Why Zayed Khan as Lucky in Main Hoon Na still remains the OG college heartthrob of Bollywood!

As Zayed Khan celebrates his birthday today, let's revisit his most iconic character, Lucky from Farah Khan's Main Hoon Na, and relive the nostalgia!

There is no dearth of memorable college romances in Bollywood- the unbelievably gorgeous campus, model-sque students, and equally ravishing teachers, constituting the films that are rightly accused of setting unrealistic expectations about life in academia for us. Since the early 2000s, Hindi cinema has consistently defined the idea of a college heartthrob through several vibrant characters. However, there is something about Zayed Khan’s Lucky from Main Hoon Naa that cannot be matched. 

It's been over two decades since the movie was released, and yet Lucky still manages to reign over our hearts. There was something special about Major Ram’s (Shah Rukh Khan) younger brother that influenced an entire generation, as Lucky wasn’t just a character, but an embodiment of the word ‘cool’ thanks to his perfectly highlighted hair, baggy cargo pants, and signature swag move. But that’s not all that made him the OG college heartthrob in our collective Bollywood memory. There were layers to his personality that made him strike a chord with the viewers as he was the right mix of a rebellious spirit, a certain boy-next-door charm, and a sense of vulnerability that made us admire him even more. 

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Bollywood’s new age idea of  Mr. Popular in high school or college largely relies on the character having perfectly chiseled abs, styled in high end fashion brands who ride expensive vehicles to college and have no chink in their armour. However, our good old Lucky didn’t need any of those to be iconic. He made a generation of girls instantly fall for him by just rocking those streaks and long, flowing locks that became rage back in the day. The hairstyle was rounded off by his iconic headband—a combination that every teenager secretly wished to pull off as effortlessly as he did. His fashion, too, was swoon-worthy with baggy pants, open shirts, and stylish vests that served as a masterclass in early 2000s casual chic. It was a statement, a mood, a whole vibe that complemented his carefree spirit.

Lucky was a flawed character, he wasn’t the sharp-witted guy who topped his exams or won every race or competition he participated in. He failed his classes, cheated in races, and had awkward but enthusiastic dance moves (Watch Chale Jaise Hawaiyein, Gori Gori) that only added to the relatability of his character of a kid just wanting to have fun, and that's precisely why we loved it. Another aspect that touched our hearts was his wholesome bromance with Major Ram. Right from their initial friction to the hilarious misunderstandings, and finally the endearing bond, their dynamic was pure gold, one that we aspired to share with buddies and siblings of- course!

Lucky's journey from a perpetually flunking and irresponsible college kid to someone who understood the value of family and love was a delight to watch. The scene where he surprises his mother (Kirron Kher) sporting short hair, parting ways with his beloved long locks beautifully conveyed the 180-degree change in his personality. His growth arc was subtle but impactful, proving that even the coolest kids can mature.

Lets be honest, whenever Main Hoon Na airs on TV during weekends, we make it a point to re-live the nostalgia, even if it’s for a few scenes and each time Lucky appears on screen, he makes sure to put a smile on faces through his killer looks, innocent shenanigans and unfailing style that takes us back to the simpler times where our only concern was taking care of our attendance and assignments. 

So, here's to Zayed Khan and our own Lucky- May your legacy continue to reign supreme in the hearts of millions of Bollywood fans, and you return to the big screen with a bang!

 Many Many Happy Returns of the Day!

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