Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor has been voted the Sexiest Asian Man in the world in an annual UK poll released in London.
The 36-year-old popular actor of recent award-winning films such as Udta Punjab beat competition from chart-topping British-Pakistani singer Zayn Malik, last year’s winner who came in at third this year.
Following Shahid Kapoor was Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, who has been ranked second for the third year in a row in the 50 Sexiest Asian Men poll conducted by London-based weekly newspaper Eastern Eye. Zayn Malik ranked at number three, while TV stars Vivian D’sena and Ashish Sharma ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
Resident favourite, Fawad Khan ranked number six on this list, making him the only Pakistani to be in the top ten.
Speaking to the newspaper, Kapoor said, “I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. I am humbled by the desirable tag.”
“I believe sexy is not only to do with the physical but as much to do with the mental perspective on life. This one is for all those fans who have loved and supported me,” he said.
The annual list, which is based on votes from fans around the world, generated heat on social media as millions from around the world participated.
Eastern Eye entertainment editor and founder of the ’50 Sexiest Asian Men’ list, Asjad Nazir, cited Kapoor’s growing profile as a role model as a key factor behind his big win this year, despite the postponement of his hotly-anticipated film Padmavati, in which he portrays the role of Rawal Ratan Singh.
“Apart from showing off his impressive versatility as an actor and regularly delighting female fans with his chiselled physique, the handsome actor has won the hearts of fans with his devotion to his wife and young child,” says Nazir.
“Being a devoted family man has not only made him even more appealing to women but also a generation of young men who look up to him,” he adds.
Others on the top end of the list included actors Salman Khan at number seven, Gurmeet Choudhary at number eight and Ranveer Singh at number nine. Virat Kohli ranked number ten and was the only sportsman on the list.
Interestingly, the youngest on the list is 20-year-old Pakistani singer and musician Danyal Zafar (41) who ranked at number 41. Danyal Zafar took to Instagram to thank his friends and followers writing, “Thank you, everyone, for the heartfelt wishes! At a loss for words for all the love you guys have shown me!”
The oldest entry in the list is once again 52-year-old Shah Rukh Khan. The editorial choice for 2017 is British actor-musician Riz Ahmed for helping to “build cultural bridges” with his acting and music.
Ali Zafar, Imran Abbas and Atif Aslam also made it to the list, being ranked at number 12, 29 and 43 respectively.
Last week, Indian actress Priyanka Chopra was named as the Sexiest Asian Woman for the fifth time, while Mahira Khan was ranked number five.
