Super talented, smooth and strapping! Take a look at the men who scored high on JFW’s elusive meter! And according to our survey of young women down south, here in random order, are the eleven most desirable men who stole our hearts by their looks.
DULQUER SALMAAN
D.O.B: 28/07/1986
GENETIC WEAPONS: Voice like the sound of waters rolling, effortlessly casual demeanour
MOMENT OF SPARKS: OK Kanmani and Charlie. And that’s all we need to say.
THE COMPLETE 411: Though born with the proverbial silver spoon, Dulquer, son of Superstar Mammootty, defied the clichés and refused to trek the path often taken by star sons and jump into the realm of acting. With a mind of his own, he refused to inherit a life in the world of cinema and chose to be a businessman instead! He started a web portal for trading cars as his first business venture and also heads a dental chain in Chennai and is the director of Motherhood Hospital in Bengaluru. Way to fight the star kid stereotype! Of course he had a seat reserved in the industry—with his good looks and charm, stepping into the spotlight was inevitable! For his first film, he chose to play an outlaw who is incorrigible and volatile in an unconventional narrative, “Second Show”. Though his smile tugged our heart strings, he wowed us with his acting prowess as Faizy in Ustad Hotel. He stole the show with his performance as Arjun, who wants to find his identity in Bangalore Days. He made girls drool over him in Oh Kadhal Kanmani. He is well known for his power packed performances in Pattam Pole, Charlie and the recent Kali. Though Dulquer’s cinematic journey began only after he had settled down, that hasn’t dampened his sex appeal or female fan following. Two years and nine films later, we are still not bored of his rugged good looks and make- your-heart- thump smirk!
NIVIN PAULY
D.O.B: 11/10/1984
GENETIC WEAPONS: A dimple that makes women go weak on the knees
MOMENT OF SPARKS: Premam and Thattathin Marayathu made him the biggest youth sensation of all times.
THE COMPLETE 411: A man who takes cautious steps in life, it is not surprising that Nivin has been flying high in his career! With his laid back attitude and creative selection of movies, he has made many hearts throb. His tryst with acting was unexpected – an engineer, he tried his luck at a talent hunt for Malarvadi Arts Club and was thus discovered. Hurrah for all women! None can doubt his passion for acting and his dedication for this art, which makes his personality more appealing to female fans than his dashing good looks. A versatile actor, he is tactful in selecting his scripts – each character is different from the other and each role that he portrays is more endearing than the other! A hot property in Mollywood, he stole millions of hearts with his performance as Giri Madhavan in Ohm Shanthi Oshaana and Kuttan in Bangalore Days. He bagged a large fan base in the South with his unique performances in films like Anju Sundarikal, 1983 and Neeram. The quintessential chocolate boy from the Mallu land, though married (not that it matters), has all the qualities that women want in their ‘ideal’ man!
ALLU ARJUN
D.O.B: 8/4/1983
GENETIC WEAPONS: Moves that would wow MJ!
MOMENT OF SPARKS: Arya. Nothing more to say.
THE COMPLETE 411: Taking the film industry by storm with his acting prowess and energetic personality, Arjun has made our hearts beat faster! His boyish charm, soulful eyes and his ability to set the dance floor ablaze has captured every woman’s attention. Attractive and smart, this actor has close liaisons with the megastar of Tollywood, Chiranjeevi, who inspired this style icon to try out for films. He started off as a child artist and then moved on to set the box office cash registers jingling with Gangotri, Arya, Bunny, Happy, Desamudru, Parugu, Arya2, Varudu, Vedam , Badrinath, Iddarammayilatho. Though he had already bagged a large female fan following, he floored us with his performance as Lucky in Race Gurram. Being in the industry for more than a decade, this stylish star has taken failure and success in his stride. Defying the norms and living life on his own terms, this quintessential bad boy of Tollywood has been creating high tides in the world of cinema and making heads turn. Every woman’s dream man, Bunny is witty, charming and confident– the perfect concoction, wouldn’t you agree? Even though he has settled down with the love of his life, he will always have a special place in our hearts.
VIJAY SETHUPATHI
D.O.B: 16/1/1978
GENETIC WEAPONS: Handlebar Moustache and a knack for scripts.
MOMENT OF SPARKS: As the aggressive and suave cop in Sethupathi!
