Rohit Saraf Is The Internet's New Soft Boy Obsession—And He Knows It

There’s a particular kind of man the internet can’t resist—gentle-eyed, well-dressed, emotionally articulate, and the type who would text you “reached home?” after a date. Rohit Saraf is that man. The 28-year-old actor has quietly—and now quite loudly—become India’s reigning soft boy, an unlikely heartthrob whose rise from streaming sweetheart to mainstream leading man says a lot about what this generation wants in its heroes.

It started, as many Gen Z crushes do, on Netflix. In Mismatched, the teen rom-com based on Sandhya Menon’s When Dimple Met Rishi, Saraf played Rishi Shekhawat—a hopeless romantic who wears his heart (and his sweaters) on his sleeve. The show may have polarised critics, but Saraf’s Rishi didn’t. Across fancams, stan edits, and thirst tweets, he became the face of a new kind of desi dreamboat: one who is secure in his masculinity.

For a streaming generation raised on emotionally unavailable movie heroes, Rishi was revolutionary. Saraf wasn’t just playing a romantic lead—he was redefining what one could look like. His appeal felt achievable yet aspirational, like the boy next door who somehow has perfect skin and reads poetry.

Rohit Saraf’s Rise From Side Character To Centre Stage

Saraf’s ascension didn’t happen overnight. Before he was everyone’s crush, he was everyone’s favourite supporting character. He played the sensitive younger brother in Dear Zindagi (2016), the grieving son in The Sky Is Pink (2019), and the romantic wildcard in Ludo (2020). Each role was small but memorable, the kind that made you say, “Who is that guy?”

Then came Mismatched, and everything changed. Overnight, he became the poster boy of soft masculinity. His Instagram flooded with fan edits, his interviews were dissected for “green flag” energy, and social media started calling him the “nation’s crush.”

And Saraf, ever the self-aware Gen Z heartthrob, leaned into it—just the right amount. He posts dance reels, puppy pics, and smiling selfies with captions that sound like they were ghostwritten by serotonin itself.

 

 

 

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Rohit Saraf Finally Goes Big Screen

2025 marked Saraf’s transition from the cosy world of OTT into the chaos of mainstream Bollywood with Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. Starring alongside Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor in Shashank Khaitan’s candy-coloured romantic comedy, Saraf was no longer the “cute friend”—he was a full-fledged scene-stealer.

His performance as the charming yet slightly clueless suitor was everything fans love about him: earnest, endearing, and just self-aware enough to be funny. Even in a film packed with stars, Saraf’s presence was magnetic—the audience didn’t just root for him; they went gaga over him. It was the cinematic equivalent of your favourite indie artist suddenly selling out arenas—and still managing to make it feel intimate.

Don't miss: Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari Box Office Collection Day 1: Varun-Janhvi Film Makes Rs. 9 Crore Amid Stiff Competition

 

 

 

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Rohit Saraf Is Dancing His Way Into Everyone’s Hearts

Of course, it’s not just the acting. Saraf’s dancing has become a cultural event in itself. Whether he’s performing at an awards show or posting rehearsal clips online, he moves with an easy fluidity that feels both polished and playful. Fans dissect his every twirl; his dance videos rack up millions of views within hours.

In a film industry that’s long equated masculinity with muscle, Saraf’s movement—graceful, loose, joyful—feels quietly subversive. He doesn’t dance to impress; he dances to express. And the internet, predictably, is obsessed.

 

 

 

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Rohit Saraf Is The Modern “Green Flag” Hero

Saraf’s appeal lies in what he isn’t. He isn’t brooding. He isn’t aggressive. He isn’t trying to convince you he’s hot—which, of course, makes him even hotter. His characters (and by extension, his public persona) radiate empathy and warmth, a combination rarely granted to male leads in Indian cinema.

In interviews, he talks about self-doubt, vulnerability, and mental health without a trace of irony. He laughs easily, cries openly, and doesn’t mind being called “cute.” That kind of emotional fluency feels like a quiet revolution—one that’s making traditional Bollywood masculinity look, well, outdated.

Don't miss: Liked Mismatched Season 3? Here Are 3 Similar College Romance Shows You Must Watch

 

 

 

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The Rohit Saraf Era

With Mismatched now cemented as a Gen Z comfort show and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari proving he can hold his own in a big-ticket rom-com, Saraf stands on the brink of true superstardom. He’s that rare performer who can toggle between streaming sincerity and box-office spectacle—and make both look effortless.

But perhaps what makes him most compelling is that he still feels reachable. He’s the crush you could run into at a café, the celebrity who replies to fan comments with emojis, the heartthrob who hasn’t outgrown humility.

Rohit Saraf may not fit the traditional mould of the Bollywood hero—and that’s exactly why he’s the one everyone wants. He’s the antidote to toxic coolness, the human serotonin shot our timelines crave. And with every smile, dance step, and cardigan moment, he’s proving that nice guys don’t finish last—they trend.

Image courtesy: Instagram

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