International Men's Day: From Aditya in 'Jab We Met' to Jack in 'Titanic', 5 iconic male characters we rooted for

Masculinity in Bollywood movies usually tends to be larger-than-life and spectacular. Starting from the 70s when the cult of the ‘angry young man’ took Amitabh Bachchan to the stratospheric level of success, the male protagonist has mostly been (or tried to be) unflinchingly brawny with a solid nafrat (hatred) for displaying their vulnerable side. While the reckless, fiery, and in many cases trigger-happy hero who is liberal with his fists was something novel in the 70s and made many viewers frustrated with the broken system resonate with him, it seems like he has outstayed his welcome today.

Here are five of the most memorable male leads we have had the pleasure of seeing on-screen. They are well-fleshed out. They are relatable. But they have also redefined the notion of masculinity to a great extent. These on-screen dreamboats are not the best at throwing punches or fighting off ten men at once. They may lack the swagger and pompousness of the swashbuckling 80s hero. But you will never ever feel as if they are ‘weak’ or lacking in any way.

Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh

‘Veer-Zaara’ the 2004 cross-border love story was quite simply… the best of the best. It had Shah Rukh Khan at the apogee of his charm and magnetism. It featured Preity Zinta at the height of her beauty and effortless charm. The movie was one of the last great offerings from Yash Chopra. The veteran director gave it his all. And the audience got a timeless love story that transcended borders.

Khan was simply unforgettable as squadron leader Veer Pratap Singh. Unlike his other iconic characters like Raj and Rahul, Veer is not blessed with the gift of the gab.

Unlike the usual ‘strong and silent’ types, Veer’s masculinity is not ominous.

Unlike the Byronic hero lite that Bollywood often throws at us, he does not appear to brood or wallow in self-pity or gloom. He does not try to be more 'complicated' than he is.

But you still get drawn to his aura of dependability and trustworthiness. Although he is dashing (especially in a uniform) that is not his USP. He is simply a man who you can trust with your life.

Unlike the Rajs and the Rahuls, Veer cannot flirt effortlessly. However, he can take your breath away by assuring you that he will love you unconditionally. Lines like “Sarhad Paar Ek Aisa Shaksh Hai, Joh Aapke Liye Apni Jaan Bhi De Dega,” ( There is a person on the other side of the border who can give his life for you) today might sound a bit cringe, but it still turns many of us into mush.

Aditya Kashyap

Aditya Kashyap, the hero of ‘Jab We Met’ (played to perfection by Shahid Kapoor) was a dreamboat in every conceivable way. Cute good looks? Check. Aloof yet polite aura? Double check. Turned out to be quite the caring and sensitive guy who wants to help out his ladylove without expecting any emotional or physical reciprocation from her? Triple check. What more do you need in a guy?

When Geet (Kareena Kapoor) demands to know why he is being so supportive of her, he is quick to reassure that although he has feelings for her, that is his problem. “Haan, main tujhe bahut pasand karta hoon par woh mera problem hai. Tujhe tension lene ki koi zaroorat nahin. (Yes, I love you but that’s my problem. You don't have to worry about it).” Take note incels who complain about being friend-zoned by your female friends!

Although Kapoor would later go on to play the insanely toxic and so-unabashedly-misogynistic-its-almost-comical Kabir Singh, decades later, Aditya Kashyap would probably be the most memorable character in his kitty.

Jack Dawson

We know this is mostly a Bollywood-centric list, but no tribute to memorable male leads will be complete without a mention of the happy-go-lucky guy from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Is there any straight girl growing up in the 90s and the early 2000s who did not gush about this man? Probably you could count on one hand. And with good reason.

The 1997 blockbuster ‘Titanic’ gave us the star-crossed lovers of the century Jack and Rose. However it also gifted us with quite possibly the most endearing and mesmerising male lead - Jack Dawson (played by Leonardo DiCaprio).

Dawson was in many ways too good to be true. He was armed with enviable good looks, and the ability to charm everyone in his vicinity. But he was not phony. He often spoke about living life at the moment but as he seemed to live them till his last breath, those words don’t just come across as empty. He was short of funds and social standing as a struggling artist. But he had something more precious - a heart of gold. To the very end, he stands by and protects Rose, against myriad evils from a monotonous life where she had little agency to impending death.

Jai Rathore

Although Jai Rathore a.k.a Rats (portrayed by Imran Khan) was a tad bit bashful and seemingly non-confrontational, he knew when to be vocal and use what little muscle power he had when it mattered. Breathtakingly cute and relatable, Jai was the ultimate guy next door who could grow to be Mr. Perfect with time. ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’s protagonist came to be the perfect millennial romantic lead - a hero who can be your BFF as well as the knight in shining armour who can whisk you away on a horse!

Barfi

Barfi, the protagonist of the eponymously named film was a one-of-a-kind romantic lead. He couldn’t hear or speak. But his hearing and speech impairments don’t come in the way of wooing his ladylove, trying to win over her stony-faced parents with an awkward rendition of ‘Jhilmil Sitaro Ka Aangan Hoga’.

He cannot win over others through impassioned speeches and winning dialogues, but that doesnt stop him from being a caring lover. As Barfi’s first love Shruti explains to her mother, “Khamoshi bhi pyaar ki zubaan hoti hai” (Silence can be an expression of love). This is proved especially in the second half of the film where he sets up a chosen family of sorts with Jheelmeel, an autistic girl, who slowly becomes his better half in all but name.

Murphy a.k.a Barfi ( played by a Ranbir Kapoor in his top-form) was not well-off, and neither he had the luxury of proving himself through words. But he managed to prove that strength (both physical and mental) is not contingent on one’s ability to speak or hear.