Jaideep Ahlawat has played both mafia boss and avenging cop. But lately, he's been giving off Pedro Pascal energy. How does he play it soft, sensitive, smouldering and sexy all at the same time?

Jaideep Ahlawat is not your typical leading man. Sure, he's 6'1", has dreamy eyes and a brooding face. But it's not in a dipped-in-chocolate, gym-chiselled, Insta-ready way. And yet, his Instagram page (@JaideepAhlawat) is bursting with simps in the comments.

- Kritika Kapoor

Jaideep Ahlawat is not your typical leading man. Sure, he's 6'1", has dreamy eyes and a brooding face. But it's not in a dipped-in-chocolate, gym-chiselled, Insta-ready way. And yet, his Instagram page (@JaideepAhlawat) is bursting with simps in the comments. "Your looks scream raw masculinity!!!" writes one woman, under a slideshow of him in a tux. "You've activated my daddy issues," adds another young lady.

Ahlawat, 45, has a new movie out. Jewel Thief sees him playing a crime lord, overseeing a ₹500 crore diamond heist. His look is slick: Gelled-back hair, intense green lenses, gold chain, jacket unbuttoned to his midriff. But he has surprisingly fluid dance moves too. No one had "Ahlawat pulls off a Vicky Kaushal-style dance number" on their 2025 bingo card, but here we are.

On Twitter, a user named @Vanshicant sums up Ahlawat's spot in the zeitgeist well: "idk how to explain, but to me Pedro Pascal and Jaideep Ahlawat give off the same exact vibes". You see it, don't you? Both actors have played rugged, macho roles, but are just as convincing when they've played self-assured, introspective characters. They exude confidence without arrogance, and charm without trying too hard. They're vulnerable. They laugh.