6 Bollywood Romantic Heroes Who Were Actually Toxic
From obsession to manipulation, these popular Bollywood lovers weren’t as dreamy as they seemed.
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Bollywood has long been celebrated for its grand romantic gestures, swoon-worthy heroes, and fairytale endings. But if we take off the rose-tinted glasses, some of the most beloved romantic leads were far from ideal.
Beneath the charm, humor, and musical numbers lie disturbing patterns of obsession, emotional manipulation, and disrespect that should raise red flags rather than applause. Here are six iconic Bollywood romantic heroes who, despite their popularity, showcased deeply toxic behavior.
1. Badri in Badrinath Ki Dulhania
At first glance, Varun Dhawan's Badri is a lovable small-town guy with a heart of gold. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find a man who stalks, pressures, and emotionally blackmails Vaidehi into a relationship. His idea of love initially revolves around control rather than consent. While the film tries to redeem him through personal growth, the early signs of toxic masculinity are hard to ignore.
2. Ayaan in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Ayaan (played by Ranbir Kapoor) is the ultimate friend-zoned guy who just can’t take no for an answer. His relentless pursuit of Alizeh, even after she makes her boundaries crystal clear, turns his unrequited love into emotional manipulation. His sense of entitlement to her love, paired with guilt-tripping and obsession, paints a disturbing picture of modern romantic expectations.
3. Kundan in Raanjhanaa
Dhanush’s Kundan is the poster child of problematic love. He stalks Zoya from childhood, self-harms to gain her sympathy, and meddles destructively in her life when rejected. Kundan's toxic obsession is passed off as unwavering devotion, a dangerous narrative that glorifies emotional instability and lack of consent.
4. Maddy in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein
Many viewers remember RHTDM as a cult romantic classic, but Maddy (R. Madhavan) is essentially a liar who deceives Reena into falling for him by assuming a false identity. What follows is emotional manipulation disguised as charming persistence. Even when caught, he portrays himself as the victim, playing into a dangerous trope that excuses deceit in the name of love.
5. Bunny in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Ranbir Kapoor’s Bunny is carefree, spontaneous, and driven—but he’s also emotionally unavailable and dismissive of Naina’s feelings. He ghosts his friends for years, only to return and expect forgiveness without real accountability. His fear of commitment and inability to value relationships are glamorized, even though they show a clear lack of emotional maturity.
6. Rahul in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) may have been the king of 90s romance, but his treatment of Anjali is problematic. He friend-zones her while mocking her femininity, only to fall for her years later when she conforms to conventional beauty standards. His sudden change of heart isn’t romantic—it reflects shallow standards and a lack of respect for who she truly was.
Bollywood has given us unforgettable love stories, but it's time we reexamine what we glorify on screen. Many of these "romantic heroes" modeled toxic traits that should never be idealized in real life. Healthy love thrives on respect, honesty, and boundaries—not manipulation, deceit, or emotional games. As audiences become more aware, perhaps future love stories will reflect romance that’s not just dreamy, but also truly respectful.