Chand Mera Dil: ‘Aarav’ Lakshya Emerges As Bollywood’s New Heartthrob, Signals A Rise In Soft Masculinity

For decades, Bollywood heroes were defined by action-driven, alpha personas. But that narrative is shifting. Enter Lakshya, who, after showcasing intensity in Kill, is embracing vulnerability in Chand Mera Dil. Moving away from dominance to emotional openness, he represents a new-age romantic hero and the rise of soft masculinity in Bollywood. Here’s why Lakshya is the perfect poster boy for Bollywood’s new era of soft masculinity. Scroll down to read more.

The New Romantic Hero: Lakshya & Bollywood’s Soft Masculinity Era

Historically, Bollywood’s romantic alpha male established his presence through dominance, demanding attention and redefining the terms of romance. Characters like Ranbir Kapoor’s Ranvijay in Animal claimed women as territory to be won or defended. In sharp contrast, Lakshya’s screen presence in the songs of Chand Mera Dil is defined by a gentle, receptive warmth.

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In the recently released track Khasiyat from Chand Mera Dil, our hero’s interactions with Chandni (played by Ananya Panday) are built on soft eye contact, shared giggles, and casual, everyday intimacy. This involves lounging on the college campus, exchanging glances in the classroom, or putting in those extra efforts to match in color-coded outfits. There is no protective “shadow” on Ananya Panday. Instead, there is a string of mutual, sweet infatuation that the couple is tied to. When they sit close, he doesn’t tower over her in a display of strength. He leans in, making himself smaller and more accessible, signaling that vulnerability is his greatest asset.

What makes Lakshya’s character a compelling reflection of contemporary soft masculinity is his openness to emotional vulnerability. The film’s songs and teasers trace a romance that begins with youthful energy but gradually confronts the complexities of adulthood, most evident in the heartbreak-driven song Aitbaar. Unlike the traditional alpha hero who reacts with anger or aggression, Lakshya’s portrayal leans into a more internalised, deeply felt grief, allowing him to break down, while also respecting Chandni, choosing restraint over rage.

Lakshya Redefines Love With Vulnerability

Additionally, his eyes carry a soft, bruised longing in the title track, sung by Faheem Abdullah, showing a young man who is not afraid to look lost, overwhelmed, or visibly hurt by the changing syllabus of life. By allowing his character to be emotionally dismantled by circumstances rather than fighting them with a fist, Lakshya cements a new era for the Bollywood romantic hero. Aarav knows that true strength lies in the courage to feel, to break, and to love without a shield.

This stands in sharp contrast to the traditional alpha male heroes Bollywood has long celebrated. Characters in films like Kabir Singh or even earlier romantic dramas often equated intensity with aggression, where heartbreak translated into anger, possessiveness, or self-destruction. Love, in those narratives, was loud and often overpowering. Lakshya’s approach, however, feels different.

Chand Mera Dil Champions For A New Definition Of Love

The film’s tone, echoed in its tagline, “Pyaar mein thoda paagal hona hi padta hai,” redefines what it means to be ‘crazy’ in love. Here, it isn’t about toxic obsession or losing control. It’s about emotional surrender. Lakshya’s character shows that vulnerability can coexist with strength. He doesn’t dominate love. He experiences it fully, even when it hurts. This willingness to be emotionally open, to sit with heartbreak rather than lash out, positions him as a new-age romantic hero—one who represents the growing space for soft masculinity in contemporary Bollywood.

Chand Mera Dil signals the return of a romantic hero who makes his partner feel safe, rather than threatened by his love. Instead of directing anger towards the woman, his instinct is to protect her with quiet strength and restraint. Through this portrayal, Lakshya brings soft masculinity back to the forefront, one that values respect, hence encouraging a healthier representation of love on screen.

About Chand Mera Dil

Chand Mera Dil is presented by Dharma Production and produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra, and Marijke deSouza. Directed by Vivek Soni, this film is scheduled for a grand worldwide theatrical release on May 22, 2026. The film’s release is highly anticipated, especially given the promising musical lineup and the engaging performances of the lead actors.

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Also Read: Chand Mera Dil Song Khasiyat Out! Lakshya, Ananya Panday Light Up The Screen In This Breezy Feel-Good Love Track- Watch

Sonali Singh

Sonali Singh watches films like it’s a job (and honestly, it kind of is). Currently pursuing her Master’s in Communication and Journalism, she lives somewhere between deadlines and movie scenes. If it’s Bollywood, she’s already invested—films, drama, and all the gossip included. When she’s not writing, she’s either dancing her heart out like no one’s watching or trying to mimic people, proving that not all talents are meant to be discovered.