A beauty pageant for OiG’s second birthday!

Yes, Old is Gold is exactly two years old, today. I’ve had so much fun in blogland that in the last two years, time just flew past! While the first year was the Year of Discovery (of all the great film-lovers and writers), the last year has been the Year of Fun! I’ve had a ball, discussing movies with all of you who stop by here, and at all my favorite blogs. The highlight of last year was getting to know all of you and meeting some of my favorite bloggers in person. Bolly-blogging zindaabad!!!

An occasion like this calls for a celebration of some sort. Cakes and champagne are so passé. No, I want a party, a BIG one, with lots of beautiful people. How about a beauty pageant? That would be fun, and there would be a parade of beautiful people. Its come to OiG’s attention that there are shocking gender inequalities in the eye-candy department. An injustice that we female bloggers have been doing our best to redress. But its not enough! For true gender equality, male beauty MUST be celebrated more openly, and men MUST be given more credit for their unsung contribution to eye-candy. A beauty pageant for beautiful actors - that is the obvious place to start. So lets have a beauty pageant that rewards beauty and brawn, instead of beauty and brains.

Since this is Old is Gold, we will naturally look to actors of yore. And since the 70s had the biggest compliment of hunks, thats where we'll focus our attention. The panel of judges for this competition is ALL OF YOU! I’ve listed the candidates in my order of preference, and the poll in the right sidebar allows you to pick your own Mr. Bollywood! So lets see who is walking the ramp tonight:

10. Parikshit Sahni:

Though its his Dad (Balraj Sahni) who makes it to my favorites list more often, there is no denying that its the son who is way more handsome. With his sculpted features and strong bone structure, I’d say this face deserves the perfect 10 - before the 70s long-hair and food-n-drink caught up with him in the mid-70s, that is.

9. Rishi Kapoor:

Not the typical candidate in the hunk-stakes – too baby-faced and almost girlishly pretty. But just watch him in action in a 70s film (or an early 80s one) – he smiles and you want to smile back, he dances (way more gracefully than any of his contemporaries or predecessors) and you want to jump up too! Plus, can any other actor carry off spangles and frills (or any other apparel) with more élan? The answer is a resounding NO!

8. Vijay Arora:

When we talk of the big stars of the 70s, his name does not crop-up. His biggest claim to fame is Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973) – a film that is more famous for Zeenat Aman and Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko. And I wonder why… He was so good looking in a clean-cut, preppy way and had a very charming smile, too.

7. Rajesh Khanna:
Before the 70s craze for long hair went to his head, and stayed there for us to see, he was one very good looking actor. His best-looking period? Before 1972! Yes, that is a very narrow window of handsomeness, but he was an even bigger hit with women than Hrithik Roshan. Ergo, one cannot neglect his contribution in the eye-candy field.

6. Sanjay Khan:

Not the best of actors, but certainly one of the best looking actors in the 70s. Best expressions? The good-looking earnest look and the rakish smile.

5. Naveen Nischol:

He always reminds me of a Mills&Boon hero – the quintessential tall-dark-and-handsome man in business suits. He combines that with a boyish smile and a gravitas that makes for a very attractive package, indeed.

4. Dharmendra:

Jaya Bhaduri called him a “Greek God” and Saira Banu thought he looked Italian. AND he is the only Bollywood star who has an entire film dedicated to worshipping at his shrine. Need I say anymore? He may be Jat yamla pagla deewana (crazy Punjabi), but he is also one gorgeous hunk, with to-die-for legs.

3. Vinod Khanna:

What does one say about his hunkiness? Good looks? Check. Great figure? Check. Swashbuckling style? Check. Tall-dark-n-handsome rating? 10 on a scale of 0 to 5. This collage, compiled by friend and blogger-extraordinaire Beth, says it all…

2. Shashi Kapoor:

Strictly speaking – he’s not in the same hunk category as Vinod Khanna, or contestant #1, Kabir Bedi. But he’s so very handsome, with that perfect profile and chiseled features. And he has the rare ability to look debonair in brightly patterned shirts and fluorescent scarves! Quite the classical beauty, in fact. Of course, all this fades from your mind when he brings on that crooked, dimpled smile of his. Oh! before your smile makes me forget, Shashi, I hope you mean to skip the swim-suit round.

1. Kabir Bedi:

This man has it all. He doesn't stop at mere good looks, he sizzles with sex-appeal. What more does one need to know? That he makes the hirsute look heavenly? That he grew better with age? That none of his competitors stand a chance when he enters the swim suit round? Its too bad that there are more controversies than movies around from his golden days…

Now that you’ve met all the contestants, bring your voting hat out. Get cracking and support your favourite. Let the best man win!

Edited April 30, 2010:
The votes are in!

• Shashi Kapoor: 19%
  
• Dharmendra: 18%
  
• Vinod Khanna: 18%
  
• Kabir Bedi: 11%
  
• Rishi Kapoor: 9%
  
• Rajesh Khanna: 9%
  
• Naven Nischol: 6%
  
• Sanjay Khan: 5%
  
• Parikshit Sahni: 5%

(I forgot to add Vijay Arora to the poll!)