THE COMPLETE 411: Known as the guy who redefined artistic and independent Tamil cinema, he shook the shackles of commerciality and has emerged as a big star! Vijay Sethupathi has been the center of attention for quite a while now and the star’s choice of scripts and creative talent has many movie buffs filling the theatre for days when his movie comes out. So versatile, these are times the actor broke barriers and tried on new looks; an afro, a dreadlock, salt & pepper look and even complete silver fox look! The cutest look of Sethupathi we believe was established in Pizza and Naanum Rowdy Thaan when his natural dimple made him look more vulnerable than he was. When it comes to Sethupathi though it is not just beauty but the brains too. The star has been so selective and creative when it came to scripts that he paved the way for Indie films to hold a spot at the box-office. So you know that when you go out with him you are going to have on awesome, brain-stimulating conversation too! Isn’t he just adorable?
MAHESH BABU
D.O.B: 9/8/1975
GENETIC WEAPONS: Lips that you want to kiss.
MOMENT OF SPARKS: Murari. Dare to deny?
THE COMPLETE 411: One of the most desirable men of cinema, on and off screen, he captured our hearts ever since his debut in Rajakumarudu. A chip off the old block, Mahi is the son of veteran actor Krishna, who made women go weak on the knees, in his day. Outperforming his contemporaries in the film industry, he has delivered blockbusters like Okkadu, Athadu, Pokiri, Dookudu, Nenokkadine and Aagadu. A versatile actor, he has always experimented with his roles– from a kabbadi player to a con artist and an undercover cop, and has won over millions with his acute acting and effortless expressions and of course his dashing looks. Though his lips and eyes are his outstanding features, we don’t mind admiring his physique either! Who wouldn’t? He is tall and handsome – no complaints from any woman! And the way he portrays each character with subtlety and finesse is a clear sign that he pays attention to detail; makes us wonder how he is with women then, or should we say woman? He is happily married! We are certainly happy for you Mahi (wink, wink)!
PRABHAS
D.O.B: 23/11/1979
GENETIC WEAPONS: A body that’s fierce and a smile that can melt!
MOMENT OF SPARKS: The righteous Prince of hearts, Bahubali!
THE COMPLETE 411: Prabhas is not just an actor in Tollywood anymore. He is a global heartthrob ever since he started acting in ‘Bahubali’. Prabhas who is always to be very casual be it with his interviews or behind-the-scenes, is apparently a very shy person in nature. He is also one of the most non-controversial Indian actors and is a down-to-earth person. The humble actor does not acknowledge himself as a national star. An avid reader, he loves to read various fictional and non-fictional books and even has a personal library at home! Prabhas had to go through a rigorous training schedule and followed a strict diet for it – He gained 22kgs for Baahubali. He went to 87kg from 82kg for the role of Shivudu and then reached the mark of 105kg for Baahubali’s character. He ate 40 boiled eggs every day and was trained by Lakshman Reddy, Mr. World 2010. According to a report by India Today, Prabhas loves sports and prefers free-hand workout as opposed to sweating it out in the gym. He got a volleyball court set up in his courtyard to improve his reflexes! He also often plays volleyball with his friends because he considers it a good stress-buster. Prabhas is a fitness freak and considers rock climbing the best form of training. This handsome hunk also has a garden which houses many birds. The birds reside in open cages which give them the freedom to take flight and return to their respective cages. Now, who doesn’t have a crush on him yet?
AJITH KUMAR
D.O.B: 01/05/1971
GENETIC WEAPONS: An ultra-majestic stride and the salt-and- pepper look.
MOMENT OF SPARKS: Aasai. And it was his very first flick as the main character! Surprise, surprise.
THE COMPLETE 411: The George Clooney of South India is every bit as high-toned as the real deal. Although he had made a place for himself among the fore-figures of Kollywood right at his arrival, his struck gold with his fan-base in ‘Varalaru’, his first comeback film that got critically recognized for its huge success. Since then, hardly any of his projects have gone unnoticed, especially since he began to up the ante with each. One does not simply take on a remake of a Rajini-starrer and turn it into an equally compelling blockbuster, but we suppose for Thala, (whose moniker is interestingly enough, a subset of ‘Thalaivar’) there is no glory if it isn’t a formidable challenge. Not only has this Kollywood giant built for himself a charismatic empire in the industry, he has also maintained an image of elegance and polish – his slow-mo entries are the stuff of mega stardom and his slow drawl the best vessels of Tamil punchlines! We could also go on about his Ray-Ban- friendly face and his suave parading of the bow-tie but we’d only be stating the self-evident.
R MADHAVAN
D.O.B: 01/06/1970
GENETIC WEAPONS: ‘Aaaww’-inducing- million-dollar smile and cuddle bear charm
MOMENT OF SPARKS: This ultra-yummy brand of human chocolate stole our hearts in ‘Alaipayuthey’.
