5 handsome heros of bollywood

A few years ago at my brother's wedding reception a guest told me that the groom was very handsome. To my remark that my bhabhi was beautiful too, he said, pretty girls are a dime a dozen whereas handsome guys are not common. Which is true, if you ponder on it a bit.

Shyam was the first film hero that I remember being renowned for his looks. He had the army officer kind of tall, aqulined features look- but his looks were too broad, plus that huge mustache made him look middleaged even before he was fatally thrown off the horse. Poor Dilip Kumar had a 'personality' and talent in oodles but no looks to speak of. Raj Kapoor looked a wee bit effeminate first and too 'uncley' (thanks to heavy dinners and drinks) later. Shammi Kapoor looked strange (a joy to the senses with his emoting and energy but not the HANDSOME kinds) The early Rajesh Khanna had clean looks, Sanjay Khan looked pleasent, Feroze Khan was dashing, dont ask about Manoj Kumar or Rajendra Kumar. Sunil Dutt was tall and handsome in a way, as was Joy Mukherjee. Deb Mukherjee was ok looking, Biswajeet (sorry Ipshonlu) was hawhum. Jeetendra.... naah. Ok I had better start the list.

1. Top of the Pops - Dev Anand.

Think of Raju Guide. That was Dev Anand at the peek of his looks. A drunken Raju sings 'Din dhal jaye hai, raat na jaye' with the camera capturing his angst in profile. Whatta profile. He would look at the heroine (the camera) in the eyes and smile slightly. Now that was handsomeness. I know you have to discount the mannerisms and the caricature like looks post 70s. But hark back and our desi homegrown Gregory Peck was the best looker of them all. He was tall, slim and handsome.
Just the face to put on the chocolate box. Watch him in Tere ghar ke Samne, Love Marriage, Kala Pani (with Madhubala), Guide, Tere Mere Sapne, Johnny Mera Naam to mention a few.

Looked best with - Madhubala.

2. Top of the Polls - Dharmendra

Everyone is going say 'aye' to this one. Clean cut features, a perfect body, good voice (unlike Dara Singh's famed Punjabi accent). This one is He-Man personified. It is told that at a film party thrown for newcomers, all eyes were on Sanjay Khan (and one other filmy progeny- i forget the name). Neglected for the lack of godfathers, Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar stood by quietly. Moviegoers dont go for filmy pedigree, as we know well now, and the latter two were huge stars whereas the likes of Sanjay Khan never reached such heights.

Famed for his looks and his casanova tendencies and a hot temper, Dharmendra has provided plenty of grist to the gossip mills as well. He was famed for not being able to say 'no' to a girl. (Alas, where was I then? In pigtails going to school curses !

Watch him in Anupama, Dhool Ka Phool, Satyakam, Devar .. ok.. all the movies -- though for the peak looks watch Jugnu.

Looked best with - Hema Malini

3. Sanjay Dutt - sabka baba with a rotten kismet

Rocky was gawky. But post Naam, in which he looked lovely with his droopy doglike eyes and sensitive face framed by softly falling hair, he was a rage. He worked out, built his body and started the cult of body worshipping. He has had enough ups and down in his life to put the biggest roller coaster to shame. He is still going through bad times. But no denying he is a very handsome guy. I was never a big fan until I saw Mission Kashmir. There were two scenes which instantly endeared him to me. In one scene he is handed a paper to read, not having his reading glasses handy, he askes his junior officer to read the letter for him. That was SO natural. Then the final scene, he took his shirt off to fight the current raging heartthrob Hritik knee deep in water. That did it for me. I have been a die hard Sanjubaba fan ever since.

He doesnt try to look young or chikna but there is a look of vulnerabilty on his face that is so endearing and takes years off him. (Am I raving too much)

Watch him in Naam, Vastav, Munnabhai's, Parineeta, Anthony Kaun Hai, Kaante, Mission Kashmir.. etc

Looks best with - Me (kidding- dont remember his heroines)

4. John Abraham - the ABS guru

There are plenty of actresses who are accused of being low on talent and high on looks, eyecandy they call 'em. Here is the male eye candy. His hair -ooo, his dimples - aah, his abs -- wow. His acting skills are practically non-existent, but he makes up for it by not getting on your nerves (except for that appearence in the KANK song). I know I watched Kabul Express for him, Dhoom for him, Garam Masala for him, and I will watch No Smoking for him too !

Watch him in Jism, Saaya, Dhoom, Kabul Express ..

Looks best with - Bips

5. Dhartipakad Dara Singh

Had his accent been better, had his acting skills been better, he would have given Dharmendra a Very Hard Time. A perfect wrestlers body and good looks. He looked great in miniskirts and sandals (some kind of a historical warrior uniform for hindi films then, a hangover from the Greeks). He rode horses and weilded a sword. He fought dispotic uncles in some mythical kingdoms stuck in 325 BC. Also tried his hand at cavorting with heroines (usually Mumtaz) in half sarees or some kind of a greeky costume. Some of these movies have surprisingly sweet songs.

Actually, he is one actor who is still handsome despite his advanced years. And he hasnt lost his punjabi accent yet either. Still speaks with a decided punjabi lilt... so cute. Pity his son was such a dud.

Watch him in - I remember Dillagi where he was dada to the deol brothers. I guess several movies like Sikandar Porus.

Looked Best with Mumtaz
ps; If you dont like my list, dont kill me, post your own.