India is a country of over 1.3 billion people, so there are many celebrities and public figures who are admired and fawned over. However, a select few seem to capture the hearts of Indians more than others. These beloved icons transcend region, language, and demographic – their widespread appeal makes them the collective “crush” of the nation. But who are these celebrities that India cannot get enough of? Let’s explore some of the top contenders for the title of India’s biggest crush.
Virat Kohli
One of the top athletes in India right now is cricket star Virat Kohli. As the captain of the Indian national cricket team and a prolific batsman, Kohli has reached incredible heights of fame and success. He is currently the #1 ranked ODI batsman in the world and holds numerous cricket records. Beyond his strong batting and leadership, Kohli is admired for his fitness, aggressive passion for the game, and determination to be the best.
With a massive fan following of over 47 million on Instagram alone, Kohli generates huge excitement whenever he takes the field. His good looks, fit physique, sense of style, and marriage to famous actress Anushka Sharma have also drawn in many adoring fans. Kohli transcends just cricket lovers – he’s a national icon and heartthrob for Indians across the board.
Deepika Padukone
One of the top actresses in Indian cinema today is Deepika Padukone. With her stunning beauty, acting talent, and grace, she has emerged as a leading lady of Bollywood. She has starred in several of the highest grossing Indian films like Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani, and Chennai Express.
Beyond her success on screen, Padukone is admired for her fashion sense, relatable personality, and speaking out on mental health issues. She is extremely popular on social media with over 64 million Instagram followers. Padukone is able to charm fans across generations – from young people who look up to her to older audiences familiar with her traditional beauty. She exemplifies the modern Indian woman.
MS Dhoni
Like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni is another Indian cricket sensation. As the former captain of India’s national team and wicketkeeper-batsman, Dhoni led the team to huge victories like the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. While he has retired from international cricket, Dhoni remains an incredibly popular player in the Indian Premier League.
Dhoni has earned the nickname “Captain Cool” for his calm and pragmatic leadership style. He has received multiple awards like the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Padma Bhushan for his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket. What makes Dhoni such a widely admired icon is his modest, down-to-earth personality despite all his success as a player and captain.
Amitabh Bachchan
When it comes to Bollywood superstars, few are bigger than Amitabh Bachchan. He rose to fame in the 1970s with films like Zanjeer and Deewar, and later starred in all-time blockbusters like Sholay. While he continues to act in movies today, Bachchan has achieved a god-like status after reigning over Indian cinema for nearly 50 years.
Bachchan’s deep voice, brooding good looks, and intense acting performances made him a heartthrob. Yet his staying power comes from his graceful aging, close family ties, and ability to reinvent himself over the decades. Bachchan is deeply respected as a living legend of Bollywood. For multiple generations of Indians, he was literally the crush of the nation.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
In recent years, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has become a global sensation as she has transitioned from Bollywood to Hollywood. She won the Miss World pageant in 2000 and later established herself as one of the highest paid actresses in India. Chopra Jonas has since broken into American films and television, even starring in the thriller series Quantico.
Chopra Jonas is admired for her exotic beauty, bold personality, and championing of Indian culture abroad. She has over 81 million followers on Instagram. Chopra Jonas’ glamorous high-profile marriage to American musician Nick Jonas has only increased public intrigue. She represents the modern Indian woman excelling on the global stage.
Hrithik Roshan
With his stunning green eyes, chiseled physique, and fluid dance moves, Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan has become the quintessential heartthrob of Indian cinema. He first captured national attention with his performance in the blockbuster romance Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. Roshan went on to star in big action movies like the Krissh series, Dhoom 2, and Bang Bang.
In addition to his good looks, Roshan is known for portraying his characters with intensity and nuance. He has won many accolades for his acting and dancing. Roshan maintains a huge fan base, especially among young urban audiences. He remains a bankable romantic hero even in his late 40s. For many Indians, Roshan still epitomizes the ultimate Bollywood crush.
Katrina Kaif
British-Indian actress Katrina Kaif has emerged as one of Bollywood’s most desired actresses. With her stunning beauty and graceful dance skills, she has starred in numerous hit films like Ek Tha Tiger, Dhoom 3, and Bang Bang opposite the top actors.