THE COMPLETE 411: Ok, where do we even begin? Maddy started winning chick-votes with his first ever major film appearance and the female fandom has never once ebbed; on the contrary, women have been slapping life-sized posters of him in their bedroom for over a decade now. Be it his skinny days during ‘Dumm Dumm Dumm’, ‘Minnale’ and ‘Run’, his rugged look in ‘Ayudha Ezhuthu’ or his latest beefcake avatar for ‘Irudhi Suttru’, we’ve come to love this man in all his forms! It has to do with his ability to express himself in refined diction (refer all the award shows he’s hosted), his disarming candor that is always accompanied by his wit and the potential to earn respect despite being a non-dancer in Kollywood. It’s not just that his films have fared decently and consistently above par in south and the north, the man also values the environment and strives passionately towards its conservation. He has been polled “cutest male vegetarian” by PETA and has constantly been appreciated for his sincere efforts to protect animal rights. With his genuine love towards all beings, it is impossible not to fall for this embodiment of cuteness!
PRITHVIRAJ
D.O.B: 23/07/1975
GENETIC WEAPONS: The gorgeously subtle now-you- see-it- now-you- don’t half smile
MOMENT OF SPARKS: Mozhi. Making everyone speechless with his antics!
THE COMPLETE 411: The son of actors Sukumaran and Mallika, Prithviraj was first spotted by director Fazil. He has several honours in his kitty; He has won two Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor, one Tamil Nadu State Award and a National Film Award (as producer). Starting as the cute Parijatham, ‘Mapillai’ we all hope to see in arranged marriage he was both cute and comedic when he tried to woo Jyothika’s deaf & dumb character in Mozhi. He played a more serious role in Sattham Podathey and we absolutely loved him as the handsome cop, Raam in Mani Ratnam’s Raavan. Playing a more negative role in Kaaviya Thalaivan, he rocked the in spite of sharing the screen with Siddharth in a drama-themed film. Who can forget his bare-chested seductive dancing in the Bollywood song Dreamum Wakeupum along with Rani Mukherjee? This hunk of Kerala is here to stay and has got it all!
KARTHI SIVAKUMAR
D.O.B: 25/05/1977
GENETIC WEAPONS: That open-mouthed nonplussed expression we love seeing him wear!
MOMENT OF SPARKS: ‘Paruthiveeran’, where he monopolized the high-waist lungi and the raw ruggedness of a rural he-man.
THE COMPLETE 411: Would you believe someone who looks like this, originally favored working on the other side of the camera? Not that we doubt his directorial abilities, but in our opinion (concurred with by an army of other women), Karthi belongs in the center of the screen. A rough-hew savage south Indian villager is not a role you’d expect a fresh US return to debut in. But if his elder brother and father’s film careers are anything to go by, Karthi is just as versatile, brave and unconventional in his approach to acting as Suriya and Sivakumar. Owning the titular role in ‘Paruthiveeran’ from introduction to climax, Karthi kept the critics guessing, and Kollywood realized the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. What absolutely endears him to all his fans is the fact that he never rode on the hand-me- down limelight of his family. Raring to discover his niche, Karthi tirelessly put out hit after hit with his ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’, ‘Paiyaa’, ‘Naan Mahaan Alla’ and so on. Sure, his career has seen its share of dry spells, but none he hasn’t bounced back from and the success of ‘Thozha’ tells us that. Sharing searing chemistry with any female lead he is paired opposite, a congenial touch to even his most ruffian of roles, Karthi is one of those men you just cannot get enough of!
DHANUSH
D.O.B: 28/07/1983
GENETIC WEAPONS: Rugged rowdy look and that smile! OMG.
MOMENT OF SPARKS: Pudhupettai for his terrific performance!
THE COMPLETE 411: Dhanush was not accepted as ‘hero’ material when he entered films at the age of 19 with ‘Thuluvadho Illamai.’ Nobody would have guessed, this thin boy wearing glasses would grow up to be a Super star taking on Tamil cinema! With sheer hard work and skill he has made it to one of the most sought after actor in the industry. He gave a line of excellent performances in ‘Kadhal Kondein,’ ‘Polladhavan,’ ‘Aadukalam,’ ‘Mayakkam Enna’ and ‘Maryan.’ He made his Bollywood debut in ‘Raanjhana’ opposite Sonam Kapoor. The film was a blockbuster and his performance was much appreciated by Hindi audience. The Chennai boy will always remain loyal to his Tamil audience and continues to produce, act and sing in films! With Direction is on the cards we expect him to plunge into it soon enough!