Singer and actor Ali Zafar has reclaimed his title as the sexiest Pakistani on the planet and rounded off an action packed year that included his hit home production Teefa In Trouble. The multi-talented superstar finished eighth overall in the globally renowned 50 Sexiest Asian Men in the world list and showed once again why he is Pakistan’s biggest global male star. “I’m humbled and thankful yet again. Big shout out to all the fans who voted,” said Ali Zafar.
The 15th edition of the globally popular list put together by UK based Eastern Eye newspaper had a strong Pakistani contingent. The annual list based on votes from fans around the world, heat on social networking sites and media attention also generated massive global interest. Millions from around the world voted and helped the list trend on social media once again. Eastern Eye’s award-winning Entertainment Editor Asjad Nazir, who founded the list and compiles it annually, thinks Ali Zafar, has been an impressive international ambassador for Pakistan. “A singer, songwriter, musician, actor and producer, Ali Zafar has been a global trailblazer for over a decade now and showed Pakistanis that no dream is impossible. This year he gifted his country a game-changing movie with Teefa In Trouble and once again raised the bar for everyone else,” said Asjad Nazir.
Sensational South Korean super group BTS were crowned the sexiest Asian men on the planet and snatched away the top spot from last year’s winner, Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor. The highest new entry of 2018 stormed the long running list and rounded off what has been an incredible year by entering at the top spot. No Asian on the planet made a bigger impact in 2018 than the brilliant seven-member band from South Korea. “BTS brought together diverse cultures from around the world in a way no Asian celebrity ever has. They smashed through glass ceilings, broke down cultural barriers and built bridges of hope around the world with their marvellous music. The brilliant band also made people think by highlighting social initiatives, promoting self-acceptance and their Love Myself campaign. All of this is inspiring a new generation and subsequently making them the sexiest celebrities on the planet,” said Asjad Nazir.
Indian television actor and star of hit TV serial Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki; Vivian Dsena came in second and gave full credit to his dedicated army of fans. “I feel honoured and blessed to have fans like I do. I can’t thank them enough for their support and for voting. This is what makes me work hard every time. God bless them always,”said Vivian Dsena.
Last year’s winner Shahid Kapoor held onto his title of the sexiest Bollywood star on the planet and ranked third. Two times winner Zayn Malik came in fourth, Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan ranked fifth and rapidly rising television star Mohsin Khan ranked sixth. Dashing actor Gurmeet Choudhary ranked seven.
One of two editor’s choices of the 2018 list is Akshay Kumar, who made the top 10 for the first time and ranked at number nine. The A-list Bollywood star made a stunning contribution to women’s rights in India with his universally acclaimed film Pad Man. “The actor showed that male sexiness is empowering women. With his critically acclaimed film Pad Man and by becoming a brand ambassador for a sanitary pads brand Akshay Kumar perhaps did more for women’s rights than all the men in the list combined. He shone a light on women’s health and the result was steps towards real change,”said Asjad Nazir.
The Top 10 is completed by the only sportsman in the list, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli.
The youngest in the list for a second year in a row is Pakistani singer/songwriter Danyal Zafar (40) and the eldest is 66-year-old newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan (48). Other men of Pakistani origin in the list are Fawad Khan (12), Imran Abbas (23), Riz Ahmed (33),Hamza Ali Abbasi (43), Atif Aslam (46) and Fahad Mustafa (50).
Others in the 20178 edition of the list include Ranveer Singh (11), Salman Khan (14), Nakuul Mehta (16), Varun Dhawan (18), Shah Rukh Khan (25), Ranbir Kapoor (29) and Sidharth Malhotra (45).
