Is he the Next Big Thing in Bollywood?

And for all their youthful vigor and stylish demeanor, Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan, can't pass off as campus Lotharios either.

Clearly, Bollywood is suffering from a short supply of 20-something heroes. Nonetheless, a dynamic bunch of Gen X actors is working bit by bit its way to the top.

rediff.com takes a look at this steadily emerging boyzone.

Ranbir Kapoor, 25

Claim to fame: In his own words, Rishi and Neetu Kapoor's charming son 'dropped the towel' for his debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya and 'kissed three girls' in Yash Raj Films' Bachna Ae Haseeno. And if his fast-growing female following is any indication, the Kapoor lad is doing just fine.

In-the-pipeline: Rajkumar Santoshi's Ajab Pyaar Ki Gajab Kahani (Katrina Kaif) and Ayaan Mukherjee's Wake Up Sid (Konkona Sen Sharma).

Imran Khan, 25

Claim to fame: Aamir Khan's cute-faced nephew has made waves in his first film itself. The youthful Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na has not only made him a campus hottie but also established the Madison-born's credentials as an actor to watch out for.

In-the-pipeline: Sanjay Gadhvi's Kidnap (Sanjay Dutt, Minissha Lamba), Soham Shah's Luck (Sanjay Dutt, Shruti Haasan), Abhinay Deo's Delhi Belly.

Shahid Kapur, 27

Claim to fame: Despite the nagging comparisons to Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid is working sincerely towards carving his own niche in the industry. After a promising debut in Ishq Vishk and a much-hyped split with former girlfriend Kareena Kapoor, the handsome hot stepper appears to have found his bearings in feel-good fare like Jab We Met and Kismat Konnection.

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n-the-pipeline: Ahmed Khan's Paathshaala (Ayesha Takia), Satish Kaushik's long-in-the-making Milenge Milenge (Kareena Kapoor).

Harman Baweja, 27

Claim to fame: Love Story 2050 was designed to make Harman Baweja the next heartrob of Bollywood. Its abysmal performance however crashed the Baweja dream. The good-looking actor, however, need not fret. He's still got a few second chances in his kitty to prove his worth.

In-the-pipeline: Ajit Pal's Victory (Amrita Rao), Anees Bazmee's It's My Life (Nana Patekar, Genelia D'Souza) and Ashutosh Gowarikar's What's Your Raashee? (Priyanka Chopra).

Neil Nitin Mukesh, 26

Claim to fame: Fetching features, stylish stubble and tremendous screen presence, Neil Nitin Mukesh made everyone sit up and notice with Sriram Raghavan's racy crime caper, Johnny Gaddar. Going by his unconventional debut, the super selective young man should have some surprises up his sleeve.

In-the-pipeline: Sudhir Mishra's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny (Soha Ali Khan),Jeh Surti's Freeze (Bipasha Basu) , Kabir Khan's untitled venture (John Abraham, Katrina Kaif) and Madhur Bhandarkar's Jail.

Kunal Khemu, 25

Claim to fame: Whether it was his prankster ways in Hum Hain Rahin Pyaar Ke or poignant turn in Zakhm, Kunal Khemu -- the child actor -- did rather well for himself.

As a grown up too, Khemu has shown tremendous growth displaying his mettle as a deft and versatile artist in an array of films like Kalyug, Traffic Signal, Dhol and Superstar.

In-the-pipeline: Umesh Shukla's Dhoondte Reh Jaoge (Soha Ali Khan), Puneet Sira's Jai Veeru (Fardeen Khan, Mehak), Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK's 99 (Soha Ali Khan).

Srk and Salman are seniors and worked their way up and agree with article abit old to play young lover boys as such now.

ranbir and imran are def gona rock bollywood..and shahid shouldnt be in the list..bus yess..he is damn good...