New Delhi: This year, the viral trend of “women in male-dominated fields” took over the internet. And, it is arguably the perfect way to describe the noticeable shift: women unapologetically thirsting over male celebrities.
While Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan (his younger version, of course) remained favourites, 2025 saw the internet move beyond its comfort zone and borders.
From Pedro Pascal being crowned Daddy I’d Like to F*** (DILF) of the Year 2025 to Akshaye Khanna leaving fans weak-kneed with his entry set to the Bahraini track ‘FA9LA’ in Dhurandhar, male objectification reached new heights.
Here is a recap:
1. Pedro Pascal
When Pedro Pascal showed up at the Cannes Film Festival in a simple, breezy black tank top, the internet promptly lost its mind. Instagram feeds overflowed with thirst posts as his Greek-god biceps did most of the talking, and complemented that Calvin Klein look. Soon enough, over a hundred posts declared, “God created men and sent Pedro Pascal as an apology.”
As if that wasn’t enough, Pascal was declared DILF of the Year 2025 by @archivedilfs, a social media account dedicated to the world’s sexiest daddies, sealing his status as the internet’s favourite heartthrob. But his appeal goes far beyond muscles and memes. Whether it’s his gentle, respectful rapport with female co-stars, his long-standing love for female beauty, for example, his admiration for manicured nails, or his goofy, fun and flirty side in interviews, Pascal won hearts in 2025.
But what truly sets him apart is his unapologetic activism. From wearing “Protect the Dolls” T-shirts in support of trans rights to openly criticising Donald Trump, Pascal never shies away from his values.
Good looks and a spine, what else do women want?
Also Read: Himesh Reshammiya to Akshaye Khanna—ThePrint Comebacks of the year
2. Ishaan Khatter
Ishaan Khatter walking shirtless along a beach with his horse in Netflix’s The Royals was enough to make collective jaws hit the floor. The 30-year-old swept audiences off their feet as Prince Aviraaj Singh, and it was nearly impossible to look past those sculpted abs. Many felt that it was the only good thing in Priyanka Ghose’s directorial.
Khatter has a knack for appearing just often enough to set the internet on fire, whether it was last year’s bold magazine cover shoot where he stripped down to his underwear, or moments like this, before disappearing again.
After flaunting his chiselled physique and effortless flirtation in The Royals, he switched gears. And, returned with a meaty character and a performance-driven role in Neeraj Ghaywan’s critically acclaimed film Homebound. He told fans that there is more to him than what meets the eye.
By every measure, this was Khatter’s year. One minute, we were obsessing over his looks. The next moment, we were applauding his versatility and growth as an actor.
3. Jonathan Bailey
Jonathan Bailey, the first-ever openly gay actor, was crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2025, a title that sent the internet into a meltdown, in the best way possible. The 37-year-old actor has such effortless, sizzling chemistry with literally everyone he shares the screen with.
The title celebrates the British actor’s charm and charisma. Between his swoon-worthy performance as Viscount Anthony Bridgerton in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton and his scene-stealing presence in Wicked: For Good, Bailey left the internet drooling.
Social media platforms like X and Instagram were filled with fan edits and thirsty posts; some fans even questioned how one man is able to have chemistry with almost everyone.
Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan’s Met Gala look to Orry’s lobster bag—biggest fashion moments of 2025
4. Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected Mayor of New York City and the first Muslim to hold the office, became a viral internet sensation, especially among Indians. His victory over high-profile opponents was more than just a political headline.
It created social media chatter as people were obsessing over his youthful energy, authenticity, and unfiltered style.
Mamdani emerged as the internet’s fan-favourite politician — with his good looks, intelligence and zeal for change, he soon had people swooning over him.
A part of the internet’s fascination came from moments that weren’t political at all. For example, when the 2004 film Dhoom’s title track ‘Dhoom Machale’ played after his victory speech.
From memes and fashion comparisons to fan threads, the internet treated Mamdani not just as a political figure but rather as its latest boyfriend.
5. Akshaye Khanna
Just as the year was about to end and the internet’s usual thirst traps had slipped into sweaters, Akshaye Khanna arrived with a surprise no one saw coming.
His arrival was out of syllabus; sure, he didn’t flex his abs or muscles. Instead, it was his all-black look, commanding presence, and a viral dance moment from Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar that sent social media into a frenzy.
As Rehman Dakait, Khanna’s dance performance, in particular, sparked a trend of memes, reels, and also comparisons to Bobby Deol’s ‘Jamal Kudu’ moment from Animal.
Many crowned Khanna’s understated swagger the superior feat.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)