The adjective 'sexy' lends itself easier to women — spanning the gamut from the buxom Monica Bellucci to the elfin Sonam Kapoor to the ethereal Aishwarya to the earthy Bipasha… But there’s a whole burgeoning brigade of male sexiness too — from the macho to the suave to the rugged…. And everyday, one more ‘sexiest male’ list emerges, testimony to the fact that the boys want to be counted in and connotations of the word have evolved even for men.

It’s not all about aquiline noses, chiselled jaws and sculpted abs. ‘Sexy’ for men now denotes a heady combination of power, wealth, fame, success, illustrious family lineage, celebrated ethics. And, as for good looks? They’re a bonus, not compulsory. When national pride and the God of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar was named one of the sexiest men in sport by an international magazine, some eyebrows were raised. After all, the soft spoken, reticent cricketer isn’t cookie-cutter sexy. But at 5’4”, Sachin’s success makes him stand head and shoulders above the competition.
Karnataka’s Vinay Kumar, a recent entrant to the now glamorous world of cricket, is also on the list after having shone on the field during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2010. A shy Vinay bursts into laughter when asked about this, “I really don’t know how to react to something like this. It’s so unexpected! First and foremost, I’d like to be known as a good cricketer and then the rest can follow.” But doesn’t this kudo translate into more endorsements, perhaps even a chance in the world of cinema? He re-emphasises that being a good cricketer is his first ambition, “But if something good comes along the way, I might just consider it.”
Noted ad man Prahlad Kakkar attempts to define the term ‘sexy’ when it comes to men. “Firstly, it’s important to realise that it’s not just women who can be sexy. Men are also sexy in their own right. The word sexy is not a taboo, it’s an adjective like any other and I recommend that we use it openly to make ourselves clear. Also, sexy is not something that’s restricted to looks alone as there’s so much more to a person. When it comes to men, it could be anything right from his looks, his personality to even the perfume he wears that makes women label him sexy. On the other hand, it could be a very ordinary looking man but maybe he can talk and by that I don’t just mean talk like you and I: this is someone who can verbally sweep women off their feet, so he automatically falls into the ‘sexy’ category for them.”
Experts indicate various men who women fall for head-over-heels and point out that none of them fall into any preconceived definition of good-looking, let alone sexy. The Badshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan is a prime example. Prima facie, he’s no Greek God but there’s no denying his irresistible charm capable of wooing the most cynical woman. Or Dr Vijay Mallya — an avuncular walrus of a man whose sex appeal lies as much in his big personality as it does in his success, power and of course, wealth. Rahul Gandhi, one of the country’s most eligible bachelors, is again, not classically handsome. Yet, the legacy of his family, his attempt to lead the youth with his austerity drives and a charming sincerity have propelled the young Gandhi scion into the ‘sexy’ bandwagon.
Award-winning photographer Sharad Haksar, known for his magic touch with the camera, says that even time influences the way we perceive people, “In the beginning, especially when it comes to first impressions, a person might not look sexy or even handsome for that matter. But during the course of time there are so many changes and a man’s personality evolves, making him an enigma to some, a charmer to others. These men in particular those who are constantly in the public sphere, grow on you and it’s just a matter of time before they become sexy or hot or any other such similar label.”
Women acquiesce — it’s not all about looks but an attitude that swathes men in sexiness. “You can call a man sexy, you can call him gorgeous or even hot. Take a closer look and you will realise that it’s his attitude that makes him so. I’ve always believed that people will only think of you the way you project yourself, so if a man projects himself as cool, confident and stylish, the rest of the world will believe exactly that,” says celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani.
It is the elusive je ne sais quoi then that women are trying to articulate — for some it’s mystery, for some it’s accessibility — but some guys have it and some just don’t. Fashion designer Falguni Peacock believes things shouldn’t be taken at face value, “I think it has more to do with personality than anything else. I just cannot relate to a good-looking man who speaks badly the minute he opens his mouth. There’s nothing worse than a man who can’t speak or carry himself well. Most men whom we call sexy these days have an aura that draws you to them — we can find different words for this — power, achievement, persona… But ultimately it’s a cocktail of all these things that hold the key to a man’s appeal.”
So good looking or not, these days don’t be quick to dismiss an average looking Joe. Like they say, it’s all about the attitude.