Despite facing some backlash early on for her poor Hindi skills, Kaif has found her footing – she’s admired for her exotic looks, fitness regimen, and blockbuster box office draw. She is among Bollywood’s highest paid actresses with an enormous fan following on social media. For audiences worldwide, the elegant and glamorous Kaif represents a quintessential Indian beauty.
Shah Rukh Khan
No list of India’s biggest celebrities would be complete without Shah Rukh Khan. Known as “King Khan” or “SRK,” he has reigned over Bollywood since the 1990s with his charisma, diverse roles, and global popularity. SRK has literally hundreds of award nominations to his name and is one of the richest actors in the world.
From romantic roles in films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to bad boy parts in Darr and Don, SRK has showcased incredible versatility. But his enduring appeal comes from his wit, charm, and business savvy. Khan is able to balance stardom and family life. For multiple generations now, SRK has been India’s most consistent heartthrob – making him perhaps the biggest crush.
Most Popular by Gender
While the celebrities mentioned above have widespread appeal across India, some tend to be more popular crushes based on gender:
| Men | Women |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Deepika Padukone |
| MS Dhoni | Priyanka Chopra Jonas |
| Hrithik Roshan | Katrina Kaif |
Among men, India’s biggest male athletes and Bollywood stars tend to be most admired. For women, the top Bollywood actresses are generally the most beloved public figures.
Most Popular by Age
The famous crushes also differ based on age demographics:
| Youth | Middle Age | Seniors |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Deepika Padukone | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Hrithik Roshan | Priyanka Chopra Jonas | Shah Rukh Khan |
| Katrina Kaif | MS Dhoni |
Younger Indians tend to idolize contemporary cricket stars and Bollywood actors/actresses. Middle-aged audiences have crushes on celebrities who represent success and global appeal. For seniors, Bollywood veterans like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan hold nostalgic appeal.
Regional Differences
Regional differences also impact the popularity of public crushes across India’s diverse states and languages:
| North | South | West | East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shah Rukh Khan | Rajinikanth | Ajay Devgn | Prosenjit Chatterjee |
| Deepika Padukone | Anushka Shetty | Deepika Padukone | Dev Adhikari |
| Virat Kohli | MS Dhoni | Hrithik Roshan | Jeet Gannguli |
The mega stars of Bollywood rule the north, while the south prefers their own regional language superstars. Marathi cinema icons are most popular in the west, and Bengali film personalities dominate in the east. But athletes like Kohli and Dhoni enjoy national appeal.
The Next Generation of Stars
While established celebrities largely dominate India’s current crush list, there are some rising younger stars that may reach national heartthrob status soon:
– Ranbir Kapoor – With acclaimed films like Rockstar, Kapoor is on his way to superstardom.
– Alia Bhatt – She has impressed audiences with roles in Highway, Raazi, and more.
– Ranveer Singh – His versatility in movies like Bajirao Mastani and Gully Boy has made him one to watch.
– Kriti Sanon – She has delivered hits like Luka Chuppi while charming fans with her girl-next-door appeal.
– Vicky Kaushal – He became a sensation after performances in Masaan and Raazi.
– Shraddha Kapoor – She has risen with popular films like the ABCD dance franchise.
– Sushant Singh Rajput – A noted TV actor who made an impression in Bollywood with Kedarnath and MS Dhoni biopic.
– Sara Ali Khan – Daughter of Saif Ali Khan has debuted with a splash with Kedarnath and Simmba.
These young rising stars have started garnering dedicated fans. It remains to be seen if their stardom and magnetism grows to the level of India’s current national crushes.
Conclusion
India’s biggest public crushes represent the country’s ideologies, dreams, and evolution. As society changes and new stars emerge, the identities of these beloved icons continue to be redefined. But a few personalities have shown incredible endurance, maintaining their status as national heartthrobs across decades. For now, celebrities like Virat Kohli, Deepika Padukone, and Shah Rukh Khan appear to be the collective crushes of India. They exemplify success, beauty, style, and cultural values that Indians aspire to.