. I have to agree with bollywooddeewana that Akshay is aging really well - he still looks really young in the face.
    Salman is trying too hard to look the way he did when he started out. (And desperately clinging to 'young' roles too). Not a good look. I had a fight with a friend of mine over this, actually - she asked which of the Khans was aging best, and I said SRK. She accused me of bias, saying Salman was the clear winner! It got quite ugly, I have to admit! I will have to try hard to resist the temptation to show her this post (and the comments) just to prove I'm not the only one who thinks Shahrukh is aging better than Salman!

  10. Shellie says:
    August 26, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    I have to revise my comments on Akshay - he definitely looks very good these days. Modern and current without going overboard like Hrithik.

    And, OMG, someone must be looking through rose colored glasses if they think Salman is aging well! Though I almost feel like I'm picking on him. I'm going to have to post those pics I found to make up for all the abuse he's getting.

  11. ajnabi says:
    August 26, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    Nicki--apunbindaas--is a huge Sallu-uncle fan. I think Hrithik looks better now than when he was He-Man style superbuff. Knee surgery was the best thing that ever happened to that man's arms.

  12. Shellie says:
    August 27, 2009 at 7:19 AM

    Ajnabi, Do you like his scruffy hair full bearded face better than his look before? For me, it's too much to see through.

  13. dunkdaft says:
    August 27, 2009 at 1:14 PM

    as a child, I had that first snap of Aamir on a postcard, and had always wondered - when my body hair will grow up like that??? lol. [i think i have that postcard still]

    really nice post. I too prefer older Akki's look rather than today's

  14. Shellie says:
    August 27, 2009 at 3:25 PM

    Thanks Darshit! How ironic then that somewhere along the way Aamir became another smooth chested man? Does no hair = sexy?

  15. Jules says:
    August 27, 2009 at 10:41 PM

    Sorry... I got lost in the gorgeousness presented here over and over again. I have to go off to my room now.

    Just call me gobsmacked at the beauty set before me here today... and thank you sister, for being so lovingly thoughtful for making this post!

  16. Shellie says:
    August 28, 2009 at 6:17 AM

    Sis, anytime! No opinions though?

  17. Anonymous Says:
    November 9, 2014 at 8:26 PM

    The last picture of Shahrukh was from the India Today Conclave in 2009 where he gave a talk on how art can overcome hate, he was his usual hilarious and exceptionally insightful self there as well