India, June 6 -- 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 heart and fire emojis 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. Women from Dehradun to Dhaka (and as far away as Toronto) are simping, the way they only do for romantic heroes.

Ahlawat, 45, has a new movie out. Jewel Thief sees him playing a crime lord, overseeing a Rs.500 crore diamond heist. His look is slick: Gelled-back hair, intense green lenses, gold chain...