Seventeen years ago, on November 9, 2007, Sanjay Leela Bhansali launched Ranbir Kapoor as a dreamboat in Saawariya. The film met with a mixed response but gave us a young actor to root for. Over the years, Ranbir has shown his flair as a romantic lead in a variety of characters with their distinct idiosyncrasies. Here are six lover boy roles that Ranbir did post-Saawariya that are a treat to watch.

Sid in Wake Up Sid (2009)

Soon after his big Bollywood debut with Saawariya, Ranbir took on the role of a young man who’s not yet ready for adulting — which gets in the way when he falls in love — in Ayan Mukerji’s Wake Up Sid. As Siddharth ‘Sid’ Mehra, Ranbir breathed life to a carefree, privileged college-goer in Mumbai who learns to be a responsible adult after he befriends Aisha (Konkona Sen Sharma). Unlike traditional romantic heroes, Sid is relatable for his imperfections — he’s lazy, immature and directionless at first but rises to the occasion when Aisha challenges him to find purpose.

Jordan in Rockstar (2011)

In Rockstar, directed by Imtiaz Ali, Ranbir plays Janardan Jakhar aka Jordan, a naïve college boy who becomes a celebrated rockstar, fuelled by his intense, tumultuous love for Heer (Nargis Fakhri). Heer is his muse, and Jordan is passionate both in love and in his music-making but also self-destructive. He experiences the highs of deep connection as well as the lows of heartbreak, both of which he channels into his music. Ranbir masterfully captures the angst, the longing and the madness of a man consumed by love, making Jordan an iconic romantic character.

Barfi in Barfi! (2012)

Ranbir’s delightful turn as the deaf-mute Murphy ‘Barfi’ Johnson in Anurag Basu’s Barfi! will remain a milestone in his filmography. Barfi communicates through gestures, and his playful expressions and innocence win over Shruti (Ileana D'Cruz). Their friendship ends in heartbreak for Barfi, who later finds love and companionship in Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra), who has autism. Ranbir’s ability to express a wide range of emotions made Barfi an unforgettable romantic hero in an unconventional love story that shows love has no barriers.

Bunny in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

Ayan Mukerji and Ranbir Kapoor collaborated for the second time for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, in which Ranbir played the quintessential free bird that never wants to settle down. Ranbir’s Kabir Thapar, aka Bunny, is driven by his wanderlust and dreams of making it big as a photographer. The idea of being tied to the home and hearth is anathema to him, and is also the reason why he backs off every time his path crosses his ex-college mate Naina Talwar’s (Deepika Padukone). As the story progresses, Bunny’s need for deeper connections and to belong comes to the fore, and in an act of vulnerability he finally expresses his love for Naina. Bunny became an instant hit with millennials for the way the film mirrored the complexities of modern love.

Ved in Tamasha (2015)

Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha is arguably one of Ranbir Kapoor’s most nuanced performances as Ved, a man caught between the expectations of society and his artistic self. Ved’s journey is one of self-discovery, sparked by a brief romance with Tara (Deepika Padukone) during a trip to Corsica. When they meet again years later, Ved has already sacrificed his artistic aspirations at the altar of familial obligations and the daily grind of a corporate job. Tara cannot quite connect with this mechanical Ved and breaks off, which triggers a meltdown in Ved that finally leads him to free himself from the shackles of others’ expectations and pursue the artist in him.

Ayan in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)

Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is a modern take on unrequited love featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Ayan Sanger, a young man caught in a one-sided love for his best friend, Alizeh (Anushka Sharma). Ayan struggles with his feelings over a long stretch of time, during which he also gets into a live-in relationship with Saba (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) but which doesn’t quite make up for his desire for Alizeh. Ranbir’s portrayal of Ayan is raw and heartfelt, capturing the essence of unreciprocated passion and the painful acceptance that not all love stories are meant to be.