TV
In an era where Gen Z is digging into pop culture history for inspiration, Bollywood’s OG heartthrobs are enjoying a significant renaissance. These performers weren’t just film stars. They made a cultural template of romance, style, masculine comportment, one that has been and is being emulated by many of the stars who followed.
From the tousled hair to effortless dancing, these five icons continue to define what it meant to be the perfect romantic lead for an entire generation.
Hrithik Roshan - The Greek God Standard
Hrithik Roshan burst onto the scene with Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and immediately redefined what a Bollywood hero could look like. His chiseled features and athletic physique set an impossible standard that actors still chase today. Beyond his looks, Hrithik brought an intensity to romantic scenes that made audiences believe in love at first sight. His dance moves became the gold standard, that made every actor who made their debut after Hrithik, want to brush up on their dance skills.
Zayed Khan - Bollywood's OG Heartthrob
Zayed Khan's contribution to the romantic hero archetype shouldn't be overlooked. With his striking features and natural screen presence, he brought a different energy to romantic roles, making them more mysterious, more intense. His performances in films like Main Hoon Na and Dus offered glimpses of what could have been a defining romantic career. For many fans, Zayed represents the road not taken in Bollywood romance, making his recent nostalgic resurgence all the more poignant.
Always known to be ahead of his times, he now embarks on a new film , The Film That Never Was, that through the grapevines, is said to be out of the ordinary, featuring 22 stars in cameo roles and a narrative grounded in reality. While everyone is second-guessing what this might be, Zayed cannot wait for audiences to witness it, carrying humility and love in his heart.
Ranbir Kapoor - The Effortless Charmer
Ranbir Kapoor made falling in love look like the most natural thing in the world. With his boy-next-door appeal and mischievous smile, he mastered the art of making romance feel spontaneous and real. His performances in films like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Tamasha, captured the millennial experience of love that usually is complicated, passionate, and beautifully imperfect. Ranbir's ability to convey vulnerability beneath his charm made him the thinking person's heartthrob, someone who could break your heart and make you thank him for it.
Shahid Kapoor - The Versatile Dynamo
The only actor to make your heart skip a beat and match steps with Hrithik after the latter's debut, Shahid Kapoor brought an explosive energy to romantic roles that was impossible to ignore. His background as a dancer translated into magnetic screen presence, making every romantic sequence feel electric. Films like Jab We Met showcased his ability to be both the passionate lover and the reliable friend, creating a new template for the modern romantic hero. Shahid's evolution from chocolate boy to complex romantic lead proved that heartthrobs could have depth, making him a favorite among audiences who wanted substance with their style.
Imran Khan - The Millennial Romantic
Imran Khan perfectly captured the essence of millennial romance with his understated charm and relatable awkwardness. Unlike his more polished contemporaries, Imran made stammering through a love confession look endearing rather than clumsy. His roles in Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na and I Hate Luv Storys spoke directly to a generation navigating modern relationships. Though his career was brief, Imran's natural, unforced approach to romance influenced how audiences expected love stories to feel, real, messy, and beautifully human.
These five actors didn't just play romantic leads. They created a cultural moment that defined how an entire generation understood love, attraction, and masculine charm. As Gen Z rediscovers these performances through social media and streaming platforms, it's clear that great romantic chemistry stays and only gets better with time. Their influence can be seen in today's stars, proving that some icons are truly timeless. In a world of manufactured celebrity, these heartthrobs remind us what authentic screen magnetism looks like.
