There’s no beating around the bush, being a leading man or lady in the Hindi film industry takes more than just raw acting talent. With an industry so heavily tilted towards aesthetics, looks matter just as much as histrionic skills. Actors nowadays spend just as much time working out in the gym and achieving a chiselled body with a six pack as they do on acting workshops (perhaps even more). The films they do reflect this – it’s almost mandatory now for a Hindi film to show a leading man shirtless either in a song or fight sequence showing off a toned body (a trend pioneered by the original Shirtless Hero, Salman Khan). 

However, we define sexiness not just on the physicality, but also the overall personality and image. To be sexy, you have to have a certain je ne sais quoi or X-Factor, and 2015 did not disappoint. There were many contenders for the sexiness quotient but there were some who truly stood out this year. Read on to find out who made the cut!

RANBIR KAPOOR

Ranbir Kapoor is one of the most charming and suave actors in the industry today, not to mention one of the most speculated for his love life (no, we’re not going to go into it here). It’s not hard to see why women fawn over him – he’s dashing, good looking and sophisticated in good measures! His casual off screen sense of style is also something we’re a fan of. This year has been a tough one for the Kapoor scion. Barring Tamasha which did average business at the box office, Bombay Velvet and Roy were complete washouts. However, his performance in Tamasha caught our eye. In turns vulnerable and flawed as Dev, but then in equal turns debonair and dashing as Don, Ranbir shone on screen in the film. Ranbir is now knee deep into the shoot of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and seems to be pumping some serious iron to get into shape for it (from fan pictures shared on Twitter). We approve!

RANVEER SINGH

How can we have this list without mentioning Ranveer? If sexiness were to have no physicality attached to it and were to be based entirely on personality, then Ranveer would top the list! There is no other actor who is as lively, as enthusiastic, as exuberant, as uninhibited and as energetic as Ranveer. He loves what he does and it shows! His sense of 'apnapan' with his fans only highlights why he’s got a huge fan following. It’s his sense of humour that makes him sexy too – his hilarious Dubsmash videos and his camaraderie with his ‘baba’ Arjun Kapoor only make him all the more endearing. His excellent performances as the fierce warrior in Bajirao Mastani or his to die for clean cut look in Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhadakne Do left us gasping for air. The icing on the cake? His super toned physique of course. Need we say more?

SHAHID KAPOOR

Shahid Kapoor is one of the most good-looking men in the Hindi film industry today, not to mention incredibly charming, sophisticated and well spoken. It’s not hard to see why women swoon over him. It’s a pity that Kapoor doesn’t get the commercial box office success he deserves, for there’s definitely no lack of talent there. Shahid Kapoor’s solitary release for 2015, Shaandaar, failed spectacularly at the box office but his toned physique, impeccable sense of style, great dancing skills and comedic timing really stood out. Even being off the market hasn’t dimmed his sex appeal. His wedding this year to Mira Rajput brought tears to the eyes of many a hopeful woman and his cute pictures with his wife and his shirtless selfies on Instagram have added to his ‘sexy but sweet’ image. We like. 

SIDHARTH MALHOTRA

It’s not at all hard to see why Sidharth has so many female fans. He’s the ultimate chocolate hero with good looks, good looks and good looks. Did we also mention his toned boy and his sophisticated sense of style?  His buff, raw physique and hardy performance as an MMA fighter fighting against his brother in Brothers (his solitary release for 2015) gave his stardom a different dimension altogether. But it’s really his off screen demeanour we like the best. He’s sweet, humble, extremely down to earth and comes across as an overall Nice Guy in interviews. It’s hard not to like him and feel like he could be your friend. We can’t wait to see more of him on screen in 2016!

VARUN DHAWAN

Varun is the actor that has it all. Just see his Instagram profile and you’ll know what we mean. The man with the most solid 6 (or is it 8? We’ve lost count) pack in town not only carries a drool-worthy physique, but he’s also a skilled dancer and displays impressive acting skills. Of his three releases this year, Badlapur stood out the most with his raw portrayal as a wronged man seeking retribution. We only mention this because it’s the complete package that we find sexy.There’s also his down-to-earth off screen manner and his deadpan sense of humour (that time when he said Dilwale is just like Inception) that can’t help but make us feel that he’s one of the sexiest actors in B-Town today. 

Do you agree with Samarpita's list? As always, holler in the comments below!